My quick rating – 4.9/10. I’ve seen slasher movies, sometimes at a summer camp, and then there’s Cheerleader Camp. A film that looks at both of those ideas and says, “What if we added pom-poms, mascots, and a welcome amount of topless distraction?” The concept alone deserves a slow clap. A murder mystery set at a cheerleading camp where even the mascot gets screen time? That’s either genius or a late-night dare that somehow got funded.

The setup is pure ‘80s comfort food. Alison (Betsy Russell) is our troubled lead, haunted by nightmares as she heads into an all-state finals training camp. Naturally, those nightmares start blending with reality once people start dropping like flies. Is she losing her mind? Is she the killer? Or is this just another case of “everyone here is suspicious because the script said so”? You already know the answer is “yes,” to all.

Let’s address the elephant in the cabin. This movie is far more interested in hormones than horror. The “camp” feels less like a training facility and more like a very loosely supervised excuse for characters to remove clothing at a moment’s notice. Not that I’m complaining. This is practically a time capsule of late ‘80s sleaze, but it does mean the actual slashing takes a backseat to…well, bouncing. The filmmakers clearly had priorities, and terror wasn’t one of them.

And the cast, which feels like it was assembled while flipping through a Playboy. You’ve got Teri Weigel popping up as Pam (yes, that Teri Weigel – blink and you’ll miss her being clothed), Rebecca Ferratti thrown in for good measure, and somehow Leif Garrett wanders in as Brent like he got lost on the way to the unemployment office. Meanwhile, George “Buck” Flowers shows up and does what he always does. Quietly steals scenes just by existing.

But the true MVP? Lucinda Dickey as Corey the gator mascot. Yes, really. The Breakin’ star spends this film in a gator suit, and somehow that’s not even the weirdest thing happening. That alone should tell you exactly what kind of flick you’re in for.

In other words, Cheerleader Camp succeeds where it matters. B-grade production, bad acting, and all those beautiful, practical effects that make you realize just why the ’80s were great in this genre. Unfortunately, there aren’t any really impressive kills in here. If you’re looking for the creative gore, you’ll probably have to hold your horses while it switches back to skinny dipping.

Dream scenes are definitely a highlight. Concentrating on Alison’s jealous and paranoid attitude, along with just enough weirdness to make it entertaining. The problem is that the ending seems rushed, as though the writers finally remembered they had forgotten to add one. No fanfare, no real payoff. Just a cheer and roll credits.

Is this a “good” slasher? Not even close. But is it FUN? Absolutely! If your definition of fun includes low production values, baffling character decisions, awkward dialogue, and a soundtrack that sounds like it escaped from a broken boombox. It’s the kind of movie you throw on, expecting insanity, and get exactly that.

Cheerleader Camp isn’t winning any trophies. But as a bizarre, cheer-filled fever dream of the ‘80s slasher era, it definitely earns its place on the watchlist. Just don’t expect the horror to cheer very loudly.