Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2008)

63% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(2,341 ratings)

Consumed by rage after watching his family get viciously slaughtered by a demonic beast, an angry plumber receives a chance to redeem himself after inadvertently unleashing an ancient evil. As a young boy, Jack Brooks' entire life was forever changed during a fateful camping trip. Having survived… More Consumed by rage after watching his family get viciously slaughtered by a demonic beast, an angry plumber receives a chance to redeem himself after inadvertently unleashing an ancient evil. As a young boy, Jack Brooks' entire life was forever changed during a fateful camping trip. Having survived the slaughter by simply turning heel and running as fast as possible, Jack simply cannot forgive himself for allowing his fear to take over. These days, Jack (Trevor Matthews) is a local plumber with some serious rage issues. One day, while attempting to repair some pipes for Professor Crowley (Robert Englund), the hotheaded handyman awakens an evil the likes of which this world has never seen. Later, Professor Crowley is drawn to this evil energy, and compelled to consume a black heart that possesses his soul, and transforms his body. Now the evil has spiraled out of control, leaving one hapless, haunted plumber to finally harness his all-consuming anger for the powers of good, and face the forces of darkness that once robbed him of his entire family. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Jon Knautz
Written By: John Ainslie
Genres: Action & Adventure, Horror, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 9, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Oct 7, 2008
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon, Variety
Indie effort evidences more energy than wit, and spends too much time on set-up before a slam-bang pay-off.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer harks back to the drive-in classics of yesteryear with unapologetic nostalgia and undisguised affection.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Matthews is supposed to be the star here, but it's Englund's hilarious, over-the-top performance that keeps Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer... from becoming another forgettable exercise in horror.
Bruce Demara, Toronto Star
Despite a game performance by Trevor Matthews in the lead, not much in this alleged comic/horror flick really succeeds as either funny or scary.
Jason McBride, Globe and Mail
With a Buffy-like title and a poster that recalls Bruce Campbell at his buffest, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer should have horror fans eager for a little low-budget monster mash chomping at the bit. They won't be disappointed.
William Goss, Cinematical
May not quite be the cult classic in the making that it so clearly sets out to be, but at least its influences and intent are always worn plainly upon its blood-stained sleeve.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
Tries so hard to be an instant cult classic, but it doesn't quite make the cut.
Tim Cogshell, Boxoffice Magazine
An old-school horror movie with nary a digital effect, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is about exactly what its title implies -- a dude named Jack, who slays monsters.
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
Manages to kick a copious amount of ass by breathing some much needed fresh air into the flattened lungs of our genre.
Anton Bitel, Little White Lies
a potentially duff idea (disgruntled plumber finds outlet for his anger issues by kicking monster butt) is elevated by the funniest character acting of the entire FrightFest 2008.
Blake French, Filmcritic.com
has the potential to spawn a successful franchise
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
A polite tip of the hat to Evil Dead and all things Buffy, this horror/comedy is lacking proper oomph in both categories, resulting in a movie of commendable purpose, but lackluster realization.
Chuck Wilson, L.A. Weekly
This low-budget horror comedy arrives via a lively trailer and a witty print ad, yet the film itself never quite takes off.
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
For about an hour of running time nothing much actually happens . . .
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
This old-school throwback to '80s era horror movies takes pride in the teen screams extracted by its goo-spurting, tentacled monster and his newly minted henchmen as they attack an unfortunate group of young college students.
Johnny Butane, Dread Central
...believe the hype for Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer; this is a fun, monster-filled movie that knows exactly what it wants to be and I hope only the first of many movies in what could easily be a really kickass franchise.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
For artistic representation, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer gets a near-perfect score, less so for its restrained sense of fun.
Brad Miska, Bloody Disgusting
MONSTER SLAYER is only the birth of Jack Brooks and I pray we'll see another dozen of these films in the future... You want laughs, action, blood, guts, slime, creatures and a kick-ass anti-hero? You'll find it all in JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Miraculously fusing the scary and ridiculous, 'Freddy Kreuger' Englund steals this show, whether steamed up from that bad plumbing, dealing with complications of male pregnancy, or weirdly delighting as the reluctant glutton just eating your heart out.
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
As refreshing as it is to see an entire 'genre' film without a single CG effect -- because they obviously couldn't afford one -- Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer doesn't bring much to the monster party to justify itself.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Directors C

[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Robert Englund is the best and funniest part of this horror comedy. It isn't consistently funny but once it takes off it's mostly mildly amusing. It's nothing groundbreaking but it takes a lot… More
[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Robert Englund is the best and funniest part of this horror comedy. It isn't consistently funny but once it takes off it's mostly mildly amusing. It's nothing groundbreaking but it takes a lot of pride in it's absurdity and I admire that. The make up and digital effects of the monsters is remarkably well done and the acting is very decent for an old school gorefest. It's quite nostalgic too and considering it's intentions; it's got some decent bloody kills.
Ken S

Really really underwhelming.
Bruce B

Another movie I expected more from after seeing the previews. Have had it on my desk in a pile of DVD's for about 8 months, after finally getting to it I was disappointed, as the best monster was the last one where the sequel will pickup in 2010. Jack is just a good old boy who… More
Another movie I expected more from after seeing the previews. Have had it on my desk in a pile of DVD's for about 8 months, after finally getting to it I was disappointed, as the best monster was the last one where the sequel will pickup in 2010. Jack is just a good old boy who has put up with enough shi* and he finally faces his demons. Its not really a horror film, more of a horror Comedy. Its a long way from Evil Dead or Cemetery man. but its worth 3 stars, Sorry Jack you disappointed me.
Dean !

A pretty cheesey B movie comedy horror. It's good in places but I started to get bored, it feels long even at 75mins. Slow to start but with a good end but not much to the story or plot. I was hoping for a lot more than this. On the plus side it has some very good old school make… More
A pretty cheesey B movie comedy horror. It's good in places but I started to get bored, it feels long even at 75mins. Slow to start but with a good end but not much to the story or plot. I was hoping for a lot more than this. On the plus side it has some very good old school make up effects and creature designs look good. One more for the horror fans, others may find it a little to slow.
jd c

Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer plays like a 90 minute episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the series), but with an entirely different cast and characters, minus the vampires. Still, they have so many similarities. The production value alone, along with the special effects, the acting,… More
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer plays like a 90 minute episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the series), but with an entirely different cast and characters, minus the vampires. Still, they have so many similarities. The production value alone, along with the special effects, the acting, the funny humor, the over the top action with a touch of silliness...all play off like some horror series that would play on the CW. Sh*t, I wish this movie would have some sort of spin-off. Then I'd have 2 favorite horror shows at the moment, one being "Supernatural". Hell, Jack Brooks would have been a HIT if they aired it on CW, UPN, FOX...whatever channel, this movie would rock as a late night TV fright flick. While watching this you should, without a doubt, be in that certain mind frame. Go into Jack Brooks expecting nothing more than a TV horror-series-like show. Because as a Hollywood, big budgeted, box office smash like other theatrical horror films, Jack Brooks is too tame and very silly, it's too ridiculous and cheap to be anything other than a campy, bundle of gooey TV-like joy. I mean I know this had a limited theatrical release, and well deserved in my opinion, but than again this wouldn't appeal to most mainstream movie goers. I guarantee if they were to air Jack Brooks as a movie, or perhaps a pilot in hopes of returning as a series, and play it as a Halloween-season-like premier on television, it would have triple the amount of fans. In 10 years from now I can see this would be the kind of horror movie a 20 year old would hold dear to his heart. You know? Like the certain cheesy horror movie you loved when you were a ten year old, but when you watch it now, no matter how silly it is, it brings you back to a special place in time. Jack Brooks is that kind of movie. It's nothing more than a creepy good time of cheap silly fun. If you take this movie serious, then you're missing the whole point. As a slapstick, goofy and entertaining horror film it succeeds on every level. It's nothing more than that. Think of this as Army of Darkness meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer(but with the budget of Buffy)...works for me! Highly entertaining and fun. Must be in this sort of state of mind though. I hope to see Jack Brooks kick more monster ass in the future. Well done. <img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/JackBrooksMonsterSlayer.jpg"> "Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is one of 2008's very finest genre features." - Fangoria "A fun popcorn movie to watch with friends and have a good time with. It's one of the better Independent horror movies I've seen this year." - The Horror Review "You want laughs, action, blood, guts, slime, creatures and a kick-ass anti-hero? You'll find it all in Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer." - Bloody-Disgusting "A nice little monster-slaying treat." - Upcoming Horror Movies "This is a fun, monster-filled movie that knows exactly what it wants to be and I hope only the first of many movies in what could easily be a really kickass franchise." - Dread Central
Steve K

Fun, low budget, knowing B-movie with some great (if unbelievable) effects. Most of the action resides in the beginning and the end of the film, but it's short enough that aficionados won't mind. Englund is wonderful.
Robert C

If you go into this thinking of it as an "homage/spoof" of every bad horror films from the 80's...then you might enjoy this. The premise is fun but (intentional or not) the bad acting and cheesy special effects go from "kitchy fun" to annoying, fairly… More
If you go into this thinking of it as an "homage/spoof" of every bad horror films from the 80's...then you might enjoy this. The premise is fun but (intentional or not) the bad acting and cheesy special effects go from "kitchy fun" to annoying, fairly quickly. Really makes you appreciate the introduction of CGI into film, which (when done properly) can do wonders for a film.
Phil H

This is actually pretty good stuff :) the main character does slowly turn into an Ash type towards the end of the film but thats ok it still works. The whole thing is a cheesey, tacky monster mash with hammy acting...yet its really good fun. The effects are good in places but dodgy in… More
This is actually pretty good stuff :) the main character does slowly turn into an Ash type towards the end of the film but thats ok it still works. The whole thing is a cheesey, tacky monster mash with hammy acting...yet its really good fun. The effects are good in places but dodgy in others...the best being the makeup on the freshly turned monster zombies and the worst being the huge blob demon that Robert Englund turns into ;) The film does take time to get going...it can be boring to be honest, with only the last 30min being the good stuff, but its worth the wait and I wouldnt mind seeing a sequel :) A modern day evil dead style horror.
_kelly .

The story is about a 3 star (for horror), but the production effects are so great that I HAD to give this four stars. This is a FUN creature feature with some wicked awesome monsters and an interesting protagonist who is not annoyingly cocky, but instead empathetically emotional.… More
The story is about a 3 star (for horror), but the production effects are so great that I HAD to give this four stars. This is a FUN creature feature with some wicked awesome monsters and an interesting protagonist who is not annoyingly cocky, but instead empathetically emotional. This is a fun get smashed Friday night movie for gore freaks, and it would scare the crap out of a kid or lightweight. I imagine if I saw this before I developed my scare immunities, I wouldn't sleep comfortably for a few days - that's how great the makeup is. I'm a huge proponent of practical effects, which is probably why I like this movie so much. The first two acts are mostly exposition, and then the concluding twenty-five minutes is all monster fighting. During the fight, Jack does some foolish things like discard his weapons constantly, then when the next monster attacks him, has to struggle to find another makeshift weapon (and this gag is pulled at least three times). I thought compared to earlier outbursts, the actor didn't showcase Jack's rage when it came to fighting the monsters, and it's not just because the monsters dwarf his aggression with their growls. I think the actor was trying to inject some fear into Jack, but it just came off as Jack wasn't in his uncontrollable anger mode. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel and hope they don't lapse into using loads of CGI, as the practical makeup/fx was the meat of the movie. I like how bits of the creatures' anatomy mimics the aesthetic of plumbing and pipes, which is Jack's porfession (in particular, their blood looks like dirty pipe sludge). Also worth mentioning is Robert Englund's performance. He does a great eccentric professor. Once his character is affected by the monster heart, his body language is just astounding as if I was watching a person actually possessed.
A.D. V

The make-up and monster FX are completely amazing featuring NO CG at all (and if there was it was so minute I couldn't tell). The production design, score etc are all above par but the problem lies in its pacing. After a solid first 20 minutes it sloooows...way...down and… More
The make-up and monster FX are completely amazing featuring NO CG at all (and if there was it was so minute I couldn't tell). The production design, score etc are all above par but the problem lies in its pacing. After a solid first 20 minutes it sloooows...way...down and doesn't pick back up again until the last 20 or so. Still it's better than most and both director Knautz and the FX team should be sought after because they show alot of promise and skill.
John M

"Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer" is a completely unpretentious and entertaining throwback to B-cinema, and despite the fact it'll never be regarded as a classic, it's warmly recommended viewing for all fans of the horror genre
Robert F

If it were made in the '80s, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer would be a cult classic by now.
Juny L

This Canadian monster flick wasn't doing for me.Not much of a story here,but what really sucks is the dialog,annoying characters & the acting wasn't that good.It really takes an hour before anything interesting happens,the most entertaining stuff with monsters was left… More
This Canadian monster flick wasn't doing for me.Not much of a story here,but what really sucks is the dialog,annoying characters & the acting wasn't that good.It really takes an hour before anything interesting happens,the most entertaining stuff with monsters was left for the last 25-30 mins of the film.I give credit to the people involved with the traditional effects,but can't say much positive things about this campy & silly film.If you like films like Troll,Ghoulies & few other monster flicks of this kind,then your will have fun with this one.I doubt if i will like to see a sequel. <div style="width:400px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos?p=11817501"><img src="http://content7.flixster.com/photo/11/81/75/11817501_ori.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">Flixster</a> - Share Movies</div></div>
Sean L

I definitely had a fun time with this low budget but high production value monster flick. While it was clearly very cheap, nothing from the performances to the cinematography to the effects are notably bad. Some of the effects seem a little silly, but I am easily able to forgive… More
I definitely had a fun time with this low budget but high production value monster flick. While it was clearly very cheap, nothing from the performances to the cinematography to the effects are notably bad. Some of the effects seem a little silly, but I am easily able to forgive them because they are inventive and fun, not to mention PRACTICAL. I'll take a goofy puppet over some retarded CGI any day. I don't know if this will be a classic like Evil Dead, but I look forward to a sequel and maybe a franchise. P.S. This is not a guilty pleasure. It is a genuinely good film.
Jason R

I bought this on a whim just because I thought the premise was cool, and I love Robert Englund's work, and I was pleasantly surprised! This is a definite must see for anyone who truly enjoys the horror genre, as the film reminds me a lot of The Evil Dead films, in that it is a… More
I bought this on a whim just because I thought the premise was cool, and I love Robert Englund's work, and I was pleasantly surprised! This is a definite must see for anyone who truly enjoys the horror genre, as the film reminds me a lot of The Evil Dead films, in that it is a gory, funny, and great thing to watch over and over again.
ken j

When out on a camping trip with his whole family a young Jack Brooks watches them get brutally murdered by some kinda monster fast forward now and Jack is now a young man but with alot of problems a grilfriend that wont stop buggin him, therapy sessions that lead to nowhere and stuck… More
When out on a camping trip with his whole family a young Jack Brooks watches them get brutally murdered by some kinda monster fast forward now and Jack is now a young man but with alot of problems a grilfriend that wont stop buggin him, therapy sessions that lead to nowhere and stuck takening night classes that dont even hold his interest that is untill his professor unleashes a ancient curse and turns into something not so human now Jack must fight to keep him and his classmates alive by confronting his past and unleashing his inner anger. This movie was really good not to be taken serious at all has some of that comedy/horror feel too it but a nice way to waste sometime
Nicky M

Old School 80's style B-Movie comes direct to DVD in 2008 with obvious Evil Dead influences. The movie slows down too much after the opening scene, but the last 20-30 minutes rock! Horror/comedy that pays homage to the movies I loved (still do) and goes totally retro as if CGI… More
Old School 80's style B-Movie comes direct to DVD in 2008 with obvious Evil Dead influences. The movie slows down too much after the opening scene, but the last 20-30 minutes rock! Horror/comedy that pays homage to the movies I loved (still do) and goes totally retro as if CGI didn't exist. LOVE the makeup on the possessed students and laughed at how bad some of the other FX were (just like my fave 80's horror). I realize now how much I missed real makeup and effects and THAT is why I appreciate this one!
Patrick D

I felt a little mislead initially, but in the end it unfolded the best it could have. All in all it's cheesy monster flick that loves and is inspired by the great cheesy horror flicks that came before it. Think early Jackson and Raimi type stuff, only slightly toned down. Robert… More
I felt a little mislead initially, but in the end it unfolded the best it could have. All in all it's cheesy monster flick that loves and is inspired by the great cheesy horror flicks that came before it. Think early Jackson and Raimi type stuff, only slightly toned down. Robert Englund, really played his part well. It bums me out however that parts of this were filmed in Ottawa, the city I live and I had no idea... missed a chance to meet Freddy. eff!