Watch April Fool's Day

April Fool's Day (1986) is a horror-comedy film that centers around a group of college students who gather for a weekend of fun and relaxation at a luxurious mansion on a secluded island. The film is directed by Fred Walton and stars Deborah Foreman, Griffin O'Neal, and Clayton Rohner. Muffy St. John (Deborah Foreman) has invited a group of friends to her family's private island for a fun-filled weekend. The group includes Hal (Jay Baker), Nikki (Deborah Goodrich), Harvey (Tom Heaton), Nan (Leah Pinsent), Chaz (Clayton Rohner), Rob (Ken Olandt), Skip (Griffin O'Neal), and Kit (Amy Steel).

As the group settles into island life, Muffy reveals that she has programmed a series of pranks for her guests to enjoy. However, when the pranks turn deadly, the friends find themselves fighting for their lives.

The atmosphere of the movie is light-hearted in the beginning as the friends arrive on the island and enjoy Muffy's elaborate pranks. The mix of personalities and relationships within the group provides ample opportunity for youthful shenanigans, and the lush surrounding scenery of the island adds to the carefree nature of the opening.

However, as the night grows darker and the pranks take a sinister turn, the atmosphere becomes more eerie and unsettling. Deceptions, secrets, and betrayals within the group are revealed, adding to the terror that mounts as the characters begin to realize that this deadly game may not be a game at all.

The plot keeps the viewers guessing as it leads them through a series of twists and turns. The filmmakers create an air of suspense and tension that maintains a grip on the audience throughout the movie. The cinematography is top-notch and helps convey the mood of the film in a way that is both compelling and ominous.

One of the most striking things about the movie is its use of misdirection. It seems obvious from the outset that this group of friends is not who they seem to be, and the film uses this as a way to keep the viewer guessing. The way the story unfolds is very clever, and it manages to twist and turn in unexpected ways while still maintaining a sense of narrative consistency.

The acting in the movie is also commendable. The chemistry between the cast members is palpable, which makes their interactions on screen feel natural and believable. Foreman, who plays the hostess Muffy, stands out as the standout performer, bringing both charm and menace to her role.

Despite being a horror film, April Fool's Day also has a healthy dose of humor. The jokes and gags that fill the first half of the movie provide plenty of comedic relief, but the humor never feels out of place, and it serves to make the horror elements even more effective.

The film's ending is very satisfying, providing closure to the story while still leaving enough ambiguity to allow viewers to draw their own conclusions. It neatly ties up all loose ends and gives the viewer a chance to reflect on what they have just seen.

Overall, April Fool's Day is a highly entertaining horror-comedy that combines elements of suspense, tension, and humor in a way that is both effective and engaging. The mix of playfulness and horror creates a unique and memorable viewing experience that still holds up well today.

April Fool's Day is a 1986 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 49.