Watch Psycho Stripper

Psycho Stripper is a 2019 thriller directed by Jake Helgren and starring Karissa Lee Staples, Tyler Johnson and Mark Hapka. The movie follows the story of a young woman named Brittany, played by Staples, who is desperate for money and takes up a job as a stripper. Things take a dark turn when she realizes that her co-workers have been disappearing one by one and there is a deranged killer on the loose.

The movie follows a typical horror/thriller format and starts with a prologue that sets the tone for the rest of the film. We see a masked figure, later revealed to be the killer, brutally murdering a stripper in a dimly lit backstage area. The scene is bloody and intense, serving as a warning for what’s to come.

The plot then shifts to Brittany, a struggling student who receives a college bill she cannot afford to pay. In a moment of desperation, she answers an ad to become a stripper at a local club called “The Bloody Mary”. Brittany, much to her surprise, discovers that stripping is not all fun and games, as she must deal with harassment, drugs, and her creepy boss, who has a penchant for young girls.

As the days pass, Brittany becomes friends with a few of her co-workers, including Dustin, played by Tyler Johnson, who is also a student trying to make ends meet. Meanwhile, as more strippers start disappearing, Brittany begins to suspect that something sinister is going on.

Throughout the movie, there are several red herrings that try to throw off the viewer from guessing the identity of the killer. Many of the male characters are portrayed as aggressive and untrustworthy, adding another layer of suspense to the film.

While Psycho Stripper follows a predictable plot, the performances by the central cast are impressive. Karissa Lee Staples does a great job portraying Brittany’s vulnerability and naivety, as well as her descent into paranoia and fear. Tyler Johnson’s Dustin is a typical love interest, but he delivers his lines with charm and likability.

Mark Hapka as the club owner, Tony, is outstanding, portraying a slimy and manipulative character who can’t keep his hands off his employees. Another standout performance is that of Rikki Lee Travolta as one of Brittany’s co-workers, the seasoned stripper Candy. Travolta’s character is a highlight of the movie, providing comic relief in an otherwise dark film.

One of the criticisms of Psycho Stripper is its lack of character development. While we get to know Brittany a little bit, most of the supporting cast remains underdeveloped. This sometimes makes it difficult to care about the secondary characters who get killed off.

The production value of Psycho Stripper is adequate, with the club setting being suitably sleazy and the lighting adding a layer of grimness to the atmosphere. The soundtrack of the film is also worth mentioning, as it captures the tension and suspense of the thriller genre with its haunting, eerie score.

Overall, Psycho Stripper is a fun and entertaining thriller that delivers on its promises. It’s a movie that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not and knows its audience. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it’s a worthwhile watch for horror/thriller fans, particularly those looking for a film with a feminist edge. Despite its flaws, Psycho Stripper is a commendable work for its genre, and a step in the right direction for women in horror films.