Graduation Day

Graduation Day is a slasher horror movie that was released in 1981. Directed by Herb Freed, the film stars Christopher George, Patch Mackenzie, and E. Danny Murphy.

The story takes place in a high school, where a young girl named Laura dies during a track meet. Her teacher, Mr. Michaels, takes responsibility for her death and is forced to resign from his position. Soon after, Laura's classmates start to receive threatening phone calls from a mysterious person who claims to be seeking revenge for her death.

As graduation day approaches, the tension escalates, as it becomes clear that someone is targeting the students and staff of the high school. The killer wears a black track suit and has a talent for wielding a sharpened fencing sword. The police are unable to catch him, which puts the school's students and staff in grave danger.

The protagonist of the story is Anne, Laura's sister. She is a talented runner and is determined to find out who is behind the murders. Anne enlists the help of her boyfriend, the school's football captain, and her father, who is a police officer. As they work together to unravel the mystery, they encounter a number of suspects, including a creepy custodian, an angry coach, and a bitter rival of Laura's.

Graduation Day is a classic slasher movie, with all the requisite elements of the genre. There are plenty of suspenseful moments and jump scares, as well as some bloody and gruesome scenes. The film has a gritty, low-budget feel, which adds to its charm. The cast delivers solid performances, with Christopher George standing out as the tough-but-fair police officer.

One of the things that sets Graduation Day apart from other slasher movies is its focus on character development. The film takes the time to introduce us to each of the main characters, giving us a glimpse into their lives and relationships. This makes the suspenseful moments all the more impactful, as we have invested in the characters and care about what happens to them.

Another notable aspect of Graduation Day is its depiction of high school life in the early 80s. The film portrays the social dynamics of a typical American high school, with jocks, nerds, stoners, and popular girls all making an appearance. The soundtrack is also worth mentioning, featuring a mix of pop hits and funky disco tunes that perfectly capture the era.

Despite its flaws (including some clunky dialogue and cheesy special effects), Graduation Day is an enjoyable and entertaining horror flick that will satisfy fans of the genre. It has all the elements that make for a classic slasher movie, including a mysterious killer, likable protagonists, and plenty of suspense and scares. If you're in the mood for some 80s nostalgia and a good old-fashioned horror movie, Graduation Day is definitely worth checking out.