Blood, guts, and retro racism in 'brute 1976'

Set against the backdrop of America's bicentennial celebrations, 'Brute 1976' is a gory, retro-styled slasher film that attempts to weave together politics, social commentary, and good old-fashioned gore. Unfortunately, the end result is a messy, uneven affair that fails to deliver on its promise.

Exploiting nostalgia, but missing the mark

Opening with a chainsaw-wielding maniac and referencing the classic 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre', director Marcel Walz clearly leans into the exploitation genre. The film follows a group of fashion models, including a black heroine and LGBTQ+ characters, as they embark on a photoshoot in the desert town of Savage – a locale with a violent, inbred history.

At first, the inclusion of diverse characters seems like a welcome change for the traditionally white and heteronormative horror genre. However, any potential subversiveness is quickly overshadowed by the film's reliance on over-the-top violence and crude humor.

The body count rises as the fashion crew faces off against a cast of backwoods psychopaths, with kills that are more silly than suspenseful. The filmmakers also take aim at toxic masculinity with a villain who collects body parts, but the execution feels awkward and heavy-handed.

In the end, 'Brute 1976' feels like a missed opportunity to truly challenge or comment on the social and political landscape of the time. Instead, it settles for a shallow, throwback exploitation flick with more gore than grit.