Bitch Ass

Bookended by Tony Todd in academy ratio acting as a sort of Crypt Keeper he speaks direct to the audience about the likes of Blacula, Bones, Tales from the Hood and Candyman, whom he says we are all familiar with but probably not with Bitch Ass the first black serial killer to wear a mask. And so the film is cast.

Needing to pass an initiation test to get themselves into a local gang. An old lady has passed away reputedly leaving a fortune and with only her son left whom they believe is simple, its seen as a formality. But as these things go it is anything but with the masked serial killer Bitch Ass (Tunde Laleye) capturing each one and forcing them to play a game that could save their lives.

Needless to say, the odds are stacked against them as one by one they play Operation with a real cadaver, a giant Connect 4 with a guillotine, battle ships with planes and knives, you get the picture. However Bitch Ass is nothing if not fair and he too gets a stabbing if the current goes against him.

The origin of the killer and the games with links to the thieves, parents and gang leaders is very nicely compacted through flashbacks to the 80’s showing some disturbing bullying, that in some respects is more unpleasant than the contrived game kills.

With imaginative use of the screen via changes of ratio and split the games played taken more of a dynamic look and threat. With the players displayed on screen via animated cards when they are playing with Bitch Ass and with a big red cross when they lose. The screen can appear quite busy at times with the illusion that it is all a game.

The cast are very good, especially the banter the four thieves share: Belle Guillory, Kelsey Caeser, A-F-R-O and Teon Kelley who as Q is the conflicted one with prospects that the others don’t have or they don’t care. There’s always one and while it’s a bit of a cliché doesn’t harm the film. All in all, Bitch Ass is a very impressive debut feature from Bill Posley co-written with Jonathan Colomb.