I really enjoyed this one. I liked that it took a couple of turns. Even when it went the direction you expected, it usually did it with a bit of a twist. The initial prank was well done. It's easy to see how that could unnerve the teacher, and unnerved she was! It was enjoyable to see her go on her killing spree. I think I would have preferred if she were more sane and got away with it, but it was still good. I have mixed feelings about the guy getting away with it, but that's also why I kind of appreciate this ending more than the typical slasher film. It makes you feel very ambiguous if not hostile toward the final guy.

Hell High takes some time to get going but the ‘toxic masculinity’ exiled football player setup has more depth than some slashers.

Interesting for the kids to dress up as monsters for the prank – bringing old school horror tropes into the prank and slasher era. There’s no pretense and we have full access to the unmasked killer and her childhood traumas (naked in more ways than one) while it’s the victims behind masks (assuming the bully kids are victims). I wish there was more slashing earlier in the film and despite the setup the teacher's snapping seems like an incredible leap. The staring out the window was a way open conclusion ripe with lots of opportunity for reinterpreting the film; which overall feels like there's more depth to it than originally lets on even if that doesn't cater as much to slasher/horror scares and gore.

The wide shots often at high or low angles gave Hell High a crisp well produced look (maybe Arrow’s transfer is a credit). The reeds are scenic.

I thought this was going to be a standard slasher and was pleasantly surprised.

If you're bored (or if you're not bored and want to be!), I wrote a review of this a few months back. I really enjoyed it too!

Lots of setup and I’d hesitate calling it a slasher, but this was decent.

Great review Adam!

Agree with most of the thoughts in this thread. A solid film that surprises at points and a step above what I expected given the era. At one point I feared it was going to be mostly campy/comedy, but it took some dark turns and doesn’t really have a hero.

Mother told me there would be days like this.... Almost through, and digging it so far. That big dude is really paranoid about leaving fingerprints, but he is touching everything in the house. Went in expecting one thing, and got something else.

Every teacher in this is so bad! lol Not just the cray-cray one--who never would have survived at any decent school, but also her substitute and the coach. Coming from a family of teachers, that stood out to me.
The character of Dickens was so awful. Yikes.
They really took some unexpected turns with this script. It was a decent 80's film I'd never seen before, and I enjoyed it. 3/5

A solid, under rated late 80's slasher. A great story, good characters and some really nasty kills.
8/10

The pencil kill on the stairs is a simple kill but shot artfully enough it's a standout.

Anyone spot the motorcycle stunt driver in blackface?