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Last Straw (2023) – Horror Movie Review

Last Straw (2023) Directed by Alan Scott Neal – A Horror Movie Review by Mark Walker

Last Straw (2023) - Horror Movie Review
Last Straw (2023) – Horror Movie Review

Last Straw (2023), A Horror Movie Review by Mark Walker

***Some very mild spoilers for Last Straw beyond this point***

Nancy Osborn (Jessica Belkin) is young and should have the world at her feet, but she is stuck in a Podunk town, attending community college while managing the family owned diner that she seems to hate. She’s sorely missing her dead mum, seemingly resents her dad (Jeremy Sisto) and is apparently hellbent on alienating almost everyone she around her; especially co-worker Bobby (Joji Otani-Hansen) who clearly is very much in love with Nancy.

Maybe the unexpected baby she finds herself pregnant with at the start of the film will give her a new desire for life? Maybe, although as it is only really mentioned in the first 5 minutes and the last 30 seconds it feels like a convenient macguffin that could have been dropped completely. And made no difference to the movie. There are maybe a couple of call-backs to the pregnancy. But I never really felt that it was used as a plot device to drive Nancy’s actions. 

But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Last Straw (2023) - Horror Movie Review
Last Straw (2023) – Horror Movie Review

As the film starts, Nancy is tasked with the nightshift at the Fat Bottom Diner while her dad goes out on a date, much to her chagrin. Did I mention she’s bitter towards him and everything? Morning sickness and local thugs causing trouble push Nancy to the edge. And she takes it out on her co-workers, firing one of them and pushing the others away so she ends up the only member of staff on site as the sun sets. 

When the moped-riding dicks from earlier reappear to terrorise her, Nancy is left fighting for her life and that of her unborn child. Which is still largely forgotten with the discarded pregnancy test thrown to the weeds at the start of the film.

Will she make it through the night?

Do you care?

Last Straw (2023) - Horror Movie Review Directed by Alan Scott Neal
Last Straw (2023) – Horror Movie Review

At 80 minutes it is hard to dislike Last Straw, it’s lean and fairly mean in places. And is a decent little slasher, lead with skill by Belkin. But that might be the main issue I had with the movie. She does such a good job with her character, that Nancy comes across as an asshole, angry at everything. Having a dead mum just doesn’t cut it these days to justify all of that behaviour. Nothing wrong with an unlikeable character, but in many instances, you might find yourself siding with the bad guys. Petey (Christopher M. Lopez) anyone?

But it’s not a deal breaker.

What might annoy you more are many seemingly ill-informed decisions and weird plot ‘twists’ and choices. Last Straw is a very good example of a movie where suspension of disbelief is an important skill. The are numerous questionable actions and some of the decisions and plot threads need the audience to be fairly relaxed about what they accept.

When Nancy’s dad gets a call that makes him think she might need help. His “but she’s my daughter’ response to his girlfriend is followed up by a pretty slow dash across town. Which takes long enough for the sun to come up and for Nancy to travel half way across town to seek revenge. The main plot twist can be seen coming, but it is still a decent twist. And a flash back approach to exposition is actually quite fun. It’s baffling, but fun.

Perhaps my biggest complaint about the movie is the reliance on the old “mental health=nutter” trope which is lazy and unfair. Again, it is not a deal breaker, but it feels like there would be plenty of alternatives. Or at least fill out the character a bit more. We perhaps don’t get to know the baddie enough to fully understand their motivations.

Oh, and, seriously people, if you have easy access to a gun, pick the damn thing up!!

But these are cheap shots. 

A movie like Last Straw is about tension and stabbing and it does a pretty good job in that regard. Between them, Sardoni and Neal have written and directed a fun slasher that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Even if you find yourself shaking your head at some of the choices their characters make. Of course, we all know, if we were in the same situation, we would be completely level-headed and make it out alive after beating the crap out of all the bad guys!

Last Straw is a decent little slasher that is worth a view for a solid performance from Belkin. Just don’t expect everything to make sense as characters make odd decisions. Just go with it and enjoy!

In today’s vibrant fan culture, enthusiasts of the highly acclaimed film, The Last Straw, find themselves deeply immersed in a world of creativity. This gripping movie features the indomitable Nancy Osborn. The heart-stopping scenes and the powerful narrative have sparked a wave of passion among the fans.


These dedicated admirers are eager to showcase their love and allegiance to the film and its beloved characters. They can make Acrylic Pins of their favorite characters. With a vast array of colors, shapes, and finishes at their disposal, fans can bring to life unique and eye-catching accessories that will serve as a constant reminder of the film’s impact and the characters they’ve come to cherish.

The Heart and Soul of Horror Review Websites Last Straw (2023) - Horror Movie Review
Last Straw (2023) - Horror Movie Review

Last Straw is streaming now from Blue Finch Film Releasing.

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