User reviews

An interesting film to say the least. The first act does well at establishing our characters however the main character we are meant to root for is kind of a careless, aggressive and obnoxious teenager. This makes it less enjoyable to watch as I found myself less invested. Act 2 saves this movie from getting around 4 stars, I really like the twist of who is behind the masks as I think it adds an interesting dynamic to the movie and shows how mental some people can become. If this twist was implemented into a higher budget and better written script I think the concept could've really been perfect.

Was the motive weak? Sure, but I'm guessing they were trying to show that substance abuse can make bad situations in life worse? However I don't believe substance abuse= automatically turn into a deranged psychopath that doesn't think about their consequences. I also like how act 2 kind of showed us the other side of the story and a bit of the villains backstory.

Act 3 was, well it wasn't great. It felt very rushed and a bit cheesy. It left quite a few plot holes and things in the air. I understand it's meant to be a silly slasher but wow do some of these characters make some awful decisions.

Overall I definitely think the movie is worth checking out, i guess it's quite unique for modern slashers but just don't get your expectations too high as in places the movie is downright awful.

I would have given this a 7/8 had it not been for the essentially braindead and completely unnecessary last 20 minutes. It's not the worst thing ever so would recommend giving this a view but the end was completely illogical. The acting was good, the story was good but the ending really spoils it. Everything that was built before was 'realistic' as far as a horror movie can be including decisions by characters etc but then they just decided to just mess it up by making the well woven main characters do things that completely takes you out of the movie and say 'wait, why, wtf'. The director could have done really well with this but decided to trope out.

Low budget does not always mean bad movie. I admire the guts of takes to put it all together let alone act and direct and so forth. However. Why make the lead character so unsympathetic and obnoxious? Dont you want the audience to sympathize and root for your lead characters? When you succeed in making them annoying AND stupid, no one cares about them. In some cases the audience may take the side of the bad guys. That is exactly what happens here. And this is BEFORE the reveals that are supposed to make our opinion change about the characters. Maybe some more script polishing was needed to bring this up to par. Still worth watching but couldve been better.

This was better than most "horror/slasher/thriller" movies that have been released in the last few years. Sure it's not perfect and there are plot holes everywhere but I think that's meant to be deliberate considering who the protagonists are (backwoods americans).

There are some decent twist and turns and the story is easy enough to follow if you pay attention and use your brain.

The main actress, Jessica Belkin, carries the movie with her performance and I thought suited the character nicely. The other actors all put in decent performances.

I think the other reviewers here are expecting some big hollywood production with the same boring storyline and cgi. It's a good movie and goes for a good length of time.

Last Straw'ss story is not entirely unique, there is a simple setup of a home invasion movie but instead of a normal house it's a Diner. Also the movie introduces a few things that I didn't expect but that weren't entirely unpredictable. The main character is flawed and it's a little bit hard to root for her but since she is making it through a very tough time in her life you get where her anger is coming from. But that doesn't explain her extremely stupid decisions throughout the movie. There were multiple scenes where she did something so dumb that a part of me just wanted to see her being killed. I don't mind when characters don't always make the most logical decisions since they are not sitting in front of a screen watching the movie, but instead are in a life threatening situation. But in this case it was really hard to root for her because of her constant stupidity. On the other hand there are also characters that just act unreasonable. This made it really hard to really concentrate on what was going on in the movie and therefore that effectively harmed the enjoyment of watching. Speaking of, I mostly enjoyed the movie and I was rarely bored which is nice. On a technical level the movie was also pretty solid and the acting was mostly pretty decent . However the final result is not to overwhelming and like I said at times you just want to slap some of the characters to come to their senses. [5,5/10]

What starts out as a 'siege' thriller develops into something rather original in its dissection into small midwestern lives of bored teenagers with nothing to do, ampted up on meds for bio polar and depression , smoking crack for release, and with limited funds; it also works as a pertinent tale of pranking gone wrong . Something young people should see and learn from!

It may bore those looking for gore and masked intruders looking to settle scores but that would be derivative , what it proposes is how these bored teenagers act- ok it ain't Rivers Edge but it's sharp and different.

The chilly photography and sparse soundtrack work well and whilst the title Last Straw works the (?) original title 'The Late Shift' works better.

Last Straw: Noirish film which segues into horror. We know from the opening scenes that there has been a massacre at a diner, then we go back 24 hours to find out how it came about. Nancy (Jessica Belkin) is having a bad day, she finds out that she's pregnant, her car breaks down on the way to work. When she gets to the diner owned by her father he tells her that she is also going to have to work the night shift (seeing as she is manager) as someone has called in sick. The day gets worse, mask wearing teens on mopeds harass her, bring roadkill into the doner, threaten that they will be back. She argues with the cook, sacks him. Now she will be alone on the night shift. As the night arrives the mask wearers return and freak her out, she calls the cops but the one that arrives is startled when she mentions mopeds. Then the real terror starts. Nothing is ever quite what it seems here as we observe the same scenes replayed from different points of view and more information is elicited. There are quite a few gruesome killings but Nancy isn't just a victim. Meat tenderisers, carving knives and pans of hot oil are quite effective as weapons. The results can be disturbing though and this is not a film for the squeamish. Hampered a bit by it;d low budget it nevertheless makes good use if the diner as a battleground and hunting area. A few interesting plot twists make this a Final Girl film worth watching. Directed by Alan Scott Neal, Written by Taylor Sardoni. 7/10.

As far as crime-horror-thrillers go...this isn't half bad.

Though, it's quite cliche.

The whole story takes place in, and around, a diner, run by a man and his daughter, in a small town, where oppourtunities aren't exactly omnipresent.

So, when a series of events leads to one of the employees getting fired...things get a little out of control.

Which is to say, an understatement.

As one thing leads to another...and violence ensues.

The whole thing is entertaining enough, but it's certainly not without it's faults.

Because, on top of ruining the mystery far too early...the "twist" is ridiculously implausible.

And kind of ruins the whole last bit of the film.

The film then ends on a note that- while it does make sense- really forces you to dig deep in order to grasp the meaning.

Which I feel flies over most viewers heads.

As it seems, almost randomly, thrown in as the conclusion.

That being said, it's not a horrible film.

Even if you don't "get" the ending...you can still be entertained by the violence-laden journey, in a mindless sort of way.

But it's definitely not great, either.

As, like I mentioned above, I think clarity will elude most viewers.

4 out of 10.

The first 30 minutes of this movie will grab your attention and it's super exciting. It's entertaining. There is a story.

You feel, wow this is a good movie. But then something happens after 30min and this movie crashes and burns. It's like after 30min they gave up on this movie.

After approx 30min you completely lose track of what this story is even about. The story is all over the place. Somewhere in the middle of this movie, you regret why you even started to watch this.

This movie had the potential to become an amazing movie, but it failed.

Nothing makes sense. So frustrating to start and watch a movie, you get super excited and it's an awesome movie, and you regret why you even started to watch this movie. You could have spent this time doing something better or watching something better.

The reason I'm giving this a 2-star rating and not 1, is due to the awesome 30 minutes of this movie. Thats it!

Ooooh man. This is a clever indie thriller that throws its audience into a nightmare shift at a roadside diner.

There is a brutality to the violence you rarely see in movies like this - it's not a hackathon slasher with tons of gore but something more interested in diving into the emotional weight that trauma and violence leave behind. I also loved the pacing, how quick and effective the opening scenes were to draw you in. It grabs you and it never lets go. Yes, it's a character we've seen before, in a genre we've seen before, but the director handles those tropes well. It's shot beautifully. It has a real rhythm. But the real star is Jessica Belkin. She brings such flavor to Nancy. Talk about rhythm. The dance! Yes!

I also loved seeing a "home" invasion thriller play out in a roadside diner. Super claustrophobic, slick lighting, and that darkness around the location makes you feel uneasy. It's like a living death trap.

This movie is gritty, dirty and unforgiving. If you're looking for a new take on "home" invasion that messes with your head, WATHC THIS. You won't be disappointed!

I just finished watching "Last Straw" (2023), and I must say, it's a hidden gem that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This indie horror movie is not your typical commercial fare, but that's what makes it so refreshing. The young and talented cast delivers a convincing performance, bringing to life a chilling story that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Gory and Entertaining

The film's pacing is well-balanced, with a perfect blend of suspense, gore, and entertainment. The special effects are impressive, making the horror scenes all the more believable and cringe-worthy. The director, who shows great promise, weaves a complex web of twists and turns that will keep you engaged and invested in the story.

A Promising Debut

What struck me most about "Last Straw" is its originality. The script is cleverly written, with a unique premise that sets it apart from other horror movies. The cast, comprising up-and-coming actors, brings a fresh energy to the film. The director's vision is clear, and it's exciting to think about what they might do next.

A Must-Watch for Thriller Fans

Overall, I highly recommend "Last Straw" to fans of the thriller and horror genres. Released in 2024, this movie is a great way to cap off the year. Don't be put off by its indie status - this film packs a punch and will leave you breathless. Watch and rate it yourself; I'm confident you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

This movie could have been so much more than it was. I've said it before, an unpleasant lead isn't a deal-breaker for me, but the unpleasant lead combined with the horrible music was nearly enough to make me turn this film off before it even started. Lazy writing produces foul-mouthed characters who only know sexual slurs to describe a whole variety of shortcomings and emotions.

The unpleasantness aside, lazy writing also led to the underutilization of the diner as a setting. Yes, the writers managed to squeak in some unique weaponry and protective gear during the fight sequences, but if Nancy had truly been a waitress and not an erstwhile manager, the tension could have been even greater without the horribly lazy writing surrounding Jake. A legacy? Who even says that at a diner? University students, maybe, are legacies. Not cooks. Anyhow, she could still have been the daughter of the owner. She could have stolen tips, browbeaten busboys, and yes, been put in charge when her dad went off and overstepped her bounds by firing Jake. Then, the resentment could have truly been real. That one change could have made for a much better ending, even with the ridiculous Sarah Connor resolution (who was at least a much better bad waitress than Nancy).

But the biggest problem with this movie was the laziness surrounding Nancy herself. She had a bad day. That's undeniable. Learning you're pregnant, not knowing the father, car dying, having to walk to the job that you hate--all that stuff piles on and makes for a bad mindset. It's a great setup for a person having an unusually bad attitude that brings on the bad behavior of others. But no, she was the epitome of the stereotypical small-town diner "waitress." She had a foul mouth and loose morals, she had a slovenly appearance and used drugs. Nancy was already horrible to Bobby before she found out that she was pregnant and it was clear that no one at the diner cared one bit for her. Even her best friend seemed to think very little of her. The message that the director seemed to be sending was that she deserved what she got but that she was a survivor deserved to conquer all. Oh, and if her dad went off, leaving her in charge without her even knowing about how the kitchen equipment worked, he also deserved what he got.

Three stars because I liked Bobby and because Petey made me laugh (I'm sorry).

After discovering that is pregnant, the waitress of the diner Flat Bottom Bistro Nancy Osborn (Jessica Belkin) drives to work but her old car breaks down and she needs to walk. She gets a bicycle ride from a co-worker and arrives late, and her father Edward Osborn (Jeremy Sisto), who owns the diner, calls her attention since he has just promoted her to manager. He assigns her to the night shift and goes to meet his girlfriend. When a group of masked teenagers driving mopeds arrives at the diner to disturb them with pranks, Nancy pretends to call the police, and the guys leave the place but promise to return later. However, the employees Jake Collins (Taylor Kowalski), his retar.ded brother Petey (Christopher M. Lopes), Bobby (Joji Otani-Hansen), who has a crush on her, and Coop (Michael Giannone) do not help her. They have an argument, and Jake offends Nancy and says that she is the manager only because the diner belongs to her father, and she fires him. During the night, Nancy stays alone and out of the blue, she is scared by masked men. She calls the police, but they are not able to immediately come since they are attending another case, and they believe it is a prank of teenagers. However, Sheriff Brooks (Glen Gould) arrives at the diner to calm Nancy down and does not give much attention to her. But when she mentions the mopeds, the Sheriff immediately asks her to go with him to his car since he has just come from a massacre of teenagers with mopeds. But he is killed by the masked man with a hammer and Nancy runs and hides herself. Who are the killers?

"Last Straw" (2023) is a gore slasher directed by Alan Scott Neal with an interesting screenplay divided basically in two parts. The first part follows Nancy, and the second part follows the crack-addicted killer and his crew and his slaughters. The subplot of the pregnancy of Nancy and the last scene are poor and a waste of time. The special effects with gore are great. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): Not Available.

Last Straw is pretty straight forward with no twists or turns as it's predictable. In fact I was able to predict what was to happen before it occurred. The movie is pretty realistic with it's violence and kill scenes. The problem I had with this film was that the story line was pretty linear throughout without much substance. I was looking and hoping for more but then sadly dissapointed. The movie kind of has a Strangers film vibe toward the beginning but then that quickly fades away when we learn who the major players are. Last Straw still manages to get more right then wrong in it's 90 minute run time. Last Straw gets a solid 6 stars out of 10 from me.

Imagine a mix of "Waitress" and "The Strangers" with a dash of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" thrown in for good measure. The whole movie takes place in this roadside diner, which gave it a really claustrophobic and creepy vibe.

The acting was actually pretty decent for a low-budget thriller. You really felt for the main character, Nancy, as she fought to survive the night. The plot had some twists and turns that kept me guessing, although a few things didn't quite add up. But hey, it's a horror movie, so a little suspension of disbelief is required, right?

Overall, "Last Straw" is a solid choice if you're looking for a suspenseful, bloody good time. Just don't expect a masterpiece of cinema. It's more about the thrills and chills than deep character development or anything like that. Grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and prepare to jump a few times!

Unfortunately, the biggest problem of this film is the writing that is made very badly, if we add the main character who is truly unpleasant and for this you cannot feed any sympathy for her this makes the script even worse with another type of character Main a little less antipathic and with a little more of the character I don't really like it, I make an example you have been with so many men who don't even know who your son is and this outlines a certain type of character but afterwards they show us That every time someone makes the witty or makes him a few jokes to tow it by telling him that she is beautiful she becomes an immaculate saint and gets angry as well, just say no there is no need to go from one extreme to another !! This thing does not make sense, however returning to the film there are a whole series of twists and turns that are very stupid almost teenage! I had great expectations for this film, I hope someone proposes something similar to us in future but written better and with a little more consistency !!

'Last Straw' got off to a bit of a dusty start. It started with a scene from 24 hours in the future and then took us back to find out how that situation came to be. This is a bit of a pet hate of mine. It's usually a sign that a film doesn't think its premise is strong enough to keep the audience interested and invested without it. The sad thing is that this film didn't need it.

There was also a dusty start in terms of setting the lead character up. Introducing her as pregnant (boy I hate that cliche in horror films) and then having her run through all the men that could be the father, and then stating nonchalantly that she will probably "kill it", was not the most endearing way to set her up (this all happens in the first 5 minutes of the film, so no fear of spoilers).

From there the film actually rights itself really well. It makes you think it will be one thing and then becomes another. It has some good levels of violence. The tension is well created and maintained for the majority of the film. The runtime was short and snappy and didn't give the audience any time to get bored. The villains were genuinely menacing. It was all good stuff.

I ended up enjoying this one a lot more than I expected to after the first 5 minutes or so. 8/10.

I know what you're thinking... who are these unknown players? Can an indie film really capture my attention for 1.5 hours or so? Should I actually watch "Last Straw"?

Watching this film, answers to these questions come easily. All great actors were once unknown. Indie films don't suffer from the propagandic branding so common right now. Yes, you definitely SHOULD watch "Last Straw".

Now you want to know why. The answer is again quite simple. Because.

You'll suspect the violent ending of this movie, but you want get it until you truly get it! In the back! WIth a bloody knife and a meat hammer!

Yeah, it's that kind of story. A young lady left alone to tend an overnight diner is vulnerable, but not without recourse. Take a moment to pop some corn and roast a dog, then watch this film - it might be YOUR "Last Straw"!