Slaughterhouse Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy old man and his pig-loving son use a meat cleaver and various slaughterhouse tools to convince persistent real estate agents and annoying teenagers that their property is NOT for sale.

🍿 Slaughterhouse: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Bacon Business is Failing

Lester Bacon, the aging owner of a local slaughterhouse, is facing foreclosure. His business is struggling against more modern operations. Local businessmen and county officials are pressuring him to sell his property, offering a low sum and a tight deadline to vacate.

Buddy’s Bloody Debut

Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, Lester has enlisted the help of his massive, mute, and mentally impaired son, Buddy, to handle the problem. Buddy, who has a disturbing kinship with pigs and is skilled with butchering tools, begins a killing spree targeting those trying to take the property. Initial victims include local teenagers who stumble upon the property and a deputy investigating their disappearance.

Increasing Body Count

As the number of missing people grows, Sheriff Borden begins to suspect something is terribly wrong. Meanwhile, a group of teenagers, including the Sheriff’s daughter, Liz Borden, decide to use the deserted slaughterhouse as a location for their amateur horror film during a town event. This brings them directly into the path of Lester and Buddy’s rage.

Showdown at the Slaughterhouse

The teenagers exploring the slaughterhouse soon realize the horror is real. They are systematically hunted by Buddy. The Sheriff also makes his way to the property, leading to a final confrontation with the deranged father and son.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Buddy Bacon (Joe B. Barton): The obese, mentally disabled son who serves as the primary instrument of his father’s deadly revenge.
• Lester Bacon (Don Barrett): The embittered slaughterhouse owner who directs his son Buddy to murder those threatening his business.
• Liz Borden (Sherry Leigh): The sheriff’s daughter and main teenage protagonist who becomes a target after her friends visit the slaughterhouse.
• Sheriff Borden (William Houck): Liz’s father and the local law enforcement officer who investigates the mysterious disappearances.
• Tom Sanford (Bill Brinsfield): A businessman attempting to acquire Lester Bacon’s property who becomes one of Buddy’s victims.
• Harold Murdock (Lee Robinson): Lester Bacon’s attorney and advisor who is among the first targeted for death.
• Skip (Erich Schwarz): A friend of Liz who participates in daring the group to explore the dangerous slaughterhouse at night.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lester Bacon: “Buddy’s a good boy, but he has what you might call basic hygiene problems.” – Lester makes an understated, darkly humorous comment about his son’s cleanliness issues after discovering Buddy has already killed two teenagers.
• Lester Bacon: “At least you made good clean cuts.” – Lester compliments Buddy’s butchery skills after seeing the brutally murdered bodies of the first two victims.
• Lester Bacon: “You’ve gone hog wild!” – Lester exclaims this to Buddy when he sees that his son has killed Deputy Dave, adding another victim to his growing tally.
• Lester Bacon: “A meat cutter like myself and Buddy here, we have the skills… like a surgeon.” – Lester chillingly explains their ‘expertise’ to Liz Borden, moments before demonstrating their methods.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $110,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Slaughterhouse Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘Slaughterhouse’ expecting some cheesy 80s gore, and that’s exactly what I got, plus a whole lot of weirdness. Buddy, the killer who communicates via pig noises, is just wild. And his dad, Lester, is equally unhinged. Watching them deal with nosy businessmen and clueless teenagers is oddly entertaining, even when the acting is… questionable. The slaughterhouse setting is pretty effective, all rusty and grim. Some of the kills are surprisingly gnarly for the era, like that infamous meat grinder scene. It’s not high art, but man, is it fun. It felt like a mashup of TCM and some weird rural comedy sometimes, which kept me watching. And that ending? Totally abrupt but somehow fitting for this kind of movie. Definitely one for the low-budget horror lovers.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1980s low-budget slasher films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate cult horror movies”
  • “Those interested in films influenced by ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'”
  • “Fans of unique or unconventional horror villains”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore (including bludgeoning, cutting, implied dismemberment)”
  • “Real animal slaughter footage (opening credits)”
  • “Depiction of a killer with a mental disability”
  • “Profanity”

Professional Reviews

• Inspired by User Review: “This low-budget 80s slasher clearly borrows from ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’, but leans into a bizarre mix of grim violence and goofy humor. While the plot is standard fare, the central duo of Lester and Buddy offer memorable, if uneven, performances. The gore is decent for the budget, and the slaughterhouse setting provides a suitably grimy backdrop. It’s a functional, if not exceptional, entry for genre fans.
• Inspired by User Review: “‘Slaughterhouse’ is pure B-movie cheese, and for fans of that particular flavor, it delivers. Don Barrett is a highlight as the over-the-top father, and Joe B. Barton makes for a unique, grunting killer. The pacing can be slow between kills, but the moments of violence are satisfyingly gory. It’s best enjoyed with friends who appreciate its formulaic charm and abrupt ending.

Audience Reactions

Buddy’s pig noises and general demeanor made for a surprisingly memorable slasher villain.: Many viewers found the film to be entertaining despite its low budget and obvious influences, appreciating the blend of horror and dark humor.

The practical gore effects, particularly the meat grinder scene, were highlights for gorehounds.: The slaughterhouse setting was frequently cited as a strong point, contributing effectively to the atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: A formulaic but fun low-budget 80s slasher that entertains fans of the genre with its memorable killer, gruesome moments, and cheesy charm, despite uneven acting and pacing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Actor Joe B. Barton, who played the hulking killer Buddy, was only 5’9″ and had to stand on a ramp or use camera angles in some scenes to appear taller than other actors.”
• “The opening sequence features authentic, unsimulated footage of pigs being slaughtered, which proved controversial and was heavily edited in some international versions.”
• “Director Rick Roessler has only this one feature film directing credit to his name, despite having plans for sequels.”
• “The film was shot on a relatively low budget, estimated at only $110,000.”
• “Actor Joe B. Barton reportedly did promotional radio interviews in character as Buddy, grunting and making pig noises.”

🖥️ How to Watch Slaughterhouse?

As of early 2024, ‘Slaughterhouse’ (1987) is available to stream for free on platforms like Vudu (with ads). For those looking to own a physical copy, the film has received DVD releases, including a notable restoration from Vinegar Syndrome. You may also find it available for purchase or rental on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, depending on regional availability. Due to its cult status, searching specific genre distributors is recommended for high-quality physical media.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Slaughterhouse, you might like these similar films:

• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): A foundational influence featuring a secluded, dysfunctional family of rural killers who use butchery tools on their victims.
• Motel Hell (1980): Combines rural horror, a family involved in meat processing, and dark, often morbid humor.
• Friday the 13th (1980): An iconic 80s slasher featuring a series of gruesome kills and disposable teen characters in a secluded location.
• Wrong Turn (2003): A modern take on rural horror, involving mutated cannibals preying on unsuspecting visitors to their secluded territory.
• Blood Diner (1987): Also stars Joe B. Barton and shares ‘Slaughterhouse’s’ low-budget, gory, and darkly comedic B-movie aesthetic.

🛒 Slaughterhouse Related Products

• Slaughterhouse (Vinegar Syndrome Limited Edition Blu-ray): Experience the film in a stunning new 2K scan with extensive bonus features including interviews, commentary, and behind-the-scenes footage.
• 80s Slasher Film Collection (Digital or Blu-ray): A curated collection of cult classic slasher films from the 1980s, featuring similar themes and styles to ‘Slaughterhouse’.
• Buddy the Pig-Man Replica Meat Cleaver Prop: A detailed, non-functional replica of Buddy’s signature long-handled meat cleaver, perfect for display.
• Slaughterhouse Movie Poster Print: High-quality print of the iconic original theatrical poster art for ‘Slaughterhouse’, featuring Buddy Bacon.

🎧 Soundtrack

Slaughterhouse features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hot Rod Devils” – performed by Willie Woods

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Most Badass Cow Ever #shorts

Curious what millions of people are watching right now? Check out this incredibly viral short clip – it’s got something surprisingly ‘badass’ in it that clearly grabbed a lot of attention!

Boom. It’s a slaughterhouse in here. #movie #shorts

Want to see a short clip that absolutely exploded online? This one features a memorable line and moment that clearly resonated with huge audiences, racking up serious likes!

Locking themselves onto the duck slaughter line! 🦆🔒【Part 74】

See why this short clip about a protest action captured the attention of millions of viewers online – it’s a brief but impactful moment that went viral!

✨ Rate