Slasher Series Overview: Come For Katie McGrath, Stay For Katie McGrath

I recently discovered the series "Slasher" on NetFlix. I initially started watching because Katie McGrath (of "Jurassic World", "Merlin" and "Dracula" fame) is the lead character. Otherwise, I would probably have passed.

"Slasher" is a 2016 eight episode series from Canada. It was first original series on the Chiller network. I'm not sure who came up with the title, but they did the show a disservice. I assumed there would be a deranged loonie knocking off random teenagers and women in lingerie. Instead "Slasher" more interestingly features a town full of secrets...AND a serial killer

Sarah and her husband Dylan return to Waterbury after being away for several years. Sarah's parents were brutally murdered on Halloween and Sarah was ripped from her mother's womb. Ouch! Tom Winston is currently in prison for the crime.

The couple plans to live in the murder house. What could possibly go wrong? Sarah's grandmother Brenda (the always FABULOUS Wendy Crewson) arrives unannounced. She's staying for a while whether they like it or not.

People start dropping like flies. The culprit is a guy dressed in an executioner's hood and gown--so he is aptly called the "Executioner". He knocks off one person for each of the seven deadly sins. The deceased includes Brenda. I thought she might be spared but nope. Unfortunately Granny is not an innocent as she appears.

Sarah's husband Dylan is eventually hauled in for the crimes. But surprise! He didnt do it. It was instead police officer (and Sarah's old friend) Cam. He's been troubled since childhood (when he wore a pig mask and stood over his sleeping parents). Weird kid!

Sarah finally figures out the situation. She stabs Cam at yet another Halloween party. This town loves a good Halloween party. That doesnt slow him down much. Cam chases Sarah to her house. Right when we think she's a goner, Sarah hits him in the head with Brenda's ashes. Dylan holds Cam down as Sarah stabs him repeatedly. If the dude isnt dead after that, nothing's gonna kill him. Sarah and Dylan reconcile and drive off into the sunset. Meanwhile a family with a creepy-cat-killing-child moves into their old house. The end.

Grade: 3 3/4 Monsters (out of 5). Unfortunately "Slasher" is a middle of the road horror series. That's sad since with a little tweaking it could have been much better.

The Negatives: First off, change the stupid title. Secondly, tighten up the plot. The story seems to be a hodge podge. Are you a horror film, are you a murder mystery, or are you a soap opera? The deadly sin murders were a bit hard to follow. Also the story could have been shortened by 1-2 episodes. It loses its momentum by the end.

The Positives: The visuals of the Executioner standing in the middle of a dark isolated street were effective. There were some fun scares. Sarah almost getting a chainsaw to the head was unnerving. Tom throwing himself on the blade was way freaky. The Executioner is pretty frightening is his own right. Use him to maximum effect though. Also make better use of your excellent cast. Katie McGrath and Wendy Crewson are great actresses but didnt get enough good material. Steve Byers (as Cam) does creepy and unhinged well.