Ryan Kruger’s Street Trash boldly picks up the grotesque mantle of the 1987 original, delivering a sequel that is equal parts homage and evolution. This grimy, grimacing venture into the underbelly of society thrusts viewers into a world of chaotic survival, vivid visuals, and unapologetic depravity.

A Grimy Glimpse of Society’s Margins

Set against a backdrop of urban decay, the film plunges into the lives of the downtrodden as they face not just societal neglect but a new wave of bodily horrors. Kruger maintains the anarchic spirit of the original while updating its themes with a sharper edge. Beneath the layers of viscera and outrageous visuals lies a commentary on the cyclical struggles of poverty, addiction, and survival—a grim reflection of a world that often ignores its most vulnerable.

The story, while secondary to the spectacle, acts as a loose framework for the carnage, following a ragtag group of outcasts contending with an insidious threat that consumes them from within. Much like its predecessor, Street Trash revels in its over-the-top nature, embracing absurdity and shock value as core tenets of its narrative.

A Grotesque Visual Feast

Kruger’s directorial flair is undeniable, with a relentless onslaught of visually arresting sequences. The practical effects are a glorious throwback to the heyday of 1980s body horror, drenched in fluorescent gore and surreal transformations. The cinematography veers between claustrophobic and chaotic, perfectly capturing the world’s filth and desperation.

However, the film’s relentless aesthetic, while impressive, often overshadows its characters and narrative depth. The grotesque imagery can feel gratuitous at times, leaving little room for the emotional resonance that might have elevated the film beyond its shock-factor roots.

A Tribute That Stumbles on Its Own Excess

As a sequel, Street Trash lovingly pays tribute to the down-and-dirty chaos of the original, amplifying its grime and gore for a modern audience. But in doing so, it occasionally loses the balance that made the 1987 cult classic memorable. While Kruger captures the anarchic spirit, the film’s pacing and tonal inconsistency detract from its overall impact, making it feel like an extended spectacle rather than a cohesive story.

The Prognosis:

For fans of the original, Street Trash (2023) is a welcome return to the absurd, oozing with nostalgia and creativity. It’s a visually disturbing treat that revels in its excesses, delivering everything you’d expect from a sequel to one of the most outrageous films of the 1980s.

Yet, its dedication to pushing the boundaries of grotesque spectacle leaves little room for nuance or emotional depth. While it’s a solid continuation of the cult classic’s legacy, it struggles to transcend its status as a niche curiosity.

Kruger’s Street Trash is messy, wild, and unapologetically outrageous—a glorious descent into cinematic filth that will delight fans of the original and shock newcomers in equal measure. It may not redefine the genre, but it certainly leaves an impression, for better or worse.

• Saul Muerte

Street Trash will be streaming on Screambox from Dec 27th.