“Slay” (Canada): A Glitter-Soaked, Fang-Biting Drag Battle You Didn’t Know You Needed
You ever stumble across a movie that feels like a fever dream come to life? “Slay” is exactly that—a wild, glitter-bombed mashup of drag queens, vampires, and roughneck bikers, all duking it out in a backwoods bar. Honestly, I went into it with my guard up. Cheesy horror-comedy usually isn’t my thing, and I’m not afraid to admit that. But hey, if you’re the kind who lives for camp, this might just be your next guilty pleasure.
The story kicks off on the open road, our heroes being a troupe of four drag queens, heels and wigs packed, headed for what they believe is a legendary gay bar gig. Picture their faces when they roll up and realize the “legendary” part was a bit of wishful thinking—this is more like a run-down watering hole in the middle of nowhere, run by an old guy named Dusty. His regulars? Hulking, beer-swilling bikers who wouldn’t know RuPaul from a wrench.
Now, you’d think the queens would turn tail and hit the road. But bills need paying, and pride can take a backseat to a paycheck. So they stay. They perform. And just as the show gets going, the place is suddenly crawling with vampires—fangs, blood, the whole works. Now, if you’re imagining a RuPaul’s Drag Race episode gone full “From Dusk Till Dawn,” you’re not far off. Suddenly, drag queens, locals, and even those burly bikers have to team up if they want to see the sunrise. If that’s not a metaphor for putting aside our differences, I don’t know what is.
For about an hour, it’s a swirl of vampiric chaos—biting, blood-sucking, and more than a little glitter. You’ve got the usual horror tropes, sure, but there’s something oddly heartwarming about watching a crew of misfits set aside their differences to take down a common, undead enemy. The stakes are high (pun absolutely intended), but so are the camp levels. Picture sequins flying, fake blood spurting, and drag queens wielding pool cues like battle-axes. The absurdity is half the fun.
And let me say, the queens themselves—who are apparently pretty well-known in the drag world—really carry the show. Their chemistry is electric, their banter sharp as a stiletto heel. Even the side characters pop, especially Dusty the bar owner and Trevor, the biker with a chip on his shoulder who, in a twist, ends up having one of the more touching character arcs. There’s a moment or two where the film drops the jokes and double entendres, and lets a little real emotion shine through. Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel anything in a movie like this, but there it was—a flicker of sincerity in the middle of all the madness.
“Slay” is well aware of its own ridiculousness, and leans into it with gusto. The film sprinkles in classic vampire lore, throws in a few new tricks, and isn’t afraid to wink at the audience. It’s like watching a B-movie marathon with your most flamboyant friends, cackling at every outrageous line. I have to admit, I found myself grinning, even as I rolled my eyes.
So, is “Slay” for everyone? Not a chance. If you like your horror straight-laced and serious, you might want to sit this one out. But if you’ve got a soft spot for camp, or just want to see drag queens dropkick some vampires, go ahead and give it a shot. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s got more heart than you’d expect. As for me, I’ll probably never be a die-hard fan of this genre—but I can absolutely see why folks would gobble it up at a film festival. Sometimes, you just need a little sparkle with your scares.
