The Sleepaway Camp films began in the 80's and, at first glance, seemed to embody the tradition of slasher flicks from that era. They featured large, mostly teenaged casts, crazy and gruesome death sequences, campy humor, and nods to countless other horror films. But what set these films apart from their generic peers was that the killer and the protagonist were essentially the same person.

The films focus on the character of Angela, a shy young girl attending summer camp and trying to deal with the problems that all young girls face: fitting in, talking to boys, and dealing with that snobby but beautiful girl who gets all the guys. We eventually discover that Angela is not only a murderer (who only kills those she deems as "bad"), but actually a boy forced by a crazy relative to dress as, and assume the role of, a girl. In the next two films, Angela emerges as young woman, no longer shy but still quite modest and very strange. She's endlessly cheerful and loves being at summer camp, but she doesn't seem to have many friends and can't resist the urge to kill those who are "bad".

We are made to root for Angela, even in the later two films after we've discovered her identity. We watch the story through her eyes and come to care for her, despite the fact that she is a crazed killer. Particularly in parts 2 and 3, Angela is spunky and sweet, always kind to those who treat her nicely. She's actually very sincere. But cross her, or anyone she cares about, and she will happily kill you in the most gruesome way you can imagine.

These films are not scary, not in the least (except for the creepy final shots of the original), but they are funny, creative, and in my opinion, manage to capture the true spirit of campy 80's slasher flicks. All while presenting us with one of the most memorable and fascinating serial killers in fiction.

If you enjoyed any of these films, please consider joining the fanlisting! And if for some reason you haven't watched them, check them out! They should definitely be watched by all horror fans.