The Last Girls Standing

Following a summer camp massacre perpetrated by a mysterious group of animal-masked, machete-wielding assailants, teenagers Sloan and Cherry, the event’s sole survivors, have become inseparable. Moreover, their shared trauma deepens their romantic relationship into a mutually codependent dynamic as the two struggle to adjust to life after the incident. But when one of the masked murderers is taken into custody, Sloan uncovers disturbing facts about the circumstances surrounding the events at Camp Money Springs that lead her to suspect Cherry of knowing more about the tragedy than she’s been letting on. Ominous motives, misremembered events, and emotional manipulation abound as Sloan works to uncover the truth behind the killings—and her entire relationship with Cherry. Leisurely pacing dampens somewhat straightforward twists; nevertheless, the teens’ relationship develops via cinematic prose, giving it space to be complicated and messy in a way that makes it compelling to watch unfold. Dugan (Melt with You) pays homage to classic slasher flicks in this enthralling departure, a solid addition to the camp horror genre that boasts urgent mystery and queer romance alongside its psychological thriller foundation. Sloan and Cherry read as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (Aug.)