Slasher homage Cheerleader Camp 2 the Death stars Ari Lehman, Jennifer Banko

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

The title of director Dustin Ferguson's horror/comedy CHEERLEADER CAMP 2 THE DEATH may lead you to believe that it's a sequel, maybe even to the 1988 slasher CHEERLEADER CAMP, but it's not. It is, however, an homage to the slasher boom of the '80s and specifically to SLEEPAWAY CAMP 2 and 3.

Two of the stars had first hand experience with the glorious era of cinema that this movie is looking back on fondly: Ari Lehman, who played young Jason Voorhees in the original FRIDAY THE 13TH, plays the camp's lustful caretaker, while Jennifer Banko, who had roles in both FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD and LEATHERFACE: TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III, is the cheerleader coach.

Scripted by Christian Sellers, author of The Complete History of THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD and writer of the MORE BRAINS! A RETURN TO THE LIVING DEAD documentary, and John Klyza (who also wrote Ferguson's SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT 2: REVIVAL), CHEERLEADER CAMP 2 THE DEATH welcomes you to 

Horizon Fields Cheerleader Camp. After her squad is burned to death in a gruesome sprinkler accident, Tanya Starkman reluctantly attends camp. Joining her are a pack of drop-dead gorgeous mean girls from competing high schools who chafe under the strict rules set by Coach Paddington. With a lustful caretaker lurking nearby, the team struggle to get along – but soon their life depends on it! When someone in a panda costume begins killing one girl every hour and leaving cryptic letters, it's up to Tanya to piece together the clues before time runs out. 

The film is now available to watch on VOD, on can be purchased on DVD through Amazon. Bonus features on the disc include the original teaser trailer, four minutes of silent outtakes, and "lost slasher" THE LAST PROM (1980). 

If you really want to have the full '80s-style experience with this film, it's also available on VHS through Retrosploitation.com. The LAST PROM bonus featurette is also included on the tape.

Source: Facebook, Fangoria

About the Author

Cody is a news editor and film critic, focused on the horror arm of JoBlo.com, and writes scripts for videos that are released through the JoBlo Originals and JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channels. In his spare time, he's a globe-trotting digital nomad, runs a personal blog called Life Between Frames, and writes novels and screenplays.