Street Trash (2024)

-Written by Kristin Ciliberto. 

Street Trash is a spiritual sequel to the 1987 film of the same name, as Director Ryan Kruger wanted to deliver a crazy, over-the-top film. The film is labeled “Ryan Kruger Thing.” Kruger clearly had a passion to bring a sequel to life, as he co-wrote the film with James C. Williamson. I had not seen the original movie and was unsure of what to expect, as Cinematographer J. Michael Muro directed it, and it was the only film he produced in his career.

Set in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2050, a global homeless crisis is unfolding. Mayor Mostret

(Warrick Grier) devises a master plan to wipe out the homeless population. The government comes up with a plan to use a chemical weapon, “Tenafly Viper” also known as “V”

(this is named after the Tenafly Viper alcohol of the original film). A group of homeless people led by Ronald (Sean Cameron Michael) discovers the plan as they unite and rise against the regime and its loyal militias.

Street Trash embraces its weirdness. There are many impressive practical effects, including

purple blood, strange boils, intestines spilling out, melted flesh, and heads popping off. This is a warning for audiences with a weak stomach, as the gore gets a bit intense and is certainly

creative in that department. The practical effects were the film’s strongest element. Street Trash shows audiences what they can expect after a homeless man meets his death as a test subject. The film has a strong, engaging opening; however, after a while, it became repetitive, and the thrill was gone by the end of the crazy body horror. There are some fun and unique characters, including Alex (Donna Cormack-Thomson), Chef (Joe Vaz), and blue gremlin named Sockie (voiced by Kruger). However, for the rest of the cast, it was a struggle to care about or connect with any of them.

The film strives to be strange and gory even though it is a B-movie. Yet, it is clear that Kruger

worked hard to pay homage to the original. The film was shot on 35mm to create a grainy, old-school, 1980s-inspired aesthetic that enhances the setting. It’s a goofy film aiming to deliver a social-political message; “melt the rich,” and it says that on the film’s poster. However, the film ultimately fails to provide anything meaningful or genuinely funny. Most of the humor is immature, often relying on fart or sex jokes. Most of the comedic bits tried way too hard, and the same goes for the dialogue, which does not feel natural, nor does it flow well.

Street Trash benefits from some of its B-movie uniqueness and creativity, but as someone with no connection to the original, I don’t recommend it. It’s only made for a select audience that really admires the goryness that it provides. I can admire the hard work and dedication that went into making the sequel. On the music side, “Heads Will Roll” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, or even a song by Ice Nine Kills, would have been great fits for the film.

Directed by Ryan Kruger. 

Written by Ryan Kruger, James C. Williamson, Roy Frumkes, & J. Michael Muro. 

Starring Sean Cameron Michael, Donna Cormack-Thomson, Joe Vaz, Lloyd Martinez Newkirk, Shuraigh Meyer, etc. 

5/10 = WORTH WATCHING, BUT YOU’VE BEEN WARNED