Last Updated on November 25, 2024 by Angel Melanson
It’s no stretch to suggest that Roy Frumkes’ and Jim Muro’s ’87 cult classic Street Trash has a special place in genre history, one which is not to be trifled with. But what about South African writer/director Ryan Kruger’s second film (following his debut feature, Fried Barry) of the same name, which hits streamers this week? A glance at the vibrant poster art displaying the tagline “Melt the Rich” is likely to have ardent horror hounds everywhere proclaiming, “Not another F#%king remake!?”
Rest assured Kruger’s contribution to the goo universe is best labeled a loose sequel to the original film we grew up loving. Kruger’s rendition tells a completely different story in a modern, cinematic style that is uniquely his, taking the action to his native South Africa and pitting an evil corporation against a ragtag group of homeless protagonists, with the threat of extermination hanging in the balance. As the director explains, “As a kid, I loved Street Trash. I am not one for remakes. I wanted to leave the original alone completely and do my own thing, have it in that same world just later on. New story, new characters. It's more of a sequel as we mention the original in the film. For a new audience it's a standalone film.”
According to co-producer Justin Martell (who, along with Matt Manjourides, has produced multiple Shudder originals through their company Not the Funeral Home), “Since the movie is set in the same universe as the original, the practical FX are a great connective tissue (even if gooey) between both films. Kruger and crew certainly manage to capture that ’80s vibe while cranking the volume up to eleven for some seriously eye-popping brain candy.”
Hell, even Sockle (voiced by Kruger), the blue alien sidekick of 2-Bit (Garry Green) could have easily been rendered by the digital magic of CGI. Instead, this vile little life form was created from a hands-on blend of puppeteering and animatronics to give it a humorous, fleshed out look. Speaking of Gary Green, not only does the drug-fueled possessed degenerate in Kruger’s debut feature, Fried Barry provide an abundance of oddball comedy relief in the background of multiple scenes, he also provides an award-worthy monologue in Street Trash during a pivotal moment of the film’s climax. Not bad for a guy with only a single feature credit and a few bit parts as an extra.
Clearly, Kruger is the yin to Green’s yang or, as Kruger tells it, “Gary always gives a hundred and ten percent and always wants to do another take even when I tell him we got it ten times. He is capable of great things. I have a 3-step process working with Gary. Step 1: Rehearse the part how I exactly want it and keep fine tuning it over time, so he takes in all the notes. Step 2: By the time we get to set, things shift and can be different at times. Sometimes it's blocking a feeling or mood I have changed, so we rehearse again and get him comfortable to adapt to it. Step 3: I sit in post on the edit and that's where I shape his main performance on reactions and beats of jokes and line delivery. But I have to say when it came to his monologue scene, he learnt it so much and wanted to nail it and he did. We did two takes and that was it; both were great.”
Fans of Fried Barry (you are a fan, aren’t you?) may well experience a splattering of déjà vu when it comes to recognizing the players of Street Trash. That’s because Kruger brought repeat talent from his previous outing: Green Sean Cameran Michael, Jonathan Pienaar, and others. Indeed, the South African pool of actors is a rather contained, albeit tight knit one with many of them having worked together in some capacity. Advantaged with their own shorthand and sense of bonding, their relationships flow as naturally on screen as they do behind the scenes, which Kruger utilizes to the fullest effect.
The director’s ability to drill down to the essence of a dystopian world while rich leaders declare genocide on the homeless elevates the film into unexpected feel-good territory. In particular, the magnetic chemistry between Ronald (Sean Cameron Michael) and Alex (Donna Cormack-Thomson) shines exceptionally bright. Cameron portrays an impoverished veteran with PTSD and a soft spot for the underdogs of society. His character, Ronald, rescues Alex from a brutal beatdown after promising the goons a steep payment plan in return. Although the last thing Ronald’s small group of justice-seeking hobos want is some outsider joining their ranks, Alex quickly fits in and proves down for their cause of overturning the governmental scum before their unhoused peers are eradicated for good. While there’s plenty of shoot ‘em up action and all the melted faces and flying entrails you could want, the quieter moments of shared dialogue between Ronald and Alex that truly convey a deeper meaning of what’s at stake.
To be sure, there’s nothing quite like watching some deserving prick get his manhood severed or taking joy from the next hapless victim exploding in glorious oozing fashion. There’s also no denying how Ronald and Alex’s presence help elevate the film to a truly memorable experience that’s bound to linger like so many dripping appendages. Cameron himself adds, “Donna and I had previously worked together on Catch me a Killer (BritBox) so there was already familiarity and chemistry. We had so much fun on Street Trash and I’m elated that the friendship and bond between our characters was heightened as it was vital for the story.”
Regarding the film’s vitality, Kruger wasn’t about to lose touch with his film’s retro foundation. The daring filmmaker chose to stick to his guns by shooting on 35mm film rather than digital, and in doing so captured all its raw and gritty appeal for a modern audience. Kruger explains it this way: “Shooting on 35mm has always been a dream, and I never thought I'd get the chance. There's nothing quite like the look of film. I've always been a major fan growing up on ’80s films for the look and feel. To get this chance to do that was amazing. Shooting on film is a big process without a doubt, but it's great because when it comes to being on set, there is way more focus. Shooting digital is a luxury compared to film. I also find that shooting on film wasn’t a big adjustment for me as I shoot for the edit and I know what I want and what cuts together, so I never overshoot. Film isn’t dead, thanks to Vinegar syndrome (a film restoration and distribution company). (Therefore), I wanted to make it ’80s as much as possible. If John Hughes made a melt movie this would be it.”
The craziest aspect about this movie may well be how close it came to dying on the page. Frumkes, an executive producer for Kruger’s Street Trash after selling the rights to producers Martell and Manjourides, had the following to say about the 2024 film’s near-death experience.
“At a certain point,” explains Frumkes, “Matt (who co-created The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs) started pushing for a remake or a sequel, with our blessing. He pitched it ceaselessly, sparing no effort to lure investors, and to make the concept palatable. Once it was even pitched with the intent of making an animated series – which, by the way, was not a bad idea – and a few years ago I put out a graphic novel with Mike Lackey. When I say ‘with Mike Lackey’ (who plays Fred in the original film) I mean 20% me and 80% Mike. Eventually Matt connected with Ryan, and thought he’d be a great fit for an update of Street Trash, and Ryan was certainly into it. I liked his film Fried Barry, and loved his main character, Gary Green. We filled the original with grotesque yet appealing characters like that. Then it was fundraising time again, and it took more than a year to get it financed.”
A gooey gory love letter with heart, this is a film that was fated to be made and will be streaming November 19th on Apple, Amazon and most other streaming platforms, and will be landing on Scream Box December 27th. Oh, and if Frumkes has his way, you may want to dig out your parka and add extra heat to your popcorn for what’s next to come. “I think it’s a great idea,” Frumkes confesses, “to have future instalments of Street Trash take place in different countries. Like Antarctica. Imagine the igloos melting in all those vibrant colors…”
And if it also happens to be another Ryan Kruger Thing? Then hand me my popcorn, and let’s get ready to melt something!
