American Carnage opens with a title scene that you’ll either see as biting satire, the goddamn truth, or lies and slander. I suspect what you think of it will color your opinion of the film (and if you are hard-core Trump supporter, you’ll probably just turn it off). It’s audacious, possibly foolish, but it makes a turn that made me laugh.

The flick opens with an ICE raid that takes American-born children of illegal immigrants into custody. Faced with staying in the holding pens or joining a new program where they take care of the elderly, our main characters (which includes the lovely Jenna Ortega) “volunteer” to help. Of course, Eric Dane and his crew of orderlies are up to something… you just have to figure out what it is.

And what it is takes a bit of monologuing to really come together… and maybe it doesn’t hang strictly logically, but it works as old-fashioned satire (like A Modest Proposal). If you apply too much logic, it has holes… but I had the same feeling about Get Out too. Curiously, the movie pulls double duty as commentary on both racism and ageism.

The film is clearly a low budget effort but they make do. Some creative on-a-budget camera work, some surprisingly good practical makeup, and even a little body horror that mostly works (even if it’s the now-tired contortionist routine).

It’s a horror film with some creepy and disturbing moments, but it’s really playing more as a horror/comedy. There are some gory moments at the end… usually played more for icky cringe-in-your-seat laughs. Our crew of main characters are fresh and having fun too.

I liked this probably more than I should (given its ratings from others). But I was thoroughly entertained. I enjoyed the cast of characters, guessing and second guessing what was going on, and the film’s satire (and broader comedy). I give it 4 stars… not a strong 4, but 4 nonetheless.

Score: 85