Broken Lizard tried to prove they were more than Super Troopers with an unloved slasher spoof
Club Dread showed that the comedy troupe could do more than remake their first success, even if that's all their audience wanted.
Broken Lizard, the New York sketch comedy troupe behind the 2001 stoner classic Super Troopers, faced challenges in breaking free from its initial success. Despite a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign for Super Troopers 2, and a surge in ticket sales for Super Troopers 3, many of Broken Lizard's subsequent ensemble comedies failed to impress. Their 2004 slasher spoof, Club Dread, stands out as their most satisfying follow-up and reveals a different possible path for the low-brow entertainers.
Club Dread, a fizzy body-count film set at a Costa Rican beach resort, aimed to showcase the troupe's versatility as sketch comics. However, the film leaned into roles that were "180 from the last movie," according to screenwriter Paul Soter, which might not have been the wisest move after Super Troopers. Soter suggests that a horror spoof inspired by cult favorites like The Burning and Terror Train has a "very niche" appeal, likely not the best choice for a mainstream audience. He believes horror comedy is inherently challenging.
Despite the film's limitations, Broken Lizard's affection for slasher tropes contributes significantly to its appeal. The movie contains some of their most gut-busting and least self-conscious one-liners, as well as visual gags. Bill Paxton's performance as the resort owner Coconut Pete is particularly noteworthy, as he delivers one of their funniest Broken Lizard film performances. Other actors, like Michael Clarke Duncan and M.C. Gainey, also provide strong supporting roles.
What sets Club Dread apart is Broken Lizard's refusal to pander to audiences' post-Super Troopers expectations. Their cohesion as a group shines through, with each actor bringing unique qualities to their roles. Kevin Heffernan's performance as Lars, a suspiciously mellow masseur, is a pleasant change from his hysterical roles in previous films.
Heffernan gets to play the straight man, setting up many of the movie's funnier jokes. Jenny, played by Brittany Daniel, develops a strong attraction to Lars, adding another layer to the film's comedic dynamic.
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