Amateur Porn Star Killer (film series)

Lore & Background

The first chapter of the series is a mockumentary about a snuff film shoot, mainly consisting of a confrontation between the director of the snuff, played by Shane Ryan, and his victim, played by Michiko Jimenez. According to Ryan, it was filmed in one weekend. The film received mixed reviews. The book From the Arthouse to the Grindhouse describes it as 'a postmodern take on the transgressive reality film, using the genre's format as a position from which to critique it.' DVD Verdict's critic Gordon Sullivan panned the film, writing that it could be interesting as a 15-minute short, and referring to it as 'boring' and lacking both 'a competent audiovisual scheme and a compelling narrative.'

Reader's Guide

The Amateur Porn Star Killer series is significant for its transgressive approach to horror, using a mockumentary style to blur the line between reality and fiction. The sequels, Amateur Porn Star Killer 2 (2008) and Amateur Porn Star Killer 3: The Final Chapter (2009), reprise the scheme of the first film with just two actors on scene. Film Threat's review of the second film noted that Ryan 'has, once again, created something bound to raise eyebrows and the ire of morality police everywhere. He makes no apologies for it, and he does it so well that if you go into the film with an open mind you can’t help but be impressed by how good a job he’s done.' The final chapter features real pornstar Regan Reese as the main actress and was filmed in 3D, set in the front seat of a SUV, while the previous two films were shot in motel rooms. The series remains a niche but notable example of extreme independent horror cinema.

Did You Know?

• The first film was filmed in one weekend according to creator Shane Ryan.
• The first film features a victim played by Michiko Jimenez, who was 18 at the time of filming; the character's age is not explicitly stated as 13 in the film's established canon.
• The final chapter was filmed in 3D and set entirely in the front seat of a SUV.
• The series consists of three films, released in 2007, 2008, and 2010.