Porno (2019) is a horror-comedy film directed by Keola Racela, blending raunchy humor with supernatural terror in a small-town setting. It’s one of those rare indie films that manages to be both absurdly funny and genuinely disturbing, with a nostalgic nod to 1990s slasher flicks and exploitation cinema.
Detailed Summary
Opening: The Small-Town Theater Crew
Set in the early 1990s, the film follows a group of Christian teenagers who work at a run-down movie theater owned by their devout manager, Mr. Pike (Bill Phillips). The staff includes Chaz (Jillian Mueller), Abe (Evan Daves), Todd (Larry Saperstein), Ricky (Glenn Stott), and the projectionist Jeff (Robbie Tann). The gang is innocent, curious, and painfully sheltered — which makes them perfect prey for what’s about to unfold.
One night after closing, Mr. Pike allows them to watch one of two old movies: Encino Man or A League of Their Own. However, their plans change when a mysterious vagrant breaks into the theater and exposes a hidden room beneath the building. Inside, they discover old film reels and projection equipment from the theater’s previous life as an adult cinema.
The Forbidden Film
Naturally, the teens can’t resist temptation. They play one of the discovered reels — an erotic art film that turns out to be more than just porn. As they watch, surreal and demonic imagery fills the screen, and something ancient and dangerous is unleashed: a seductive succubus (Katelyn Pearce), who embodies the sexual repression and desires of the group.
The Succubus Strikes
The succubus begins tormenting each of them, preying on their deepest, most repressed fantasies and fears. She shapeshifts, seduces, and mutilates — sometimes in ways that are as darkly funny as they are grotesque. The film balances its horror with biting humor, constantly mocking the characters’ purity culture and sexual naivety.
Todd and Abe, the most devout of the group, are particularly tested as the succubus uses their guilt and confusion against them. Chaz, the most level-headed member, becomes the de facto leader trying to keep everyone alive.
Discovery of the Truth
As they search for a way to stop the succubus, Jeff reveals that the theater’s basement was once used by a satanic sex cult. The succubus is an entity bound to the cursed film, gaining strength from the lust and fear of those who watch it. The only way to banish her is to resist temptation and destroy the reel that summoned her.
Movie Ending
The climax unfolds in the theater lobby, where the succubus fully manifests, seducing and brutalizing the remaining staff. She corners Abe, trying to make him give in to his desires, but he resists — not through divine purity, but by recognizing that denial and repression gave her power in the first place.
In a chaotic sequence filled with gore and absurdity, the teens manage to set the cursed film on fire. As the reel burns, the succubus screams in fury and disintegrates, leaving only ashes and melted celluloid.
After the battle, the group emerges from the wrecked theater at sunrise, shaken but alive. They’ve lost their innocence — in more ways than one. Mr. Pike returns, clueless about what happened, and scolds them for the mess. The surviving teens exchange glances, having shared a trauma they’ll never fully explain.
The movie ends on an ambiguous and ironic note: though they defeated the demon, the seeds of temptation remain. The camera lingers on a piece of the burned reel still glowing faintly, suggesting that the succubus might not be entirely gone.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Porno (2019) does not feature any post-credits scenes. The story concludes during the final scene, though the lingering shot of the film reel acts as a kind of thematic “postscript,” hinting that evil might one day return.
Type of Movie
Porno is a horror-comedy with strong elements of supernatural horror and satirical commentary on religion, sexuality, and repression. Think Evil Dead II meets Clerks — with a heavy dose of grindhouse sleaze and moral irony.
Cast
- Jillian Mueller as Chaz
- Evan Daves as Abe
- Larry Saperstein as Todd
- Glenn Stott as Ricky
- Robbie Tann as Jeff
- Bill Phillips as Mr. Pike
- Katelyn Pearce as The Succubus
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Nathan Halpern, known for his minimalist, eerie soundscapes. The soundtrack mixes ominous synth tones with moments of cheesy 90s nostalgia, enhancing both the horror and humor of the film.
Filming Locations
Porno was shot primarily in Beacon, New York, inside an actual old cinema that was converted into the film’s main set. The confined location helps build tension, and the vintage decor adds authenticity to the film’s nostalgic 90s aesthetic.
Awards and Nominations
The film premiered at SXSW 2019 in the Midnight section, where it was praised for its originality and energy. While it didn’t win major awards, it gained a cult following among horror fans and was noted for its blend of satire and splatter.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film’s script was originally titled Porno Theater. It was toned down to avoid marketing confusion with actual adult films.
- Director Keola Racela wanted to capture the “moral panic” of the 1990s surrounding sex and horror.
- The succubus’s makeup and prosthetics took over six hours to apply each day.
- The cast spent two weeks rehearsing before shooting to build authentic chemistry.
- Much of the gore was achieved through practical effects, not CGI.
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by 1980s horror films like Evil Dead, Hellraiser, and Demons (1985).
- The story reflects the moral panic of the Reagan-era “Satanic Panic” and purity culture.
- The cursed film motif nods to The Ring and In the Mouth of Madness.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Early versions of the script included a darker ending where the succubus possessed one of the teens instead of dying. This was changed to give the story a more ironic and ambiguous tone rather than pure nihilism. Deleted scenes mostly involved additional comedic banter and a longer introduction to the theater staff.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Porno is an original screenplay, not based on any novel or comic. However, its tone and structure resemble pulp horror paperbacks from the 1980s.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The group discovering the hidden basement theater.
- The first screening of the cursed erotic film.
- The succubus’s horrifying seduction sequences.
- The fire scene where the film reel is destroyed.
Iconic Quotes
- Chaz: “We’re not watching porn! We’re conducting a moral investigation.”
- Abe: “If God didn’t want us to see this, He wouldn’t have left the film reel here.”
- The Succubus: “Desire is the only truth.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Posters from real 1990s movies like Encino Man and A League of Their Own are visible — both symbolizing innocence and nostalgia before chaos breaks loose.
- The cursed reel’s label, “Play Me,” is a nod to The Ring.
- A graffiti on the basement wall reads “Lucifer loves cinema,” referencing the idea that the devil hides in entertainment.
Trivia
- The cast wasn’t shown the succubus’s full costume until filming to capture genuine reactions.
- The movie was shot in 18 days on a low budget of under $1 million.
- Director Racela previously worked as a film projectionist, which inspired the setting.
- The film’s marketing tagline was: “If you watch it, you’re screwed.”
Why Watch?
Because it’s a wild mix of sex, horror, and satire that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Porno is perfect for viewers who love horror with a sense of humor — it’s gross, clever, and self-aware. It’s also a surprisingly sharp commentary on how repression and fear of desire can be more dangerous than the desires themselves.
Director’s Other Movies
Keola Racela is relatively new to feature filmmaking, but his short films include:
- Above the Sea (2014)
- The Tryst (2012)
- The Uprising (2016) – short documentary
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Evil Dead (1981)
- The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
- Jennifer’s Body (2009)
- Slither (2006)
- Demons (1985)
- Deathgasm (2015)
- Satanic Panic (2019)
