Sleepaway Camp

by The Wives Colangelo, BJ Colangelo, Harmony Colangelo

Initially considered "just another slasher film" during its 1983 release, Sleepaway Camp has since emerged as a cult classic due to its talented young cast, remarkable practical effects, and notorious ending. But although the queer themes explored in its memorable final moments were initially intended to shock and unsettle audiences, Sleepaway Camp's empathetic portrayal of its unlikely killer sets it apart from other "trans panic" films of its time.

Together, BJ & Harmony Colangelo assess where Sleepaway Camp falls in the slasher canon and do a deep dive on the film's themes and legacy, exploring how changing attitudes towards the LGBT community has led to both a reclamation and necessary critique of the film by modern audiences.

Sleepaway Camp's divisive reputation has inspired a decades-long debate that changes alongside the attitudes and culture of its viewers. Through historical context, personal memoir, and film history, the Wives Colangelo explain what's kept audiences talking about Angela Baker and Camp Arawak after all these years.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Nev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sleepaway Camp, an 80s slasher with a complicated legacy. I was really excited when I learned that BJ and Harmony Colangelo were writing a book all about the movie and Angela Baker as a character. I love their podcast This Ends at Prom and articles that I’ve read from them, so I was looking forward to getting a whole book of their insights. I think this book does a great job at explaining the movie itself, the history of how it got made, the cultural context of the time it came out, and the different trans and queer reads people have of the movie.

This isn’t a book that is going to try and tell you the one correct take to have about Angela and whether the movie is homophobic/transphobic or not. I appreciated how they made ties between Aunt Martha’s treatment of Angela and incorrect beliefs that modern conservatives have about trans children. The book doesn’t shy away from bringing up real world transphobia and how media depictions have real influences.

While the entire book is credited to both BJ and Harmony, there are a couple chapters that are by Harmony alone. Her perspective is really fascinating, showing how her experience watching the movie has changed over the years. There’s also some content about her feelings being in the horror community and feeling like her voice only matters to others when people need a trans perspective on a trans movie, but she isn’t called on for collaboration outside of that realm.

Definitely check this one out if you’re interested in a nuanced look at Sleepaway Camp. Coming in under 150 pages, the book is a quick read. But even though it doesn’t have a super long page count, it still manages to touch on so many different topics.

[David Ivany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the analysis of this movie. Related to their stores of their original viewings of it and really appreciated the last essay by Harmony on what critiques cis audiences expect from trans people in response to the pantheon of (mostly bad) representations in media. As a fan of This Ends At Prom, I appreciated getting an expanded look into this movie and I am keen to read whatever they put out next!

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good investigation into the contradictions of the film’s messages and standing in pop culture from a couple of queer perspectives. It’s also the opposite of dry and academic; it’s very personable and pleasant to read, and doesn’t so much argue a thesis as explore various ways to read the film in context of then and now and who’s asking. Maybe just because I listen to their podcast, but their voices were very clear while reading. There’s also just a lot of information about the making of the film packed into a small space. Not for nothing, it’s a small press book that’s well edited and put together very nicely. A pleasure to have on the shelf in more ways than one.

[Kaycee Racer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every week, I tune into BJ and Harmony Colangelo’s podcast, This Ends At Prom, which examines movies made for teen girls, so I was immediately in when I learned they wrote a book. Sleepaway Camp is a somewhat cheesy eighties horror with a complicated legacy, and the Wives Colangelo explore it with nuance, humor, and a critical eye in the context of politics, history, and pop culture.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE the Wives Colangelo's podcast This Ends at Prom and this analysis of Sleepaway Camp only furthers my love for them. A MUST READ if you have any fondness or curiosity over this movie.

[Bant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting history, along with discussion of the queer themes and queer reclamation of this film.

[Ioana Balas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book by two incredible women in film!