Jack Brooks: Fuck man, I broke a bottle over my head once because I couldn’t open it! I mean, you know… that doesn’t even make any sense!

People were way too quick to write “Jack Brooks” off as some sort of “Buffy” clone when in actuality director Knautz never actually strives to gear his film in that vein. I for one hate “Buffy” so I was very immediate in my defense of the film, and more so after watching it. Director John Knautz’s horror comedy has some epic possibilities with a character almost as cool as Ashley Williams, because even on its small budget and obviously modest production it’s shocking in its ability to involve the viewer with dark comedy that’s actually funny, and horror that’s about as good as anything else being released. The origin of Jack Brooks is probably one of the more interesting personality breakdowns thanks to the rather stunning performance by Trevor Matthews who completely grabs the persona of this repressed warrior by the balls delivering a passionate play on a character who could have easily transformed in to a poor man’s Ernest. Matthews is a force of nature in “Jack Brooks” delivering some of the most raucous laughter with a man who is so angry and enraged without any idea why. And his rage is elevated by the fact that nothing seems to help, not even his therapist whose new age techniques leave Jack about ready to pummel him in to the ground.

Ainslie and Knautz’s influences are obvious with allusions to Ash, “Hellraiser” and “Demons” but their nods to the aforementioned pop culture facets are subtle enough to where they become detrimental to the story, while Jack is an always fascinating figure who inspires a sense of dignity and potential for greatness that Matthews sells with ease. Once the hell begins, Knautz’s dark comedy becomes a vicious and disturbing horror film with demonic creations who actually seem to be a match for Jack, while their leader takes to some disgusting cannibalism that flexes the surprising ability the special effects team displays with decapitations, mutilations, and gruesome forced demonic digestion. “Jack Brooks” is enough of an ode to horror to please the fan boys, and enough of an origin story to leave audiences wanting more. If there’s more up Knautz’s sleeve, I hope he gives it to us soon, because “Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer” is too good to be a one shot.

There's not really any actually monster hunting and slaying until the last half hour, but "Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer" is a damn good horror comedy with great performances, a fun if traditional story, and some brutal gore and grue.