Street Trash (2024) Film Review - Explosive Social Commentary

In the dystopian landscape of Cape Town, South Africa, Ryan Kruger’s 2025 sequel to Street Trash (1987) takes viewers on a gore-filled adventure through the perils of class warfare in the 21st century. Sometimes described as a remake or reimagining of the original, his film transposes the grotesque charm of the 1987 cult classic into a modern setting, amplifying its themes with a contemporary—and significantly more socially aware – approach.

Set in the year 2050, the narrative unfolds in a city starkly divided between the opulent elite – mayors, bankers, and businessmen—and the destitute masses. In a dystopian future that feels all too real to those of us suffering under the yoke of late-stage capitalism, almost anyone who isn’t significantly wealthy easily becomes homeless, undesirable, and ultimately detestable by the upper classes.

In this environment, we’re introduced to Street Trash’s villain, the sinister Mayor Mostert (Warrick Grier). In cutting contrast to the original film, in which Viper is disseminated accidentally, in this version the drug has been deliberately synthesised and perfected through deliberate experimentation on “volunteer” subjects. His plan? Eradicate homelessness—by eradicating the homeless.

After a very gory beginning to the film, we’re introduced to the flawed yet surprisingly charming Ronald (Sean Cameron Michael). The first time we see Ronald, he’s on the run from the cops – a fantastically entertaining scene in which he runs through crowds grabbing food, then cocaine, then powdered Viagra, which he uses as a weapon against the policeman (to devastating effect).

In his first major act of heroism, Ronald gives up the precious battery he’s just gotten away with to gain the freedom of a woman he’s never met – the young Alex, who then joins his gang of misfits. There’s the grumbling Chef, crackhead twins Wors and Pap, 2-Bit (played by Fried Barry’s Gary Green) and his alien friend Sockle that no one else can see (an absolutely bizarre addition, voiced by Ryan Kruger, who nonetheless provides plenty of entertainment). There’s also Offly – the off-camera buddy who only appears as a POV shot, presumably in homage to the original film’s tendency to overuse POV shots.

While there is another gang – the Rat Kings – to contend with, our band of heroes soon discovers Mayor Mostert’s plan and knows that the real enemy is much bigger than their petty squabbles. Eventually the homeless of the city must rise against the upper classes to assert their right to live, especially now that the elite is utilising drones to disseminate their incredibly gory form of chemical warfare.

Kruger’s direction pays homage to the original Street Trash while infusing it with a distinct South African essence. The decision to shoot on 35mm film gives the piece a visceral texture, evoking a sense of nostalgia that reminds us of great action/sci-fi films of the 80s such as Apocalypse Now and The Warriors. Practical effects take centre stage, delivering a visceral spectacle of melting flesh and explosive bodily disintegration. These incredibly graphic melt sequences involve the same neon goo as the original film and serve as an entertaining distraction from the social commentary of the film.

Some have criticised the choice to place this film in the future, feeling that it detracts from the commentary. But sci-fi, no matter what period it’s set in, always reflects current society and our anxieties at this moment. In a world where the cost of living seems to never-endingly increase, it’s the drug-addled homeless we relate to more than the out-of-touch elite.

Just like the original film, Street Trash’s highlight is its over-the-top gore. We see dozens of in-depth melt scenes, with flesh dripping and big balloons of neon paint exploding everywhere. It’s a phosphorescent gorefest with plenty of entertaining deaths and disfigurements and, in the final act, a hell of a lot more violence besides!

While the original Street Trash was made to be “democratically offensive” to everyone – there are scenes to make both men and women shudder, as well as racial and homophobic slurs – Kruger’s film seems made with the awareness that in today’s society, being equally offensive to everyone really only hurts the already-oppressed. In this way, Kruger’s sequel brings the themes of Street Trash into the 21st century (both literally and figuratively).

Ryan Kruger’s socially-aware sequel/remake/reimaging of the 1987 Street Trash takes everything that was enjoyable about the original and puts it in a modern-day context. By moving the setting to Cape Town and placing it in the slight future, Kruger manages to evoke the dystopian social commentary of District 9. Not fussed about cutting critique in your horror films? Sit back and enjoy the crass humour, explicit gore, and fun special effects but remember: ACAB, and melt the rich!

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