‘Rabid Grannies’: A Campy Masterpiece of 1980s Splatter Horror

Few films encapsulate the outrageous spirit of 1980s horror quite like ‘Rabid Grannies’ (1988). Directed by Emmanuel Kervyn and produced in Belgium, this low-budget oddity blends splatter horror with slapstick comedy, delivering a grotesque, over-the-top experience that has since earned it a devoted cult following. Despite its flaws—and perhaps because of them— ’Rabid Grannies’ stands as a shining example of the camp and creativity that defined an era of DIY horror filmmaking.

The plot is deceptively simple: a group of greedy relatives gathers at a country estate to celebrate the birthdays of two elderly aunts. When a mysterious gift arrives from a disowned satanist nephew, the grannies are transformed into demonic monsters who promptly begin murdering their guests in inventive and gory fashion. What unfolds is a bloody, chaotic, and wildly absurd descent into mayhem.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

What makes ‘Rabid Grannies’ remarkable isn’t its story, acting, or technical prowess—those are often cited as its weakest points. Rather, it’s the film’s commitment to excess that makes it unforgettable. The gore effects, while obviously practical and budget-conscious, are gloriously exaggerated. Heads are ripped off, limbs severed, and faces melted in ways that are more cartoonish than terrifying. This blend of slapstick violence and horror tropes places ‘Rabid Grannies’ firmly in the “splatter comedy” tradition, akin to early Peter Jackson works like ‘Bad Taste’ or ‘Dead Alive’.

The film also leans heavily into camp. The English dubbing (done post-production over the French-language original) is hilariously stilted, adding an unintentional layer of humour. The characters are caricatures—shallow, selfish, and ripe for slaughter—making their fates both predictable and satisfying in the grim, exaggerated moral world the film creates.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Though critically panned upon release, ‘Rabid Grannies’ has found enduring appeal among fans of cult horror. It’s the kind of movie that thrives in midnight screenings and horror conventions, where audiences celebrate its flaws as part of its charm. In an age of polished, CGI-heavy horror, its DIY aesthetic feels refreshingly raw.

Ultimately, ‘Rabid Grannies’ is not a film to be taken seriously. It is, however, a love letter to absurdity, gore, and the unfiltered creativity of low-budget horror in the '80s. For fans of camp and carnage, it remains a bloody good time.

–Farheen Ali