Looking through many iconic actors' filmographies, some may be surprised by how often their early work veers into horror; Tom Hanks starred in another movie many consider a precursor to Scream in He Knows You're Alone, while Leonardo DiCaprio first appeared in Critters 3. These actors are far removed from the low-budget horror genre in which they began their careers. Brad Pitt, while having appeared in World War Z and Interview with the Vampire, is not exactly a name that horror fans associate with the genre, but he also saw a similar start.
Brad Pitt's early start in the industry is tied to a low-budget horror film, Cutting Class, released at the tail end of the 1980s. This was not Brad Pitt's first film – his first credited feature-length film was the romantic drama The Dark Side of the Sun in 1988 – but it is the first film of his to hit theaters. We will examine what Cutting Class is, why some hype it up as a precursor to Scream, and whether it is worth watching now.
'Cutting Class' (1989) Is a Slasher Lost to Time
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Cutting Class
R
ComedyHorror
Mystery Thriller- Release Date
- April 24, 1989
- Runtime
- 91 minutes
- Director
- Rospo Pallenberg
Cast
-
Donovan Leitch
Brian Woods
-
Jill Schoelen
Paula Carson
-
Brad Pitt
Dwight Ingalls
-
Roddy McDowall
Mr. Dante
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
RENT
BUY
- Writers
- Steve Slavkin
Highschool student Paula Carson (Jill Schoelen) is caught in an awkward love triangle with Brian (Donovan Leitch Jr.), a student carrying baggage after recently returning from a mental institution after being wrongfully blamed for his father's death, and the school's jock, Dwight (Brad Pitt). When murders start occurring at the school, blame is placed on Brian despite his name being cleared. Dwight and Brian become more antagonistic towards each other, with Paula stuck in the middle, while all three search for the killer, based on different beliefs about who it could be.
Not to downplay the other performers, but Cutting Class's notable cast only comes from the inclusion of Brad Pitt and, to a lesser extent, Roddy McDowell in a supporting role as the school's principal. Cutting Class doesn't offer anywhere near Brad Pitt at his best; it exists more as a talking point and is one of the few reasons the film has stayed relevant. The movie is the only feature-length film directed by Rospo Pallenberg; he remains most famous for his work on the screenplay of Deliverance and Excalibur. While getting a theatrical release, Cutting Class performed poorly and became more of a side note in horror history, though acting as a "precursor to Scream" has given it some recognition.
How 'Cutting Class' Became Considered a Precursor to Scream
Cutting Class is often considered an indication of the slasher genre dying out, its once dominant reign over the theaters ending in the late '80s. The failure of Cutting Class and other similar horror movies made filmmakers slightly hesitant to approach the slasher genre on the big screen. Still, at the same time, it also let filmmakers know they had to go beyond the formulaic approach and offer something unique. When Wes Craven crafted his masterpiece in Scream, he knew he had to take a different approach to drawing people in and avoid the mistakes of the past that led to declining interest in the genre.
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More importantly, the two films have similar themes. Both deal with high school students, present a more whodunnit-focused narrative, and attempt to blend dark comedy and teenage drama elements; they also play heavily into the incompetent cop trope as part of the investigation of the killer. Scream does all these things much better, but the originality of Scream is often overstated, with the movie mastering ideas others toyed with and refining them into what would become one of the biggest slasher franchises of all time.
Is 'Cutting Class' Worth Watching?
While Cutting Class boasts a strong cast and has a few moments of intrigue, such as the killer challenging a math professor to solve a puzzle to find his way to safety, the movie is mediocre in the slasher genre. Of course, fans drawn to the slashers of the '80s and '90s and those curious about Brad Pitt's performance will still get something out of the b-horror movie. Yet, with the number of choices available for streaming and the endless pile of classics and gems from the era, listing the best slashers of the '80s, Cutting Class is unlikely to cross any fan's mind.
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Perhaps the greatest sin of Cutting Class is that it lacks any truly memorable kills, with blood and gore heavily toned down. The lack of violence may have been tied to the movie's theatrical release, trying to capture a wider audience. The film's comedic elements, which play like a poor man's Porky's with awkward sexual humor, also point to this trying to be a wider crowd pleaser; Roddy McDowall as a perverted principal is a career low-point for an actor who has become synonymous with low-budget schlock. All these choices result in a lack of a concrete identity that could have made it an endearing cult classic.
Should you watch Cutting Class? The short answer is not to bother, but for those obsessed with the slasher era of horror, it won't feel like a waste of time. Moreover, Pitt's performance here and seeing him at the start of his career are interesting enough curiosities for some to give this one a go. You can stream Cutting Class on Prime Video, Peacock, Nightflight, Pluto TV, or Plex.
