Horror Movie Review: The Towel Man (2021)

Written and directed by Anthony Rolando Brown, the best thing about The Towel Man is that it is only 68 minutes. Which coincidentally, is also the worst thing about The Towel Man.

With a cast of first-time and local actors, The Towel Man stars Ashley Jones, Clinton Madison and Nicole Reese. It is a very low budget (estimated budget of $5,000) horror about a serial rapist dubbed ‘The Towel Man’. It is inspired by crimes that allegedly took place in Portsmouth, Virginia in the 80s.

All of that is great which makes it even harder to explain just how awful this movie is.

There really isn’t much of a story. Instead, it plays out like poorly made re-enactments. A cast of characters tormented by the mysterious Towel Man. Dubbed as such because he has a thing for towels and wears one wrapped around his face.

Yes, really. It’s not exactly the most terrifying visual but it is at least something different. We’ve had Quiltface and now we have Towel Man. Horror appears to be running out of ideas it would seem.

Of course, the acting is often poor but credit where it is due, several of these first-time actors really try and it shows.

This is a movie that embodies the word amateur and it shows from the very first minute all the way through to the end. Yes, it is cheap but it looks, sounds and feels cheaper. It’s a hard film to watch, an even harder film to listen to and a very hard film to stay awake to. 68 minutes may not sound too long but it feels like triple that at times.

Especially as there really isn’t much horror, at least in the blood and guts department. Instead, Towel Man breaks into homes, sets upon the female occupants and rapes them. There’s nothing graphic here, although there is some slight nudity. Any suspense at least? Not unless you count the constant volume adjustment you will have to do because of the film’s sound quality.

The cast talk about the recent report of the Towel Man’s attack in one of a handful of locations. A hair salon being the most over-used one. Rinse and repeat. The main focus eventually switching to the identity of the criminal and the concern that he might be someone closer to home for this cast. Does this mystery at least make it a little more worthwhile watching? Sadly, no.