I always thought the dude's priorities were a little off when he was more concerned with Angela's genitalia than... _A SEVERED HEAD._ But that's just me.

Off to camp with Counselor May. An excellent way to spend quarantine.

[Watching Angela murder someone] Good for her.

This was my super gay Creative Writing teacher's favorite bad movie. We bonded over that fact when I spent the week before Halloween walking around with a hockey mask and Freddy glove clipped to my backpack as a reference to the poster for Sleepaway Camp 2. He pulled me aside, told me I had impeccable taste, and then gave me 10 bonus points for the day. He was an absolute legend.

"why does Angela gets to talk with the buoys all day, and we have to play vœlleybäll?"

"This Movie Does For Trans People What Fight Club Does For White Men" should be the new tagline for this movie.

No mention of the other gay aspect of the film: Ronnie's Shorts

Ngl - That ending still creeps me out, with the uncanny mother’s dialogue, the creeping music building up and the dark lighting and unnatural posing and deep moaning. I think the killer’s face at the end was a facemask? Saw some behind the scenes image on Google.

"Ladies and gentleman-" yea- "and those that are not" yo that me!!!

Can we also just note how fuckin' weird that mom character is? She's in the movie for such a short period of time. Yet her performance is super memorable.

"I support your journey, Angela"

I'd love a remake from her perspective. Like that's designed to be sympathetic to her

Angela's cousin, Ricky, is also a good ally because his response to seeing Angela mistreated is to beat the shit out of them.

My theory: So the story is built on Angela being initially raised under the male gender, and then forced by a cray cray lady (who is a doctor) to transition to female. Meanwhile, they don't seem to get out much and they don't have any friends besides Ricky. At the same time these kids are going through puberty. Angela, who never chose to be a girl, is being forced to bunk with the girls. I think Angela is crushing on Judy the whole time and that's why they can't keep their eyes off her. Meanwhile the person they get along best with is Ricky's friend Paul. But what gets Angela to break out of their shell is Paul talking to Angela like theyre a friend and "one of the guys". Paul, however, is sexually interested in Angela, and Angela goes with it a bit until it becomes triggering. Such as the kissing scene and beach scene. But Angela never liked Paul in that way. Still, his betrayal cuts even deeper since he was kissing Judy. That really its a story about the feeling of dysphoria. Both in terms of gender and sexuality.

A couple of heterosexuals killed her family, then for whatever reason transitioning is forced upon her? (right?), then she (as I saw it) took revenge on this super hetero/traditional camp. Like, being traditional hetero horn dogs made those kids such shit heads? Like idk, seems like the themes are too muddied to glean a transphobic or protrans message. Like or maybe it was purely a bait and switch. Cause when the dude and kid get run over by the jet ski, we see the little boy lived, and maybe the filmmakers were sincerely hoping it wasn't stupid obvious that it was Angela killing the campers hoping we'd assume the boy was running around somewhere avenging her. And then they wrote themselves into a corner, needed a twist, and just made that odd (but neat) trans effect at the end? (that face tho) Then gave the twist a single line to explain it then end the movie. I wonder if a script exists.

Hey Nyx, one of the things you missed talking about, maybe it just didn't click, or you decided it wasn't important for the video, but I'd like to actually look at the entire Trilogy [ignoring Sleep Away Camp 4... no one counts 4...lol] Is that one of the common talking points from the transphobe fans is that Angela snaps because her transition was forced on her. Which in a vacuum of just SAC1, you can make the argument she's likely suffering massive gender dysphoria due to being forced into the feminine role. HOWEVER, if you look at the trilogy as a whole, by Sleep Away Camp 2, Angela's transition was apparently handled while she was in a mental institution. [sure we're furthering the 'trans people are crazy' narrative, but hold with me here.] Angela suffers no obvious signs of Gender Dysphoria by SAC2... none, she seems completely comfortable in her body and with herself and even with her sexuality and her body. Sure she's rather conservative in her ways sexually, but she knows she looks good and does use that to her advantage against her victims. And doubly so in Sleep Away Camp 3. Personally, Angela is super important to my own transgender journey, I never viewed her as a monster, if that was the intention of the director, he failed terribly on that, but did deliver a story that made me feel for Angela, and furthermore, the 2 direct sequels only furthered the feeling that Angela isn't a monster because she's trans, but that she was pushed to a breaking point, on top of other mental trauma from her youth[death of her father, ect], that caused her to snap, really in my mind, the fact she's transgender is incidental to her character, which I feel is one of the strengths of the movie. They never treat her like you'd expect someone telling an anti-trans message to treat her [beyond her being bullied, but kids bully kids all the time, so it's not purely due to her transgender status.] I don't feel you can look at Angela without including her portrayal in the sequels, as it paints a more complete picture of her as a person beyond her killer and transgender status. Just, something I always like to put out there when people discuss Sleep Away Camp.

I remember in Sleepaway Camp 2 one of the camp counselors was telling a story about Angela around the campfire, and he said, "While she was locked up, she got a sex-change operation, and our parents' tax dollars paid for it." And that tax thing was apparently the scariest part, in his mind.

Hey May, I just wanted to say that I’ve been a follower and fan for awhile now and that you being so out and proud about your gender identity has helped me realize my own. I just wanted to thank you for that.

The best part of this movie to me is all the unintentionally hilarious dialogue. That’s one of the biggest reasons to watch it imo. I also really like the first two sequels. Even though they’re comedies and the kills are heavily censored, they feel like much more positive portrayals to me. And Pamela Springsteen as Angela is so fucking fun to watch

petition to rewrite Sleepaway Camp as a revenge thriller

The thing I never understood: what the hell was up with Angela's "animal noises"? As if she's snarling in her final form..😅

Even back in the day she was the most sympathetic killer in a horror movie. I saw this on VHS when I was like 12 and we all felt sorry for her. There's literally no reason to hate her for her actions even before the big reveal. The sequels were hideous but this one is a classic.

It occurred to me that the trans identity was forced upon Angela in the same way that cis-identity is forced onto trans people when they’re growing up or even as adults. She did not choose to be a girl, her aunt chose for her. If you ascribe the idea that she kills “ because she’s trans” (which honestly feels like the intention of the filmmakers. Otherwise they wouldn’t have the stinger take on such an ominous tone) That’s not really because she’s trans but because she’s being denied her own gender identity. Which circles back around to be a pro trans narrative anyway. It’s a lot of mental gymnastics to make this not transphobic, but it is a start.

I have interviewed Felissa (Angela) several times for a horror convention. I've asked her this exact question about the intention behind making it. At no point did the writer/director treat the character as anything but a girl. The twist at the end was to show this was forced upon her, probably intended as an unintentional torture of "Peter" as a child by the Aunt. However Angela is a girl. And in the Horror Community she is considered THE Female Slasher. She is treated as female by fans throughout the series and she is rooted for as the "hero" of the first one since all those kills are 100% justified. Throughout the rest of the franchise she sticks with (for the most part) only killing "deserving" people. Just my two cents. Absolutely love your content BTW just wanted to add a little more info since I had it straight from the Queen's mouth as it were.

I always thought she was the hero of the movie. The thing that scarred me way more in this movie was the pedo cook.

I get that a lot of ppl are distressed (?) about the concept of Angela being forced to transition but the (dubious quality) sequels pretty much confirm that's not the case if ppl want in-universe comfort. Angela is a trans-woman.

I wish there was a horror film with a trans protagonist portrayed well. That would be pretty nice.

god ive never identified with a video's thesis this much like i dont even have the words thank you counselor may

We must not forget about the sequels starring Bruce Springsteen’s actual sister as Angela

Honestly I just really love the kills in this movie, very creative and gruesome

Best part of the movie is the song "angela's theme" it is so fucking catchy and sweet, actually working on a cover rn

Who exactly gave May permission to produce such a banging theme song

God, i haven't watched Nyx fears in so long. Just hearing her voice and seeing the intro immediately put me at ease.

"Ladies and gentleman and those that are not: We have a queen." BTW: the most literal use of "Slay Queen" in history 😁

So glad to have you back counselor May! I always miss you when you’re gone away for so long

I could see this movie actually being made for not terrible transphobic reasons. The actors who played the characters seem like nice people, and the sequels go more into how Angela fully transitioned after the first movie. Part of me might say it was probably for shock value that Angela was originally Peter, forced to transition by her weird Aunt, but at the same time, this movie still shows her in a more sympathetic light than most of the other characters in the movie, besides maybe her cousin and closest ally, Ricky.

I think angela's character better represnts that of a trans masc experience than of a trans feminine. Angela is forced to present as female, she seems uncomfortable around women and in womens spaces, and she makes no female friends/ typically wants to be by herself or with ricky and paul. As a trans masculine person and my experiences with other trans masc people,i think the analogy really works from that angle. But thats just my thoughts, regardless i think its a great analogy for trans people in genral and i love your videos May!!

Loving the mandolin strumming in the intro and throughout the video! Thank you for addressing the fact that the art we experience in life shifts, changes, and evolves with the experiences we have with us. Fantastic lighting as well btw! 💜

I just came across this channel by a recommendation by a friend- and I’m loving it so far! You’re a really wonderful and cool person! I hope you have a great day!

I remember back in the early 2000s growing up when I was in my middle school age I would always be left home alone to enjoy myself wether it be my video games or being online on KZfaq and the such but I would be home alone and I loved watching adult swim in the late night that still gave you a unique feeling and vibe when your home alone and in a spooky mood I remember being in love with the IFC channel from WKUK to Wilfred and there anime specials but there horror films and cult classic specials are what really set me in a mood like no other I remember being intrigued by sleepaway camp it's buildup and atmosphere was foreboding but the ending was so sudden for my mind as a child I was struck sith fear at the sight of Angela's still expression that I couldn't move even with my rooms lit up I was in shock but I loved the film and it grew with me anyway than you for the video Nyx I wish you the best in life and hope you take care

Nyx I just want to say that your opening is, like, the best opening in all of youtube.

I love your videos so much, you always manage to make me see films in a new way, while making me laugh my ass off at your sense of humor 🤣 my favorite KZfaq channel

yesss May, this is so great and you articulated my feelings about it way better than i could 💖 i had all the same thoughts when i rewatched it recently!!

Great Video!!! The reason I like this movie and your channel are because they're so damn unique and stand out with interesting and nuanced takes on movies and horror that others don't have

Thanks for saving my lost old film. I like the new background.

Great content as always. I'm a new sub & just wanted to say thanks for putting me onto so many new movies & for being a star while doing it. I'm also a mandolin player so this made smile

This was just randomly recommended to me and I knew I recognized your name from somewhere. I totally remember your videos from before you transitioned. Just wanted to say I’m really happy for you and I’m glad I found your videos again! Much love!

Angela is a total queen and so are you May ❤️

Honestly, I'm so happy that May likes this movie. I just saw it for the first time yesterday and I actually felt kind of guilty for liking it because the twist is so outdated. Seeing it in this perspective makes me feel kind of vindicated in a way for thinking it was a fun garbage movie.

I just watched it after watching this and omg she's a queen in my opinion. Her dead stare whenever she got picked on was QUEEN SHIT.

Awh, it's felt like a while since one of your videos! Not even a minute in, and I'm already delighted to see a new video!

Great video, as always! The most unforgivable thing from the movie to me is how it perpetuates the "forced to be trans by abusive figure" trope. It's one of the most harmful tropes in a cluster of harmful, dangerous tropes. For example, even Dark Souls 1 and 3 do this, with the implication that the trans character was forced to be. For as problematic as the movie is, I feel like I could still forgive it all if it wasn't for this most disgusting of tropes.

Oh man I watched Sleepaway Camp for a representation class and remember being super into it until it became "oops all transphobes" at the end. This def makes me wanna rewatch this

I actually watched this before I realized I was bi and I haven't gone back and watched it in a different light. I still love this movie

I have watched the sleep away camp and the series long before the 2000s. Great movies and I’m glad you’re bring them too light. 👍🏽 good job, you’re doing great!

"she just fucking murders them and you're like "wow! Cool!"

she’s so slay i can’t help it

This was the prompt I needed to watch this movie at last and 1) it was filmed near where I grew up 2) Judy with her long hair and a shirt that says "Judy" is everything

I found this video very informational and the wife very beautiful

GOD DAMMIT NYX! Look, I'm a cys white dude, but I went through my early twenties playing music, going to weird performance art events, hanging out in galleries drinking free wine, and just generally getting to know a hugely diverse cast of people and finding value in all of them. Life did its thing and now I'm stuck in a suburban hellhole in which people think masks are taking away their freedom rather than just being an awesome way to accessorize and as long as they don't SAY they're a bigot, they must not be one. Le siiiiigh... you can ignore all of that. I think I just needed to vent, and your videos remind me of less frustrating, more interesting times.

I got the notif for this video while I was watching Sleepaway Camp omg. Great commentary on one of my absolute favorite horror movies. Thanks goth mom 🖤🖤🖤

I'm a transguy who cosplayed Angela and took a photo with Felissa Rose at a con because this movie had such a huge impact on me. It's so ridiculously cheesy and hilarious but somehow also the best horror movie about dysphoria. Angela's story fits so well as like a transman revenge fantasy because you can read the character as a man trapped in the body of a woman who deals with so much intense dysphoria that he loses it and goes on a murderous rampage haha. I'm so glad someone else thinks this is a punk rock transgender movie :P

I randomly stumbled across this once on tv when i was maybe middle school age, and i was rooting for her the whole time lol this was a trip i totallly forgot about it

I absolutely love this movie! And I absolutely love you and your content!!! Thanks for being awesome! 💕

The bit about acid at the end had me cracking up. Thank you May!

oh the smile on my face when i saw you had uploaded , great to see you back :)

i just watched sleepaway camp so i could watch this vid (plus there was like 3 synchronicities involving it too) and i loved your take on it. i enjoyed it the whole time but was bummed about the ending but you this vid made me feel really positive about it and i think its a new fav of mine thank u so much may

The really funny thing is that I'm a trans man, and I've always read the movie as being about forcibly closeted. Peter is a boy, but his guardian treats him as a daughter, and dresses him in girly clothes, and calls him "Angela," and that really aligns with how I grew up. It's not a perfect reading, since in the fiction it's a cis boy and the transing of the gender is not his choice, so like, that sucks, but I vibe with it as a metaphor for being a guy and having everyone around you see you and treat you like a girl. So, there you go, there's another example of how context can change the meaning of a story!

Ricky is awesome, too! He OBVIOUSLY knows Angela's secret and is super-supportive both in helping her keep it and also in wanting to beat the shit out of anyone who picks on her

Sleepaway Camp seems to intentionally set your expectations so low because then THAT ENDING comes and leaves you feeling like you just finished a masterpeice.

10:23 That guy's clearly fake moustache is the real horror.

everyone else remembers this movie for the ending. i remember it for "eat shit and live"

From the perspective of a Gender Questioning individual: If ever there was a good answer For criticising and analysing “trash” on a deeper level, arguing beyond it’s intent and dissecting it layer by layer, Sleepaway Camp is it. On the one hand, the whole twist around Angela reads to me as a just that; a shocking swerve thrown in to make people go “gWUAH?!?!?!”. I feel that if the movie were written or directed or produced by froth-at-the-mouth trans hating nightmare people explicitly to be a really cry for like minded individuals, it’d be more overtly explicit- or, at the very least, would have Angela killing people that did absolutely nothing to her at all to make her appear entirely unreasonable. The presence of the “oh she was FORCED into it by her aunt so she’s just Coocoo for Coco Puffs actually” is still a big Collar Tug Moment™️ mind you regardless, but I feel that that- and indeed even the twist itself- is (and I ‘say’ this in the most sarcastic tone possible) “””A Product of a More Innocent Time”””. However on the other hand, the intent doesn’t really matter; because of the way the film is as a whole, it can be read in a multitude of ways from it being deeply, cruelly hateful to trans people or, as discussed, can be read as actually somewhat validating and supportive of the trans women experience. I personally argue that given that her victims are generally people that have actually wronged her- or were going to wrong her on no uncertain terms- and as Problematic™️ as her backstory is that it’s even there and presented as a freudian excuse, that ultimately the film wants to side with her. Or, at the very least, the film wants her to have layers and dimension beyond simply being the killer, or simply being “””a boy in disguise”””. But that’s just my read, innit. As other folks in here have mentioned, that Sleepaway Camp 2 and 3 bring the character back, centralise her and make her the protagonist (if a villainous one, which isn’t without its own dose of Yikes), and make her arguably even more likeable also makes them come across as more Pro Trans then probably intended, because Death of the Author and individualistic readings are a wild trip like that. Either way, We Have No Choice But To Stan.

your videos are getting me through my pneumonia. love you May 💜

The first movie where a gay dad has two kids? That was fairly progressive for 1983. It's not played as a joke either. There's a flashback where Angela and her brother Peter see the dad and bf making love and giggle. But that was just adolescence seeing something they never seen. Just a positive aspect that I noticed in the movie.

really can't thank you enough for this rec and your super valid analysis! also shoutout to the props people for this movie who decided that all the corpses should look exactly the same despite being killed by boiling water, drowning, and bees respectively.

Far and away my favorite reading of Sleepaway Camp ever. Awesome video.

Love your videos! Thank you for wonderful content! Stay safe and strong :)

New May content! Well, my day just got a whole lot better!

I love Angela and I always feel so bad for her whenever I watch the movie, thank you for creating this May.

Sleepaway Camp 2 was accidentally my first horror movie because I woke up to it during a starz free trial when I was 6 at 2 AM and I thought it was a fever dream. Same thing happen with Eyes Wide Shut

This is one of my favorite movies and I clicked right away when I saw you had made a video about it!!! Your analysis really nails the feeling of the film. The whole time I was team Angela #girlboss bc everybody she kills is asking for it

For some reason this movie keeps reminding me of a Detective Conan episode (sorry for bringing up anime lol) There is a three part story about a series of murders centered around a pianist and the murderer leaves clues in rewrites of the Moonlight Sonata pieces. And it turns out SPOILER The son of the pianist is going on a revenge murder spree against those who either killed his dad or drove him to suicide. But then the detective finds out the son is hiding among them but is now a doctor lady. And I watched several translations but never figured out if the author says the woman just happens to be trans and used that to hide her heritage even better or if the son medically transitioned to hide who he is (which seems like a really long con and I don't believe) either way she plays a piano in a house on fire and when Conan tries to get her out she is like "nah I'm good all the assholes are dead" and throws the kid out of the window which was kinda badass. . ...I might have problems lol. Love you May. -a fellow trans

Glad to see you back!

Omg where have you been?..regardless happy for the upload! 😊

The most scariest part was he was all naked and making that horrifying sound like geez

I am so ready for the reclamation of Angela! also I wish shudder or similar horror entity would sponsor you, your content is and always has been fantastically entertaining and often informative

I watched Sleepaway Camp 2 last night, and it was confirmed that Artie the perverted cook did die from his injuries.

The mandolin is a nice touch

Great stuff as always. Thanks May!

May, your aesthetic is perfection, please don’t change 💖

This is one of my fav vids of yours. Not sure why.

the fact that they clearly reshot a big part of the movie and one character had shaved his moustache off so they just taped one over with electrical tape just adds to the ambiance y'know

Then Sleepaway Camp II just sweeps everything under the rug with some clunky campfire exposition...

May is back! yeah. I was just wondering when you would upload a new video. Anyway, you failed to mention all the really short shorts! Sleepaway camp is really weird movie, but I did really like it. So i'm glad others enjoyed it too.

Not the take I was expecting and I love it.

May where can i buy ur opening theme I've bought ur discography but haven't seen this :,(

This is the best summary and opinions on this movie.

I kind of love this interpretation. It was before my time and I only learned about it after knowing the problematic elements...which made it seem like something I wouldn't enjoy. But watching it through this lense could be awesome.

may you give off really cool aunt vibes and i say that in the best way possible