Princess of the Murder is a low-budget B movie, and it never tries to be any more or any less than that. It’s a campy revenge film with an absurd premise. That said, there is an important message at its core regarding trans representation. Despite the miniscule budget, the movie has its share of positives.
Trans activist and mental health advocate Jacqueline Sophia London, who also directed the film, stars as Jackie. She resides in the tightknit community of Keyport, New Jersey, a coastal town. Jackie is a sweet, artistic soul who would likely never hurt anyone. However, that doesn’t mean that others aren’t mean to her. When Jackie’s pet crow named Cris flies away, Jackie embarks upon a quest to find her beloved animal, roaming the streets of Keyport to locate Cris. Along the way, she’s insulted and bullied by the town’s various residents.
Suddenly, a mysterious event ends Jackie’s life, but she’s resurrected and suddenly possessed by a demon. None of this makes much sense, and you just have to sit back and enjoy the whacky ride. Once possessed, Jackie enacts revenge upon her bullies, including her roommate Lynn (Lynn Spencer). There’s a pretty high body count by the film’s conclusion, though none of the scenes are all that gruesome, most likely because of budget constraints.
As the demon-infested Jackie unleashes mayhem and bloodshed, two friends on their way to a Halloween party, Lucy (Luciana Kurzius) and Max (Max Ferreiras), get swept up in the chaos. Initially, it’s unclear what these two have to do with the narrative, but an explanation is given much later in the film, tying together a loose plot thread.
Other than the important trans perspective the film offers, another positive is the representation of Keyport. The town very much feels like a living and breathing character, including the various shops that Jackie visits and all of the people she encounters on the streets. This is a vibrant, lively town. Meanwhile, shots of Halloween decorations displayed in yards and upon porches strike just the right tone.
Like a lot of B movies, the acting leaves something to be desired. That said, this film was created by and stars young creatives. In that sense, they deserve a little grace. They were still able to create and edit a film, and that’s more than a lot of us can say.
Princess of the Murder is outlandish and absurd, and the team behind the film knows that. It’s a campy movie that, at an hour long, doesn’t overstay its welcome. It also places the viewer squarely in the perspective of a trans person who eventually enacts grisly revenge upon her bullies, all while possessed by a powerful demon.
