In horror cinema, there are plenty of subgenres, and some niche markets set within them, one of the most highly limited area deals with gym centers and make it their central theme is held by two movies Killer Workout [1987] and Death Spa. Though is equally true that other horror films do have a scene or two in them that revolve around a workout scenario such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Part 3: Dream Warriors [1987], Final Destination 3 [2006], Final Destination 5 [2011], and Happy Birthday To Me [1981] therefore it’s easy to see just how limited the scope of this area is when you have two movies that were made around the same time a contain a few similarities but released one year apart. Michael Fischa (My Mom’s a Werewolf [1989], the director based his creation on the original title of Witch Bitch, though obvious why the title was changed to a more promotional standpoint, provides viewers with a cheesy horror flick with one classic shot (more on that later) but plenty of neon aerobics that big hair a few splatter filled moments and the rapid fear slash phobias of technology running amok. Michael uses a screenplay from writers James Bartruff and Mitch Paradise, so with plenty of red herrings and open-ended plot holes it still delivers what this unique market of fans of T&A wants but lacks in true gore moments.

Joseph Whipp

During the eighties, fitness clubs were all the rage, especially in California, the film starts with the opening of the gym as StarBody Health Spa, but after a freak bolt of lightning strikes the sign, it reads ‘Death Spa’, oh so clever. Michael Evans (William Bumiller(Species [1995])) is the owner of the popular Spa who seems to have it all: wealth, women, a slick car, a sweet pad, though a widower who doesn’t act like it. Then again, he’s the 80s macho guy with no emotions but has a friend who’s his personal assistant in the form of Marvin (Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead [1978])).

Ken Foree Wearing What?!

The Spa, so popular due to these advance computerized systems however there’s a minor glitch occurring a series of bizarre deaths (or are they murders). First, Laura (Brenda Bakke (Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight [1995])) rests naked in a sauna but is burned by chlorine vapors, then Mike arrives at the hospital after a glimpse of bizarre dream, to learn from Dr. Southern of her poor condition in a very low budget hospital. A transition to the gym, and spandex hell except one awkward individual named Freddie who tries to show for a club member Darla (Chelse Field (The Dark Field [1993]), but he acts quite dorkish, meanwhile two typical detectives called to investigate Lieutenant Fletcher (Francis X. McCarthy (The Relic [1997])) and Sargent Stone (Rosalind Cash) meet Priscella (Alexa Hamilton (Trash Fire [2016])) the manager on their way to see the owner. There we learn of the brain behind the software design of the spa is Michael’s former brother-in-law, by marriage to his now deceased wife Catherine’s twin David (Merrit Butrick (Fright Night Part 2 [1988])), who’s suggests a bit of homoerotism when describing another man’s physique as he sits an observes the guests. As the police question David, we watch a bolt mysteriously loosen itself on a diving board to suggest the computer did it is far-fetched but a supernatural force- mmm – possible. We, of course, get extended aerobic workouts, pumping iron and a gay reference between a guy and gal, again remember it’s the 80s the language is far from politically correct as well as scenes and tones. Soon enough the T&A presents in the women’s shower and death lurking once again, in the form of steam, scolding water, flying shower tiles, and Mike to the rescue with a sales pitch and sexual innuendo. But it’s Robert who’s torn apart on a chest compression that worries only Mike; the spa attorney Tom is purely thinking of the bottom line. Mike begins later to romance Laura who appears to have only to have eyes damaged not one other blemish, but after freak locker room attack sequence Marci is killed and her body is stuffed into a locker – huh? Um okay. From there is it’s a series misdirects, and other deaths that occur all by the 42-min mark, although a true bonkers moment with a parapsychologist Dr. Lido Moray (Joseph Whipp (Scream [1996])) who informs Michael about psychometry, the learning about dead’s lives and emotions. It is in this weird subplot with Michael we learn about Catherine (Shari Shattuck (Uninvited [1987])), her life and death, well suicide gasoline burning in a garden due to postpartum of losing her baby though not define as a stillbirth or neonatal death, results in her becoming disabled. Mike believes everything at the spa is connected to Catherine’s haunting. By the third act, we have a Mardi Gras Party starts without a problem and it is filled with some bizarre moments including Ken Foree wearing an extremely goofy Arabian Nights costume but we all know ends in gruesome bloodbath sheer insanity, though far from a typical simple stalk and slasher blitz, supernatural forces are work along with other tortures. All pain – what a shame.

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That’s a Bizarre Looking House

One of the first things that can be overlooked is the wardrobe, remember it’s the 80s, styles that were foreign or silly were the trend then, therefore the spandex, neon color schemes and even the high poofy hair is excused – silly, but acceptable. As for the acting, low budget horror standard, some give outrageous performances while others seem to do and impression of a rock, it didn’t affect too much of the film for entertainment, what works against is the storyline, confusing plot devices. Those involved with homicidal computer programs, which is called Sparta for a moment, and a series of misguided red-herrings, and bizarre setups that include and best identified nowadays as gender switching, homoerotism, excessive machismo, ghostly paranormal experience, possession, and high strange narrative storyline, and God-awful aerobic dance sequences. The saving grace is from good creative splatter effects, in forms of blender mishap, frozen tuna attack (seriously), weight machine snafu, a fire gag, and plenty more thanks primarily to Mel Slavick (Bride of Re-Animator [1990]). Oh, the locker room death scene is just lame, nothing quite like the one that horror fans would of experience the year before with Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II [1987].

Frozen Zombie Fish

Zombie Frozen Fish Feeding

Simply stated Death Spa, provides a tad more of everything just like the 1980s, excessive T&A, more death hence living up to its title and by the end sells itself as a supernatural slasher with shapeshifting attributes and a full physical possession to an insanely bizarre finishing. When a movie such as this incorporates some sick themes brother-sister twin sexual bonding, paranormal mayhem, with a bit Carrie [1976] toss into the mix and loony plot entertainment is a painful workout.

TAGLINES:

• Strange things are a brewing at the local gym!
• For a workout in Hell!
• The evil of the past has found its place in the present
• You’ll sweat blood!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099384/

IMDb Rating: 5.2/10

Baron’s Rating: 5.0/10