Running Time: 84 Minutes
Starring: Lexi Underwood, Case Walker, Kat Cunning, Jonathan Jason Green, Kevin Clayette, Jenna Karan, Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
One reason that people are drawn to horror is the flexibility which the genre offers, particularly as it can approach true to life issues through grisly deaths and fantastical settings. It is an opportunity to get creative, particularly if the killer is a usually inanimate object. Just look at how John Carpenter's Christine highlights a toxic relationship between a bullied boy and his car, Slaxx uses killer jeans to make a socially conscious point about capitalism, or the Child's Play series uses its killer doll premise to become one of the most queer-friendly franchises around. For their directorial debut, Chris Lightbody and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. make a horror film about a karaoke machine.
Bad Karaoke opens in 2012 at a bar called Jerry's, where a karaoke night is unfolding. The event is popular, although an incident involving the karaoke machine causes an electrocution, while the performance onstage is interrupted by the lady's eyes shooting out of her skull. Cut to the present day, as a wedding band travelling to a job stop at Jerry's. In a backroom, keyboardist Emily finds an old karaoke machine which the bartender lets her have. Any hopes for a fun night of bonding, enhanced by drinking and singing, are thrown into disarray when the karaoke machine puts their lives at risk when it is their turn to sing.
For the people who agreed to watch a film about a killer karaoke machine, you will have an idea what you are getting. It is clear that the filmmakers are in on the joke, particularly when the karaoke machine has what appears to be an evil looking face. It is fascinating how such an inanimate object can have more personality than one would expect. One wishes that such physical ingenuity was also seen in the deaths, as things are let down by the glaring CG effects. It's a shame when there are fun ideas for the seemingly inescapable kills, offering much to like even if they do not reach the inventive heights of the Final Destination series.
Truth be told, the comedy is where this film most struggles. A moment involving a blasé 911 dispatcher answering a call is jarring on its own, but it does not work when the following scene shows the currently living leads solemnly placing their deceased friend's body in the next room. It is also notable how blind jokes take precedence once a prominent character is introduced, which feels like a half-hearted way to get more out of an expository plot device.
This film would make an interesting double-bill with another 2026 release, John Carney's Power Ballad. Both films follow a band who perform covers at weddings, yet members of the differing bands feel the urge to put themselves out there by playing original songs. While the circumstances surrounding the protagonists may be different, both films capture the desire to follow your dreams even if it does not work, because you will have at least tried.
While the character drama can feel overly familiar, the cast ensure that the bonds are felt to keep you invested as they effectively bring the relationships alive. Even though the resolution can feel a bit too neat, Bad Karaoke is an enjoyable time that might leave you cautious about the next singalong session.
Bad Karaoke made its World Premiere at FrightFest 2026
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