Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986) Review

Troma movies are known for many things: surrealism, graphic violence, low budgets and social commentary. Today, it’s hard to understand how the poor acting, wobbly plots and shaky sets became popular globally. But in the 1980’s, their films were some of the most prominent on video rental store shelves.

Following the success of Troma’s pioneering film The Toxic Avenger (1984), Directors Richard W. Haines and Lloyd Kaufman built on their small foundation of exploitation cinema, where boundaries blur and sensibilities shatter. In the 1980s, few territories were as eccentrically fertile as Troma Entertainment’s domain. And amidst the chaotic cacophony of their filmography, Class of Nuke ‘Em High stands out like a radioactive beacon – an irreverent blend of science-fiction, horror, and comedy that radiates with unrestrained absurdity.

The film mushrooms from the peculiar environs of Tromaville High School, nestled precariously close to a nuclear power plant. The story kicks into gear when a radioactive mishap, meticulously covered up by the plant’s owner, unleashes a cascade of calamities upon the unsuspecting students. Enter “The Cretins,” a ragtag gang whose transformation from honor society darlings to marauding misfits parallels the school’s descent into chaos.

At the heart of the chaos lie our protagonists, the sweetly naive Warren and his girlfriend Chrissy, unwittingly ensnared in a web of radioactive debauchery. Fuelled by potent aphrodisiacs masquerading as radioactive marijuana, their misadventures spiral into a surreal maelstrom of mutating nightmares and monstrous offspring. As the school teeters on the brink of pandemonium, Warren embarks on a frenzied rampage, battling both inner demons and the nefarious Cretins.

What ensues is a rollicking rollercoaster ride through a landscape of grotesque mutations, gratuitous gore, and irreverent satire. Class of Nuke ‘Em High revels in its own outlandishness, delivering a delirious fusion of punk ethos and B-movie aesthetics. With a nod to the punksploitation genre, the film serves up a heady cocktail of anarchic energy and unabashed subversion, skewering societal norms with gleeful abandon. Rocking music plays throughout, as if every scene is set within earshot of a Marshall amp.

While Troma’s style has been known to polarise audiences, Class of Nuke ‘Em High transcends mere schlock to emerge as a cult classic in its own right. Beneath its grotesque surface lurks a subversive streak, a biting critique of societal mores and environmental negligence. Beyond the chaos and carnage, there’s an undeniable sense of fun — a celebration of cinematic excess that refuses to take itself too seriously. Nerds melt, eyeballs pop and radioactive demonspawn are birthed by teenage girls.

At its core, the film is a testament to the irrepressible spirit of independent 80s cinema, an unapologetic embrace of creative freedom and artistic expression. Shot on a shoestring budget yet imbued with infectious enthusiasm, Class of Nuke ‘Em High exemplifies the DIY ethos that defines Troma’s legacy. From its absurd premise to its gloriously over-the-top set pieces, the film revels in its own audaciousness, defying convention at every turn.

Visually, Class of Nuke ‘Em High is a riot of vibrant colors and grotesque imagery, a kaleidoscopic journey through the warped corridors of Tromaville High. Jason Sapan’s laser effects lend an otherworldly sheen to the proceedings, heightening the film’s surreal atmosphere. Meanwhile, the eclectic cast, led by Janelle Brady and Gil Brenton, deliver performances brimming with infectious energy and tongue-in-cheek humour.

In true Troma fashion, the film wears its low-budget origins as a badge of honour, embracing the inherent flaws and limitations of independent filmmaking. Yet, far from detracting from the viewing experience, these imperfections only serve to enhance the film’s charm and authenticity. From its ramshackle sets to its cheesy special effects, Class of Nuke ‘Em High exudes a vintage charm that’s impossible to resist – particularly in a time where so many features of this film are relevant again – independent film making, cold war, retro aesthetics and a society sitting on the precipice of a perceived environmental distaster.

Ultimately, it’s important to put the film into this context, and when you do, Class of Nuke ‘Em High serves as a figurehead for Troma Entertainment – a gleefully subversive ode to cinematic excess and creative freedom. Equal parts absurd and anarchic, it’s a wild ride through the twisted corridors of Tromaville High—a nuclear romp unlike any other.

Class of Nuke ‘Em High is a gloriously unhinged masterpiece of exploitation cinema and a riotous celebration of all things weird and wonderful. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Troma’s oeuvre or a newcomer to the world of cult cinema, this film is guaranteed to leave an indelible mark on your psyche. The low production values may be too much for some, but in terms of ‘so bad it’s good’ horror, they don’t come much better (or should that be badder) than this.

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Class of Nuke ‘Em High trailer