Responsible for the seminal stalk-and-slash movie When a Stranger Calls, director Fred Walton made a belated return to the much-maligned genre he helped create with this amusing diversion, inspired more by Agatha Christie than by Friday the 13th.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 13, 2025

The film is an ingenious stab at satirical horror, made well before self-awareness was so widespread in the genre.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 1, 2024

Even if it seems like it's cashing in on the name of a holiday, the story authentically honors the pranking nature of those traditions for a surprisingly effective slasher.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 22, 2023

April Fool's Day is not the best slasher but is far from the worst. It's a clever and fresh take on not only an oversaturated genre but also an intriguing take on one of the most fool-hearted days of the year.

| Apr 2, 2021

...familiar territory that is, for the most part, employed to hopelessly (and pervasively) underwhelming effect...

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Feb 1, 2021

It's amazing how successful a slasher movie can be when you actually like the characters and they're all mostly fleshed out.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 30, 2020

Updating the famous Agatha Christie tale with adolescent tricks, sexual innuendo, wrestling under the bedsheets, and bloody violence, the film maintains moderate interest.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Aug 31, 2020

What it may lack in an official body count, April Fool's Day more than makes up for with its whip-smart script, charismatic performances, and a whopper of an ending that I certainly wasn't expecting at all the first time I saw it.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jun 19, 2020

Basically a Brat Pack slasher flick.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Mar 29, 2020

If you favor horror satires that deconstruct the mechanics of the genre, like 'Behind the Mask' or 'Scream,' ['April Fool's Day' stings with originality and fun].

| Original Score: B+ | Mar 23, 2020

The suspense sequences are stylishly managed...

| Jan 4, 2018

A revolting teen slasher film from north of the border, that tries its darnedest to be witty.

| Original Score: C+ | Apr 7, 2015

One of the savviest examples of slasher film self-commentary in existence, beating Scream by a cool ten years and a half.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Apr 1, 2012

Even today, it holds up as a spooky, flirty entertainment, doing justice to the folly and mirth of its namesake holiday.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 9, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 0/5 | Jun 11, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 21, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 13, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | May 6, 2005

I've seen this film before...as an episode of The Golden Girls.

| Original Score: D | May 3, 2005

Compared to other similar 80s teen-flicks, this is a very fun and likable little film.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 26, 2004