Popeye’s Revenge (2025)

“Well blow me down!”

A trio of Popeye-based horror films were released in 2025 after the strong-armed sailor entered the public domain. Popeye’s Revenge was the first of these films, released in February of that year. Although it isn’t a part of the Twisted Childhood Universe, it is produced by ITN Studios, who produced all of the films in that series, and it features a number of actors from those films. It also features a below average plot that tries to force Popeye into a dark origin story. Had Harry Boxley, the film’s writer, created a standalone slasher without using Popeye, it might have worked. He didn’t do that, however, and the entire film feels forced and sort of pointless.

Popeye’s Revenge has an animated opening that sets up the reasons for Popeye’s murderous run in the film, but it just does not work for the character. It also has a little bit of sex and nudity to draw in certain demographics, but even that feels forced and unnecessary. What it gets right, though, is the cinematography and the atmosphere of the film. It also has an attractive cast with decent acting chops for the most part. You hated to see some of the characters meet their end and had no issues when Popeye dispatched others. The kills aren’t overly creative but they are executed extremely well and, at least to me, it seems like the effects were almost, if not all, completely practical.

The cast is headed up by Emily Mogilner as the overly enthusiastic Tara, who takes a group of her friends out to the old “Popeye” house to renovate it and turn it into camp that her parents will own and run. Connor Powles portrays Tara’s loyal boyfriend, Dylan. The rest of the group includes Fyn Phoenixx, Karolina Ugrenyuk, Bruno Cryan, Atlanta Moreno, and the strikingly gorgeous Danielle Ronald. Popeye is portrayed by Steven Murphy while Kelly Rian Sanson plays Olive Oyl. Some of the supporting cast includes Eva Ray, Oliver Mason, Danielle Scott, and Kathi DeCouto. As I already mentioned, many of these actors have appeared in other ITN films such as Winnie The Pooh: Blood And Honey.

Popeye’s Revenge would have been much better if it wasn’t a Popeye-based film. Simply slapping a sailor suit on a kid and giving him brute strength doesn’t make him Popeye. If the character were a new, nautical-themed slasher, it would have worked much better. That said, I don’t think that you’ll be disappointed if you watch this film.

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