Nurse 3-D (2013)

Nurse 3-D is the kind of gloriously disreputable midnight movie that knows exactly what it is: a slick, neon-lit slice of exploitation horror that’s equal parts nasty, funny, and proudly over-the-top. Paz de la Huerta commits to Abby with a feral, campy intensity, turning every scene into a come-on and a threat, while the film’s glossy production values make the bloodletting pop with wicked showmanship. The tone is lurid and trashy in the best way, with gore that’s meant to make you wince and laugh at the same time, and a simple, pulpy engine that keeps it moving. It’s absolutely not for the squeamish or anyone allergic to graphic sex and nudity, but if you want a knowingly outrageous thriller that delivers gruesome fun with style, it’s a surprisingly satisfying dose.

Nurse 3-D is clearly aiming for sleazy, neon-lit grindhouse camp: a sexy “angel of death” thriller that wants you to laugh, gasp, and enjoy the trashy ride. The problem is it rarely commits hard enough to being funny or outrageous, so what should feel like wickedly self-aware schlock often lands as flat, awkward, and oddly tame for something this lurid. Paz de la Huerta throws herself into the role with a memorably unhinged presence, and there are moments of pulpy style, but the thin writing and direction don’t give the premise the sharpness it needs. If you’re not specifically in the mood for a messy, uneven midnight-movie curiosity with lots of nudity and splatter but not much wit, you’ll probably feel like your time was better spent elsewhere.