A violent killer is stalking people in Dallas, with the local shopping center becoming a target. The story involves several college sorority members who are required to participate in an initiation ritual that requires them to sneak into a mall after dark. Unbeknownst to them, escaped mental patients are also at large, and one disturbed individual appears at the mall during their prank. I initially assumed "The Initiation” (1984) would be a horror-thriller with supernatural elements, similar to films like "The Initiation of Sarah" (1978) and "Satan's School for Girls" (1973), but it’s actually something different, though the overall setting shares some similarities. It functions more as a slasher movie in line with "Happy Birthday to Me" (1981), although the production isn't quite as slick and is set in the Dallas-Fort Worth region instead of the Northeast. I didn't find the initial scenes particularly engaging, but I ultimately came around to enjoying it despite having a feel like a made-for-TV movie—albeit one with some adult content and graphic violence. The film also has a more satisfying conclusion than the disappointing ending in “Happy Birthday to Me.” It’s probably worth watching for those who appreciate 1980s slasher films. The slow beginning can be blamed on the original director being replaced because he was running late and over budget. His artistic style didn't mesh with what the producers wanted, which was a more conventional slasher film. The movie has a runtime of 1 hour, 37 minutes, and filming took place in Dallas, including scenes at the Dallas Market Center to represent the mall, as well as Fort Worth. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB