HELL FEST (2018)

Directed By: Gregory Plotkin 
Written By: Seth M. Sherwood, Blair Butler & Akela Cooper 
Story: Chris Sey & William Penick 
Cinematography: Jose David Montero 
Editor: David Egan & Gregory Plotkin 


Cast: Amy Forsyth, Tony Todd, Cynthia Mercado, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Reign Edwards, Christian James, Matt Mercurio, Roby Attal 


A masked serial killer turns a horror-themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show.


This film is less than inspired but feels way too familiar and there is hardly any motivation. Which leads to a barely engaging kind of boring film. Where it seems like it was making cuts for a PG-13 rating as sometimes there seems to be graphic violence. Where you believe they will cut away they show a dash of violence.

It reminds one of a film I watched earlier in the year blood fest which while also not good it at least felt s not more fun and ran with it’s premise a lot more. Here the film feels generic half the time.

The only thing that feels fresh is the ending which just seems set to shock the Audience but also feels a bit like the ending of the collection movie part 2 of that series.

We barely get to know any of the characters, Including the lead. So it lacks that depth and the victims again barely have anything to differentiate them except their looks. Worse yet even though the film goes immediately into it’s premise and story it seems that it takes forever between the kills of main group. Nor is it explained why earlier he just seems to kill at Will randomly why later he seems dead set on killing the main character like he has a crush or a bond. So throughout he seems to stalk her. Which oddly adds to a feeling of when women encounter a creepy guy at a bar who just keeps staring but never quite talks or at least communicates to them really.

It just feels like a movie put out on autopilot that is more there to market rather than actually have a story to tell or even a passion in it’s heart.

It’s Nice to see Tony Todd but he is more here as usual as a voice and a cameo rather than an important character.

There is an interesting film that could have been made here if the filmmakers looked for more depth and laid some roots down. Rather then offering us some kind of superficial rollercoaster that is kind of not exciting.

At least the killer here isn’t unstoppable or have some kind of super strength. As here his main type of dispatching his victims is the old stabbing to death. More up close and personal.

The movie drags along where it feels and is presented in a way where any kind of gimmick or exploration would have gladly been acceptable and probably Improved the film somewhat overall. As at least it would have settled in a string decision. I mean 3D, graphic violence, campiness, humor, nudity, sex all would have been acceptable to make this film and the experience watching it somewhat noteworthy.

What clearly begins to take shape is that the film wears It’s inspirations clearly but instead of using them and either adding or taking them further it feels like the film wares them down. As for it’s intended audience and takes away the severity of intensity.

Even when it comes to the ending that tries to feel shocking it reminds eagle eyed viewers and fans of the genre of the ending and revelation of the film THE COLLECTOR

The worst part is I wanted to like it. As an just brainless fun. Exercise but I couldn’t even enjoy it in a check your brow. At the door type of film. 

Grade: F