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Hellbent (2005)
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Reviews Counted: 37
Fresh: 17
Rotten:20
Average Rating: 5.2/10
Consensus: Hellbent is proof that gay slasher films can be just as tedious and mediocre as straight ones.
Theatrical Release:Nov 30, 1999 Limited
Synopsis: Slasher film meets gay romance in this horror outing from executive producer Joe Wolf, a co-creator of such classics as NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and HALLOWEEN. With a look that borrows from both... Slasher film meets gay romance in this horror outing from executive producer Joe Wolf, a co-creator of such classics as NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and HALLOWEEN. With a look that borrows from both 1970s horror and candy-colored L.A. fantasy, the film follows four likeable young gay men who hit the town on Halloween, with big plans to attend West Hollywood's extravagant Carnival celebration. The group is comprised of Eddie (Dylan Ferguson), a wholesome type who works at the police station; Chaz (Andrew Levitas), a bisexual hedonist; shy, inexperienced Joey (Hank Williams); and Tobey (Matt Phillips), a male model who longs for true love. At work, Eddie saw some police photos of a gruesome slaying the night before, when two gay men who were making out in a car were brutally decapitated, so Eddie is duly cautious, but his three friends are intent on having a good time. Thrill-seeking Chaz takes the boys for a shortcut through the woods where the murders took place, and, en route, they encounter a well-built silent type in a devil's mask, who they think is trying to pick them up. They tease and taunt, unaware that this is the very same murderer from the night before, and the rest of the night this mysterious being--who may or may not be human--stalks the friends to extract his revenge. Meanwhile, the virginal Joey has a life-altering encounter with the man of his dreams, while Eddie makes headway on a relationship with Jake (Bryan Kirkwood), the motorcycle-riding, cigarette-smoking bad boy. Much of the film's appeal lies in the spectacular location footage of the Carnival, while the plot delivers some true nail-biting suspense along with plenty of gore. Although it's pretty clear from the beginning who will and won't make it through the night alive, there are still plenty of surprises, including a very memorable eyeball scene that will disturb even the least squeamish of viewers. [More]
Starring: Dylan Fergus, Bryan Kirkwood, Nick Name, Hank Harris
Starring: Dylan Fergus, Bryan Kirkwood, Nick Name, Hank Harris, Andrew Levitas, Matt Phillips
Director: Paul Etheredge-Ouzts
Director: Paul Etheredge-Ouzts
Producer: Steven J. Wolfe
Studio: Regent Releasing
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Reviews for Hellbent
Homo-erotic themes aside, this is otherwise a stock scary movie which rates out as an above-average example of the genre.
It's not deep and it's not unique, but HellBent approaches an oft-abused sub-genre with just enough originality and creativity to warrant some praise.
Etheredge-Ouzts coasts on the idea that combining homosexuality with homicide is revolutionary.
A genre cheapie from its digital-video camerawork to its Casiotone soundtrack to its bland, buff cast, the movie is a cultural watershed in a dry gulch.
The only thing 'HellBent' proves is that in a slasher movie, homosexual victims can be as dumb as heterosexual ones. This is progress?
Doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel with its narrative, but for horror fans, it's smarter than the norm and delivers a crafty little twist to the conventions of the genre.
A refreshingly straight-up genre flick with lots of blood and a few nice scares along the way.
A loyal gay audience may appreciate the novelty, but horror fans can find junk like this lining the shelves of any video store.
Etheredge-Ouzts can't scare us, because the plot is so random, with no suspects, no hint of why the killer is slicing off peoples' heads and no indication the police have noticed the mounting pile of bodies.
The film goes through the motions familiar from mainstream slasher movies, but without an underlying logic motivating the action, the film becomes an exercise in blood-spattered boredom.
This isn't a particularly good movie, and it's offensive in the way mid-range low-budget slasher shows usually are. But it works better than some.
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