Motel Hell

Critics Consensus

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Movie Info

People come from far and wide to sample Farmer Vincent's distinctively flavored dried, smoked sausages, but one might well ask why there are so few people staying at his nearby motel. This horror comedy provides the graphic answer. It seems that the good farmer only uses the highest quality, specially processed human meat in his treats. To prepare the meat, he first harvests healthy tourists from his hotel. Next, he plants them into the ground up to their necks and with a sharp knife carefully slices their vocal chords. He and his portly sister then feed the victims until the meat is tender and well marbled with fat. Afterward they are promptly slaughtered, minced with a few secret herbs, and stuffed into sausage casings, which are then carefully aged in the smokehouse. His operation is abruptly cut off when Vincent's normal brother, Bruce, learns about the secret ingredients. In the end, the brothers grab chain saws and have a hilarious, blood-soaked showdown. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating:

R (adult situations/language, violence)
Genre:

Comedy, Horror
Directed By:

Kevin Connor
Written By:

Robert Jaffe, Steven-Charles Jaffe
In Theaters:

Oct 18, 1980 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Aug 27, 2002
Runtime:

101 minutes
Studio:

United Artists

Cast

Rory Calhoun
as Vincent Smith

Paul Linke
as Bruce Smith

Nancy Parsons
as Ida Smith

Nina Axelrod
as Terry

Wolfman Jack
as Rev. Billy

Elaine Joyce
as Edith Olsen

Dick Curtis
as Guy Robaire

Monique St. Pierre
as Debbie

Rosanne Katon
as Suzi

E. Hampton Beagle
as Bob Anderson

Michael Melvin
as Ivan

Everett Creach
as Bo

John Ratzenberger
as Drummer

Marc Silver
as Guitarist

Victoria Hartman
as Female Terrible

Gwil Richards
as Mr. Owens

Shaylin Hendrixson
as Twin #1

Heather Hendrixson
as Twin #2

Margot Hope
as Dixie

Barbara Goodson
as Voice #1 (voice)

Kim Fowler
as Voice #2 (voice)

Paul Linke

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Critic Reviews for Motel Hell

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (7)

Motel Hell retains its own brand of madness by being eerie and holding onto its satirical humour.

May 1, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

C.H. Newell
Father Son Holy Gore
Just on sheer chutzpah, it's got to be one of the most wholly worthwhile American horror films of the early 1980s.

Dec 5, 2016 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy
Motel Hell is a rather well-executed dark comedy that plays it fairly straight, much thanks to the outstanding performances from Calhoun & Parsons who give the film a nice sense of gravity against the film's more cartoonish supporting characters.

Jan 7, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Heather Wixson
Daily Dead
The movie is slapsticky and obvious, but it includes one genuinely nightmarish concept: Vincent and Ida cultivate a secret garden of moaning and gurgling burlap sacks -- bags that cover the heads of the couple's buried-to-the-neck victims.

Nov 13, 2014 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
A perverse film, both in its humor and its horror.

Aug 21, 2014 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat
[Blu-ray Review] For genre fans of the offbeat, horrific and tongue-in-cheek, Scream Factory's impressively packed Collector's Edition Blu-ray release of "Motel Hell" is worth seeking out.

Aug 12, 2014 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Dustin Putman
TheBluFile.com
...a low-budget shocker that's picked up a sizable cult following over the years, thanks in no small part to Calhoun, whose welcoming smile and aging matinee-idol looks made his turn as a villainous madman fond of human flesh all that more effective.

Aug 11, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Keith Phipps
The Dissolve
As always, Shout! Factory has done an admirable job restoring the film to optimal quality and providing a ton of fascinating in-depth extras, but it's not nearly enough to cover up the fact that the film simply wasn't worth the trouble of digging up.

Aug 10, 2014 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…

Jeff Beck
Examiner.com
It's meant to be weird, campy and funny but settles for being tasteless, gruesomely awkward and moronic.

Mar 24, 2006 | Rating: C- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
People buried up to their necks and raised for food. Yum? A drive-in classic.

Oct 15, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

Steve Crum
Kansas City Kansan
Campy fun that's worth checking in for a visit.

Mar 18, 2004 | Rating: 4/5

Gerry Shamray
Your Movies (cleveland.com)
Though there's certainly some fun to be had with a gruesome horror/comedy that doesn't pull punches in either genre, it delivers the goods only sporadically.

Jun 9, 2003 | Rating: 72/100

Scott Weinberg
Apollo Guide

View All Critic Reviews (24)

Audience Reviews for Motel Hell

Jan 01, 2012

Motel Hell is a gem of 80's horror sleaze. The premise is quite ridiculous, but is a terrific horror comedy. Directed by Kevin Conner, Motel Hell is one of those films that though is not perfect; should be seen by every horror fan. Motel Hell is pure camp, and if you enjoy cheesy horror flicks, then look no further than Motel Hell. This film has it all. What makes this film so enjoyable to watch is the bizarre premise for the films plot. What I enjoyed about Motel Hell was that it was a parody of more serious films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho. Director Kevin Conner definitely delivers good comedic elements here, and it's what makes this film such a memorable viewing. Motel Hell is a must see horror comedy fans. The acting is corny, but despite this, lead actor Rory Calhoun gives one memorable performance as Farmer Vincent. Another performance worthy of mention is that of legendary radio DJ Wolfman Jack as Reverend Billy. As a whole, Motel Hell is a fun, zany and unique horror comedy that like I said needs to be seen. This is mindless silly fun that will appeal to anyone looking for a good horror comedy. The film is more tongue in cheek than anything, but for what it is, it delivers good entertainment. I think that Motel Hell is one of those unique classics that most horror fans have seen, but a great majority of genre fans haven't seen. Either way, this is one of those films that surely every horror fan has heard about. Not a perfect film by any means, Motel Hell is nonetheless essential for every horror fan to watch at least once. A truly unique horror film.

Alex r Super Reviewer
Nov 01, 2009

MOTEL HELLo is probably the most contrived name for lodgings since HOTel cORAL esSEX. Rory Calhoun sells the best smoked meats in the county. Only one catch, it's people! PEOPLE! although it has a few effectively disturbing moments, overall this was one of the most boring horror films I've seen in a long time. Did have a funny last line from Calhoun though...

Grifty G Super Reviewer
Oct 24, 2009

Wonderfully psychotic and laugh-out-loud funny.

Tim S Super Reviewer
Oct 18, 2008

Not a horror film, but a dark comedy (notice the tag line- "you might die laughing"). Can be considered one of the first splat-stick comedies. It's humor was heavy influence on the rest of the gore related movies of the 80's. The chainsaw battle at the end is a classic of 80's gore cinema.

Anthony V Super Reviewer