Hell Fest

Name: Hell Fest
Genre: Horror
Released: September 28, 2018
Duration: 89 min
Rating: 25
Cast: Alicia Rosato, Amy Forsyth, Ashley Uecker, Athena Akers, Benjamin Weaver

2018

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 10 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Hell Fest (Red Band Trailer)

Movie Details & Credits

CBS Films | Release Date: September 28, 2018

Starring: Alicia Rosato, Amy Forsyth, Ashley Uecker, Athena Akers, Benjamin Weaver, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Brooke Jaye Taylor, Christian James, Courtney Dietz, Elle Graham, Mason Pike, Matt Mercurio, Michael Tourek, Reign Edwards, Roby Attal, Stephen Conroy, Tony Todd

Summary: College student Natalie (Amy Forsyth) is visiting her childhood best friend Brooke (Reign Edwards) and her roommate Taylor (Bex Taylor-Klaus). If it was any other time of year these three and their boyfriends might be heading to a concert or bar, but it is Halloween which means that like everyone else they will be bound for Hell Fest – aCollege student Natalie (Amy Forsyth) is visiting her childhood best friend Brooke (Reign Edwards) and her roommate Taylor (Bex Taylor-Klaus). If it was any other time of year these three and their boyfriends might be heading to a concert or bar, but it is Halloween which means that like everyone else they will be bound for Hell Fest – a sprawling labyrinth of rides, games, and mazes that travels the country and happens to be in town. Every year thousands follow Hell Fest to experience fear at the ghoulish carnival of nightmares. But for one visitor, Hell Fest is not the attraction – it is a hunting ground. An opportunity to slay in plain view of a gawking audience, too caught up in the terrifyingly fun atmosphere to recognize the horrific reality playing out before their eyes. As the body count and frenzied excitement of the crowds continues to rise, he turns his masked face to Natalie, Brooke, Taylor and their boyfriends who will fight to survive the night.… Expand

Director: Gregory Plotkin

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 89 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

The Film Stage - Mike Mazzanti

Sep 30, 2018

A balance is struck between fun and fear, make-believe terror and actual trauma. It borders on an examination of real pain, still lets you whoop at the madness, then has that cheer catch in your throat. Read full review

RogerEbert.com - Nick Allen

Sep 28, 2018

It’s the closest you can subject people to a horror potluck without being "The Cabin in the Woods." So why can’t the six writers of this story have more fun with this premise? Read full review

IndieWire - Michael Nordine

Oct 2, 2018

A generous reading suggests that its vaguely feminist subtext is intentional rather than a happy accident, and to some extent it may well be, but for the most part Hell Fest simply adheres to long-established genre tropes. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Noel Murray

Sep 27, 2018

Hell Fest has exactly one genuinely nail-biting scene.... Otherwise, the movie does little to update, subvert, or comment on the trappings of classic thrillers like “The Funhouse” and “Halloween.” Read full review

Movie Nation - Roger Moore

Sep 27, 2018

The killings aren’t particularly gripping, there’s little suspense in the earliest ones and the menace is pretty watered down for much of the movie. Read full review

TheWrap - William Bibbiani

Sep 28, 2018

It’s in love with its location and couldn’t care less about the characters. Even the kills are rote disappointments, at least by slasher-enthusiast standards. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Josh Kupecki

Oct 3, 2018

But really, it seems like a movie hatched because someone had access to an amusement park and knew a lot of people in the makeup and lighting department. Read full review

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User Reviews

tombraiderxxx12

Sep 30, 2018

Really took me back to the old slasher movies that I loved! Such a fun and exciting ride!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Dufreshest

Oct 5, 2018

I Watched Hell Fest and Liked It.

Cinematography: 8.912/10 Hell Fest flows well though a few questions are left unanswered throughout. This is a horror film worth owning. Costume Design: 8.897/10 The costumes are on point and work so well with the film. Film Editing: 8.321/10 Solid.I Watched Hell Fest and Liked It.

Cinematography: 8.912/10 Hell Fest flows well though a few questions are left unanswered throughout. This is a horror film worth owning.

Costume Design: 8.897/10 The costumes are on point and work so well with the film.

Film Editing: 8.321/10 Solid.

Make-up and Hair-styling: 8.897/10 Solid.

Sound Editing: 8.621/10 Real good. Sound Editing is so important. So well done. So on point.

Visual Effects: 8.576/10 Solid.

Story: 8.763/10 Solid. Not a corny horror. Well-done. A good surprise.

Acting: 8.219/10 Solid. I'm so glad about no screaming-raging person going off about killing the killer then getting killed. *throws arms in the air* All that screaming for what?

Personal: Hell Fest is a good horror film and timely with Halloween nearing. It's creepy. It's not overwrought. The acting makes the film so much better. The obvious is not so obvious which makes the elements of the film much stronger. A bit of a questionable ending though. Hell Fest definitely stands out as a horror film and sets itself for sequels as well as a potential prequel. The film is full of why-what?!-huh? moments that may really draw an audience in. I'm not big on giving spoilers: this film is surprising and touches on interesting points concerning menaces in society. Heads up, this is not an over-the-top horror film: it's - to me, a basic-good horror film.

Overall: 8.651/10

-K.D.

If you're into Poetry and other bits of creativity, check out my Instagram: @Dufreshest.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Davrosdaleks1

Sep 28, 2018

It's nice to see a couple of new slashers this year. Yeah, I know horror can't be stagnant and has to change. However, it's fun just to sit back and enjoy the simplicity of people just trying fend off some guy who is trying to kill them.

Hell Fest isn't the greatest slasher ever made. ItIt's nice to see a couple of new slashers this year. Yeah, I know horror can't be stagnant and has to change. However, it's fun just to sit back and enjoy the simplicity of people just trying fend off some guy who is trying to kill them.

Hell Fest isn't the greatest slasher ever made. It doesn't reinvent anything and the story is rather basic. Still, it is very entertaining.

The movie follows the characters as they flee the titular horror-themed amusement park, which is the true star of this film. You don't mind the scenes that don't have the killer or action in it, because the place is so much fun. I'm surprised at the amount of production that went into this. This isn't the case of a small area and the characters having to run through attractions introduced earlier in the film. Every location is new. Every employee costume is new. All the scares are new. Hell Fest, the park not the film, truly feels like a true amusement park one could step into. (Alright, the bathrooms are immaculate, but that's the only difference.)

Director Gregory Plotkin was originally an editor and it shows in his eye for the audiovisuals. Cinematography and music are really strong here.

The scares don't stand out too much. (Though there are a couple pretty good kills here.) But it is pretty thrilling. Although there isn't anything too original about the killer, a guy in a mask and a hoodie, the movie does a good job of portraying him as dangerous and cunning. Instead of having him just pop up, the film follows him and one can only watch with apprehension as he stalks the cast. (You do wonder why he never runs into staff when he sneaks backstage, but it is a minimal issue.) The fact that he can blend in so calmly is pretty unnerving.

The story is bare bones. The main character's major problem is that she's been drifting away from her friend, which is only second to the dead relative cliche. The dialogue is basic. (The exhibition at the beginning is pretty weak.) But, once they're hanging around the amusement park, I didn't care. The actors were clearly having fun and one would like to hang with them. Overall, I really enjoyed myself.

P.S. Blair Butler contributed to the script. Remember her? She used to appear on G4. She'd guest host sometimes on X-Play or Olivia Munn's Attack of the Show. Anyone? It's not just me right? Anyone? Anyone?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

br_moore

Sep 30, 2018

I was pleasantly surprised by Hellfest! It was filled with believable and actually quite good performances, genuine thrills, a few brutal kills, and great pacing. The setting was put to great use making for an overall well-done mix of fun, paranoia, and chaos.
The killer himself was nothingI was pleasantly surprised by Hellfest! It was filled with believable and actually quite good performances, genuine thrills, a few brutal kills, and great pacing. The setting was put to great use making for an overall well-done mix of fun, paranoia, and chaos.
The killer himself was nothing to write home about but was pretty intimidating with his presence. Also, there was some iffy writing, and the ending was a bit on the "whatever" side. In the end, Hell Fest is by no means a masterpiece, but it did exactly what it needed to and did it consistently well throughout. I had a good time with it, and it made me feel the way I did as a kid watching the old "Halloween" slasher flicks.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

WonderZ

Oct 29, 2018

It may not be a perfect film, it has it's flaws. but, it is a film that embodies the spirit of Halloween. I enjoyed watching it using boxxy software.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

tropicAces

Sep 28, 2018

I have a soft spot for slasher films, and I can’t say this is anything great, but it has some fun kills and there were plenty of people covering their eyes in scared glee. Take all that how you will.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

JLuis_001

Oct 6, 2018

I suppose that audiences has made the film studios believe that because Halloween is near, they will swallow any ineffective horror ideas that they produce.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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