Hayride to Hell is a movie that makes an attempt to trip on the shoulders of horror veteran Invoice Moseley, banking on his unmatched capability to liven up eccentric, disturbed characters. On this case, Moseley takes on the function of Farmer Sam, a person wronged by corrupt county officers and native legislation enforcement. But, regardless of Moseley’s dedication to the character, the movie falters underneath the burden of an unlikable protagonist and a storyline that struggles to seek out its footing.
At its core, Hayride to Hell presents Farmer Sam as a person combating towards a system that has carried out him incorrect. The farm, which has been in his household for generations, is on the verge of being misplaced as a consequence of mounting money owed. As an alternative of taking a extra sensible strategy—corresponding to promoting off a portion of his land—Sam locations all his hopes on the success of his seasonal haunted hayride attraction.
When a cease-and-desist order forces him to close down the hayride, Sam’s descent into insanity begins. In a determined and ill-conceived transfer, he makes a wager that he can scare the county commissioners, the corrupt sheriff, and his dimwitted deputy, together with an unlikeable native couple. This wager units the stage for Sam’s disturbing revenge plot towards these he deems accountable for his misfortunes.
The issue lies in how the character of Farmer Sam is written. Whereas it’s clear that the intent is to color him as a person pushed to his limits, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Slightly than inspiring sympathy, Sam comes off as entitled, bitter, and unreasonable. His frustration with the corrupt sheriff and the county commissioners feels justified on the floor, however beneath that could be a character so disagreeable that it’s troublesome to root for him. No quantity of backstory in regards to the hayride’s legacy on the neighborhood could make up for a way off-putting Sam turns into because the narrative progresses. As an alternative of a relatable anti-hero standing as much as a damaged system, Sam feels extra like an previous man unwilling to just accept the truth of his scenario.
The movie’s underlying message appears to goal for a commentary on the downtrodden combating again towards oppressive forces. In principle, this might have labored, particularly given the corrupt sheriff, sleazy county commissioners, and a rich native couple who embody the very system Sam despises. The issue is that Sam’s more and more deranged actions and lack of redeeming qualities undermine any potential for this theme to resonate. Slightly than a intelligent critique of energy dynamics, it devolves right into a sequence of revenge killings that lack emotional weight.
Hayride to Hell additionally suffers from an implausibility that’s exhausting to disregard. Sam manages to persuade his hayride staff to take part in his revenge scheme, an concept that’s by no means totally defined or justified. The workers, who presumably signed as much as run a spooky hayride for locals, all of a sudden discover themselves complicit in homicide with little to no resistance. Much more baffling is the involvement of Sam’s niece, an EMT, and her companion, who not solely go together with the killings however actively assist eliminate the our bodies and harvest organs to assist Sam make a revenue. The movie by no means provides a compelling purpose for why these characters can be so keen to participate in such a grisly plan, leaving a gaping gap within the narrative’s logic.
Kane Hodder, one other horror staple, stars as Sheriff Jubel. Identified for his iconic portrayal of Jason Voorhees, Hodder brings his imposing presence to the function of the corrupt lawman. Whereas his portrayal provides moments of menace, it’s Hodder’s supply of biting, quippy insults that really stands out. He spits venomous dialogue with a merciless appeal, showcasing a distinct facet of his performing talents past his normal silent, menacing roles. Regardless of this, the character feels underutilized, failing to completely capitalize on Hodder’s strengths as a horror icon.
The movie does, nonetheless, make a daring selection in a scene the place Hodder’s character is about on fireplace. This second carries a specific weight given Hodder’s real-life historical past with extreme burn accidents. Whereas it’s a stunning and visceral scene, it additionally serves as a reminder of Hodder’s resilience and dedication to his craft. The inclusion of this fire-related violence provides an additional layer of stress and discomfort, figuring out the actor’s private historical past with such trauma.
Regardless of its flaws, Hayride to Hell does handle to ship a handful of entertaining moments, notably throughout the movie’s extra artistic kills. The thought of a haunted hayride turning into a entrance for real-life murders is intriguing, and a few of the staged deaths are genuinely ugly. One scene, through which Sheriff Jubel unknowingly kills his son, the chief of a gaggle of native vandals, stands out as one of many movie’s extra stunning moments. One other memorable sequence includes Witch Hazel, a long-time worker who has been stealing from Sam for years. In a twisted act of poetic justice, Sam has her tied to a stake and set ablaze, mimicking the destiny of accused witches, all whereas the hayride viewers, believes it to be a part of the present.
Ultimately, Hayride to Hell is a movie that squanders its potential. With horror veterans like Invoice Moseley and Kane Hodder on board and a premise that might have provided a recent tackle the revenge style, it’s disappointing to see the movie veer into territory that feels each predictable and implausible. Whereas hardcore followers of Moseley or Hodder may discover some enjoyment in seeing these icons sort out new roles, most viewers will probably discover the hayride extra tedious than terrifying.
The movie serves as a reminder that even with gifted actors and a promising idea, horror motion pictures require a deft hand in balancing tone, pacing, and character growth. Hayride to Hell, sadly, misses the mark on all counts, forsaking a muddled mess of missed alternatives and unfulfilled potential. It’s a journey that, very similar to Farmer Sam’s ill-fated hayride, leads nowhere notably satisfying or scary.
Hayride to Hell
Film Data
- Title: Hayride to Hell
- Launch 12 months: 2022
- Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes
- Style: Horror
- IMDb Ranking: 6.1/10 (based mostly on 43 scores)
- Launch Date: September 24, 2024 (upcoming)
Plot Abstract
- A small city farmer exacts bloody revenge on unscrupulous city folks who attempt to steal his land1.
Solid
- Invoice Moseley
- Kane Hodder
- Graham Wolfe
- Allyson Malandra
- Jared Michael Delaney
- Shelby Hightower
- Melanie Martyn
- Brooke Stacy Mills
- Denise Parella
- Chris James Boylan
Manufacturing Particulars
- Shade movie
- Facet Ratio: 2.35:1
Trivia
- The movie premiered on the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA on October twenty sixth, 20221.
- The Colonial Theatre is identical film theatre featured in “The Blob” (1958)1.
Consumer Critiques
- One featured overview gave the film a ten/10 ranking, praising the over-the-top gore and pointless violence1.
- The reviewer highlighted the performances of Kane Hodder and Invoice Moseley1.
- The supporting solid was additionally praised for making the film great1.
Further Data
- The IMDb web page options 2 movies, together with a trailer.
- There are 7 images accessible on the web page.
- The film has a “Coming Quickly” standing, indicating its upcoming launch.
Technical Specs
Facet Ratio: 2.35:1
Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes
Shade: Shade
