RATING: A-

Atlas Distribution presents a Bald Man Films and Convoke Media production. Directed by Kevin Wayne. Produced by Kurt Deimer and Todd Slater. Written by Bernadette Chapman. Cinematography by David Brower. Edited by Daniel Gradilla, Scott B. Hansen, and J. Zachary Thurman.

Stars Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Hallie Shepherd, Ariana Livingston, McKain, Keller Fornes, Acorye White, Megan Weaver, with Kurt Deimer, and Kevin Wayne. 

A real-life tourist attraction becomes the focal point for a chaotic wild ride in this horror film from the duo of Kevin Wayne and Kurt Deimer. 

Years ago, an accident occurred in a small town in Alabama. At a local tourist attraction called Hellbilly Hollow, a teenger working there named Bull attempted to save his brother when the camper they were living in catches fire. Bull and his brother survived, but Bull has a parial scar while his brother has hit a growth spurt and sports a clown mask to hide his disfigurement and is known as Tickles. 

Despite the accident, the brothers open Hellbilly Hollow every year, but this year is special as a group of social media influencers who follow the paranormal have heard stories about the attraction. They are interested in making a video about Hellbilly Hollow and Bull agrees to let them come to film. Meanwhile, the brothers deal with nuisances who try to cause trouble and soon enough, the influencers have targets on their backs when they learn the truth about the brothers. 

Remember the 2022 film Spirit Halloween? Where the famous seasonal horror store was the focal point of a film that was a family-friendly supernatural horror film? Well, we have another real-life attraction as the focal point for a horror film. Only this time, it’s the titular Hellbilly Hollow, located in Vincent, Alabama. The duo of director Kevin Wayne and rock star/producer Kurt Deimer came up with a pretty good film from a screenplay by Bernadette Chapman that brings vibes that mesh Behind the Mask and Blair Witch Project vibes with some pretty good performances and even more fun kills.

Wayne and Deimer not only are the force behind the screens, but they take on the central roles of Tickles and Bull respectively. Bull is the mastermind who keeps his little brother in check and even goes as far as going off on him when Tickles kills a new worker at the attraction just for talking to him. Bull also will not tolerate anyone who causes trouble, including ruffians who attempt to break into the attraction before it opens just for hits and giggles. When the influencer crew shows up, for the most part, they respect Bull’s rules and it is when they realize there are missing people who were last seen nearby that they become potential targets. 

The kills of the film are great to watch. One victim ends up becoming disguised as a whack-a-mole, which leads to the game becoming deadly. Remember how lawn darts have been deemed the most dangerous toys in the world? Well, there is a scene where this proves to be true with an amped up twist to things. As if that’s not bad enough, Tickles is excellent as well, showing his brute strength in the vein of Leatherface, but using more bladed weaponry as opposed to a chainsaw. Finally, the third act reveals a massive shocking twist that is totally unexpected and yes, leaves room open for a sequel, which would in this case, be awesome!

Hellbilly Hollow takes advantage of the real-life attraction in a positive way and is perfect for a horror film. Kevin Wayne and Kurt Deimer are a winning team here both in front and behind the cameras. The kills and twists really elevate this from being a by-the-numbers indie horror film and here’s hoping there will be a sequel!

The film will be released in select theaters on September 25.