Bloody Hell (2021) - Movie Review

What do you get when you take a cast of fairly unknowns, give them a sharp-witted script, and drop them into Finland?

A bloody good time - that’s what.

Let’s Discuss…

Bloody Hell is a 2021 horror-comedy brought to us by writer Robert Benjamin and director Alister Grierson. Don’t know who they are? Neither do I, but it doesn’t matter. Both the script and the direction in this movie is tight and concise. The visuals are as sharp as the dialogue in the script. It’s a lovingly crafted horror tale on par with films like Shawn of the Dead and Tucker and Dale Versus Evil.

What’s that?

I’m caught in the moment—in the emotions of finally getting to watch a good movie for this site?

Maybe—but I’m the man with the keyboard—so sit back down Karen.

The film focuses on the Rex, a mentally unstable military veteran—recently released from prison for events relating to his vigilante actions in stopping a bank robbery. Being in the US, he’s bombarded by the talking heads in the media and paparazzi culture. He can’t go anywhere without flashing cameras and microphones being shoved in his face. Feeling trapped by his newfound celebrity, he decided to enact a plan he formulated in prison with a straw an a full clip of spitballs. He’s traveling to beautiful Finland for a quiet vacation. A vacation which quickly turns south when he’s abducted by your average, middle-class-Finnish-cannibal family. Now, down a leg and with his psyche fractured by PTSD, he and his subconscious must find a way to escape and get revenge on his captors. Which is easier said than done as the family has a dark secret straight out of a Hans Christian Andersen horror fable. Will Rex find a way to limp to victory, or will he end up as the Sunday roast? Find out in Bloody Hell!

…and yes, the film is as fun as it sounds.

It’s gorgeously shot with quality gore effects by Jason Baird of Thor: Ragnarok and The Bureau of Magical Things fame and is paired perfectly with the companion soundtrack by Mark Buys.

But the film wouldn’t work without the stellar cast including a knockout debut performance by Meg Fraser. Her performance as the infinitely adorable Alia provides a fantastic counterbalance to the unbalanced, 90’s level action hero vibe given by Ben O’Toole as Rex. They’re chemistry is palpable, which led to them starring together in the new series Barons in 2022. I would love to seem them together in a sequel to this gem.

O’Toole, if you weren’t aware, is a powerhouse. He has a voice reminiscent of a young Clint Eastwood and a swagger rivaling a Lethal Weapon era Mel Gibson. Having performed solid supporting roles in films like Hacksaw Ridge and Detroit, his starring roles in genre films so far have been a head above the normal low-budget leading men of this generation. The surprisingly fun Nekrotronic was his most recent starring role in the genre, and it comes highly recommend as another great Horror Comedy.

If I had to compare this film to anything, it would have be a mash-up.

Yes… I know it’s cheating.

Shhhhh

Shhhh

You’ll get over me breaking the rules, I promise.

This film is Fight Club meets Stan Against Evil.

This is currently streaming as a SHUDDER exclusive.

Check it out, it’s definitely worth your time.