Hell Hole (2024) - Movie Review
What if I told you there was a movie that merged the styles of Larry Cohen and John Carpenter?
Curious?
Let’s discuss.
Disclaimer: I am absolutely biased. I love the Adams Family and all of their films.
If you haven’t seen any of their previous films, the Adams are a family of filmmakers that includes Tobey Poser, John Adams, and their children Zelda and Lulu. In my mind, they are the preeminent micro-budget horror filmmakers working today. If you have Shudder, you’ve seen the thumbnails for their previous films Hellbender and The Deeper You Dig (among many others). This is the first of their films that hasn’t had Zelda Adams starring, so I was intrigued.
Hell Hole is a 2024 creature-feature bought to us by Tobey Poser, Lulu Adams, and John Adams. The film focuses on Emily, the forewoman of an American fracking crew as they set-up a new dig in Serbia. Everything goes smoothly until the crew unearth a strange frenchman, garbed in the livery of Napoleon’s army, but that isn’t the only odd thing. The man has a murderous secret that once unleashed, could lead to the death of them all? Will Emily figure out how to overcome this prehistoric terror, and get back to destroying the environment, or will they all fall down into the Hell Hole.
That makes the movie sound wayyyyyyy more serious than it actually is.
And from looking at the IMDB featured review for the film, it seems like the Yelpish-IMDB posters did too.
Having just made three serious films in a row (The Deeper You Dig, Hellbender, and Where the Devil Roams), it only makes sense that they’d need a blow off.
I have only worked behind the scenes on small independent films, and even then I usually fixed props and built sets. All of my experience is in theater. I acted on stage for the first 18 years of my life both in community theater and in the school I attended—but speaking as an actor, it takes a toll on you. Every production wears you down in a different way based on the subject matter. I recall a production of Romeo and Juliet my school put on, and between a month of rehearsals, previews, and then the actual show dates, it becomes the only thing you think about, the only thing you dream about. In my role in R and J, I was the traditional Friar Laurence part of the narrator / eyes of the audience, while my best friend played Romeo. I spent nearly two months finding his dead body day-in and day-out. No imagine doing that, but with your husband, wife, sister, and/or daughter.
Heavy, right?
So with their last three films involving them all dying in different horrific ways,—it was time for a change.
The Adams Family has made a different sub-genre of horror with each of their last few films. They’ve done a Southern Gothic style ghost / thriller, a witch tale, and the good ole’ cannibal family story.
Hence why this movie isn’t serious at all. Yes, the monster is gross and totally plausable, especially as we are in the peak time of the Brain Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri). But between the goofy special effects, and the Benny Hill-esque editing of a handful of action sequences, and the nonsensical wrap-up—it’s obvious they were giving a salute to two of my favorite writer/directors/human beings.
This movie is like is Larry Cohen and John Carpenter made sweet, wrinkly love on SyFy channel.
That being said, this movie is not for everyone. This is a movie to watch with friends while blazed, and that’s okay.
I’m still impressed at how good the movie looked, and I always love to see practical effects utilized.
Check this one out on shudder for an homage to the micro budget films of the past.
Check this one out on Shudder.
Personal Note:
I was in need of a laugh after receiving the results from my MRI. My arm has 4 full tissue tears spread out through my bicep and shoulder, a Torn Rotator Cuff, and a Torn Labrum. I’m out of work, and will be unable to sculpt or use my right arm for about 3 months if everything goes smoothly. I am a high-risk candidate for anesthesia, and I have 2 small children. Not going to lie, I’m slightly terrified. So, I appreciate seeing Toby Poser and crew ham it up.
I’m competing in the Face of Horror Competition to try and win some money to pay my portion of the surgery cost.
If you get a minute—please share, vote, and donate if you are so able. All money and press goes to Starlight Children’s Foundation to help sick kids.
