David Pierdomenico
Despite being a staple of the Halloween season, there are frighteningly few films based around haunted house attractions. Besides 1981’s The Funhouse and 2015’s The Funhouse Massacre, neither of which are too well known, this component of the holiday has always been underrepresented. In addition, there aren’t very many decent horror films based around the holiday of Halloween itself. Hell Fest seeks to remedy both.
Unique Slasher Concept
The film opens with a tense and dark scene as a haunted house guest attempts to flee from a masked killer, who can easily evade capture since there are countless other people at that location dressed like that, wielding bloody weapons. From there we meet a group of the most poorly written character clichés; complete with the studious final girl, her best friend attempting to get her a boyfriend, the annoying comic relief character whose dialogue sounds like it was written by a 12 year old, and a few guys who are more boring than irritating. At first it might seem to drag the film down, but given how unlikeable the characters are, it does make it all the more satisfying to watch the killer dispose of them in gruesome fashion.
What’s most compelling and disturbing about the film is the realization of how easily it could really happen. Millions of excited visitors flock to haunted houses every year, and they’re already filled with people in costume and scary decor. In the film, it’s mentioned that one of the murders went unnoticed for three days, as people merely thought the corpse was a prop. It’s quite frightening to consider the fact that it might not be very difficult to get away with a murder or two at an attraction like this. Seeing this film will only add to the tension of being approached by a costumed performer at one of these haunts. Because what if this is the one that actually has killing in mind? And as loud as you may scream, it will only be drowned out by all the other screams of scared guests.
Lack of Tony Todd
Despite being featured prominently in all advertising, some fans may be disappointed that horror legend Tony Todd barely gets more than a few minutes of screen time. He appears in person in just one scene and his voice is heard as a sort of narrator for the different attractions throughout Hell Fest itself. Given the film’s limited budget, it’s very likely that the production company could only afford to pay Tony Todd for a day or two of work. It’s a practice not at all uncommon with any low budget, independent film. Having a well-established name like his helps draw viewers to see it. And while it would have been fun to see more of him, they make the most of it by sprinkling his voice throughout.
The Spirit of Halloween
By far, the film’s greatest strength is its sense of atmosphere. As previously mentioned, there aren’t too many horror films based on haunted houses, or based around Halloween itself. While watching this film, the greatest feeling it will evoke is a strong desire to go to Hell Fest. For horror fans, October is always a special time of year because it’s the one time that the whole world celebrates what they love all year round. And Hell Fest basks in this beautifully. In time, it will easily join the list of films like Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Trick ’r Treat, and Night of the Demons, as films that conjure the very spirit of the holiday. Sure it has cheesy characters, and all the same slasher clichés, but it’s the perfect film for a group of horror fans to watch on Halloween night!
