Review of Hell Fest (2018) by Jeremiah S — 10 Jan 2019

An amazing premise is mostly wasted on a by-the-numbers B-horror flick. Poorly written characters with high-school play level acting unable to bring them to life meets a slasher with no inspiration, development, charisma, or anything else to make him a distinguishable baddie.

The film does have some effective scares and a unique kill or two while the real star of the film is the set design and use of extras in the park itself. Where the lack of extras really hurts the film and its credibility is in the haunted houses themselves. What kind of ultra-popular haunted amusement park would have wide open haunted houses and mazes with no other park guests or employees present? There just isn't anything here that takes any chances or justifies burning such an awesome premise on such a subpar film.

This is a film I wish could get a second try. Take the same concept and put it in the hands of a more capable filmmaker with better actors and you'd have yourself a Halloween-time classic. With this effort, we're left with only an unforgettable idea executed across a completely forgettable 90-minutes of film.