Hellmington

This film had the makings of something really interesting. The lead develops from stone cold bitch to something more interesting (although a longer run time may have made that process a little more organic), Michael Ironside is solid as ever and a whole host of weird and wonderful characters get introduced but never fully explained.

The plot, though rather conventional, has enough to sustain momentum beyond the 80 odd minutes of the film so why the crunch on runtime?

Without giving too much away, it's worth a watch and would easily be a 7+/10 if the filmmakers had just given it time to breath!!

The story distorts perspective by forcing elements of near psychotica inducing moments that cause you to question the protagonist's mental state. "HELLmington's" main plot is a suspensful mystery involving a cold case that once revealed is disturbing, and relevant. It plays out like a dark web nightmare version of a ID channel episode.

At the start, the film is both confusing, distorted and emotionless. A stylistic trick that is as visually creative as it is questioning. Much like the actually story line- what happened in 1999?, Who is messing with Samantha Woodhouse?, and how much of the story is even real? I can't tell if this warping of the film's beginning is intentional artistry or accidental. I did find it intriguing.

The cast create some stoic, gothic characters reminiscent of Fargo' or 'Twin Peaks'. There are moments when the story trips on it's own weightiness. It is a dark, slumbering plot. Still, "HELLmington" begins to show it's true depth of darkness around 50 minutes in and the suspense and chilling nature becomes elevated.

The horror never really gets there fully, but atmospherically it is creepy- in a sleepwalking down an alleyway after midnight- kinda way. There is visual elements that play on occult horror thems, much in the way 'Riverdale' did it with the Gargoyle King. The cinematography moves from unimaginative stationary shots to some truly stunning horror fueled thriller moments. Overall "HELLmington" is a nice, chilling nightmare with a twist ending.

Would be very good if not for the rushed and stupid ending... All movie it was very captivating and engaging...good story,acting,build up... the last 5 minutes spoiled everything...would be a solid 6 stars.

Really there was not any horror elements to this film. More of a Drama, and somewhat a mystery, but not by much. As another review mentioned the ending seemed rushed and was really ineffective in giving the movie a good stamp. Can not recommend.

The old city person unimpressed by country people trope. Our "hero" goes around being rude to everyone in the town she grew up in with a big chip on her shoulder. It was exhausting seeing her two maybe three emotions - arrogant disdain, fear, and unexplained petulance.

Written by some LA city aholes pretending they know something about decent small town life. They get to prove their own points by writing this crap.