Butchers Bluff

This was a film that I learned about thanks to Lauren from Breaking Glass Pictures. They sent over a press release with the chance to see the screener. The poster that I saw looked interesting. Seeing that this has been doing festivals made me intrigued to check it out, especially since its wide release is 2025. There's another bonus that a member of horror movie podcast groups that I'm in, Michael Fischer, starred.

Synopsis: when a group of students are looking to make a documentary about the legendary killer The Hogman (William Instone), they get more than they bargained for in this modern take on 1980s slashers.

We start this off with a cold open. There is a couple in a truck, with the male being Chris (Jeremy London). They're hooking up. They take a break to use the bathroom and she is nervous about someone watching them. They're then attacked by this figure in a pig mask.

It is from there that we get the opening titles. Underneath are images of people being brutally killed. We also start to learn more about our killer, The Hogman. It is thought to be a mentally disturbed boy who escaped from a nearby mental institution. The people of the town know the lore, they tend to stay away from the woods, but no one is fully sure if The Hogman truly exists.

This story is what draws Rodger (Fischer), Nicole (Paige Steakley) and Derick (Johnny Huang). They see an easy opportunity to make a documentary for a project. They decide to invite along friends to make the most of the trip. They include Rodger's friend Bobby (Dakota Millett) as well Jake (Santiago Sky), Tina (Kayla Anderson) and Samantha (Samantha Holland). Something here is that Bobby tries too hard to hook up with the women and they mock him for it.

They arrive and catch the attention of Sheriff Joe (Paul T. Taylor). He doesn't believe in the legend, but also doesn't want them messing around in the woods. Others living here who get interviewed are Mrs. Carpenter (Brinke Stevens) and Jed (Bill Oberst Jr.). There are varying people that claim to have seen The Hogman and tell their stories. Our team gets to see that he's all too real and this trip turns into a nightmare.

That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I'll start is with my own history with slasher films. Growing up, I loved them. I've come to realize that my favorites are the classics. The next tier has ones that I enjoy. It then comes down to two things for me. We need to either have good characters or kills. Interestingly, this one does have both. Let me delve more into what I thought then for this one.

Starting with the premise, I rather enjoyed that. It feels like it is paying homage to something like Friday the 13th, The Burning, Madman or any of the slasher films where there is this local legend about the killer. This gives just enough backstory and mystery to make our characters wonder who is committing these crimes. There's that element of our group we follow are outsiders. This is a small out of the way village. It made me wonder, did our group cause the killings to happen due to them going to places they shouldn't or is this just something that's been building and finally broke. Gary (Shawn C. Phillips) and a couple of hunters go out searching for The Hogman too. This setup works for me.

Then to start getting into what I look for in this subgenre, let's discuss the characters. Rodger and his crew are interesting. Not all the characters are likeable, but that's not an issue. It works in its favor as they're all distinct. We then have an interesting group of townspeople, who aren't as recognizable but that feature cameos by the likes of Stevens, Oberst, Phillips and London. We have a larger number of characters for cannon fodder. When it comes to slasher films, that works in its favor so I'll credit there.

Let's shift over to talk about the acting performances. This is the first thing I've seen Fischer in and I'll be honest, he's solid. He was my favorite character here. Credit to his performance. Steakley, Huang, Millet, Sky, Anderson and Holland are all distinct in their roles as this main group. That worked. The cameos that I referenced previously were fun. I could see them pulling in viewers potentially. Taylor is good as the sheriff as well. Instone brings good size to The Hogman. Everyone fits their role for a movie like this.

All that is left then would be the filmmaking aspects. The first thing is that we have a great setting. This takes place in a cabin near the woods. Classic slasher set up there. I thought that the cinematography and framing capture the setting. The nearby small town adds to it as well. Something that was impressive was the kills. This goes brutal at times without going over the top. They do cut away and my guess is that this was practically done so they hid the seams. Credit to the team there. The killer wearing a pig mask is good. I appreciated that. The soundtrack and design also fit. There is a major gripe that I have is that this runs too long. Trimming this to 90 minutes would be best. Even just 15 minutes off could help. I also don't love that this ends with a potential set up for a sequel. It just feels a bit incomplete for how long it goes on.

In conclusion, I rather enjoyed this homage to slashers of the 1980s. This is inspired by the set-up, location and the folklore. We have a distinct enough group of characters as well as enough to be 'cannon fodder'. The acting was good in bringing them to life. We got a solid array of brutal kills, which made me smile. I'd also say this was made well with the practical effects, cinematography, framing and setting leading the way. The biggest gripe that I have is that this runs too long. It bogs down a bit due to that while also not ruining this. If you're a slasher fan, I'd recommend checking this out.

My Rating: 7 out of 10.

If your wanting a horror movie the has the feel of the 80's and the feel for the texas chainsaw massacre 1974, or just wanting a good slasher flick, you are in for a treat. The feel of the movie has a great feel for the texas chainsaw massacre. Definitely heavy influences. The kills are great. Storyline is good, the backstory for Alex is good. Acting is good. Characters are pretty decent. Some familiar actors and actress. For a slasher fan film it's definitely. A great watch. A++++. Would recommend this one for any horror fans. I definitely hope to have a sequel cause it definitely set it up for one.

Butcher's Bluff is a thrilling homage to the gritty slashers of the 1980s, packed with high-energy kills, practical gore effects, and a masked killer who makes a lasting impression. Following a group of college students investigating the legend of the Hogman, the film captures the eerie small-town atmosphere of Emerald Falls with its Texas-based locations.

The Hogman is a formidable antagonist, and fans of Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre will appreciate the film's nods to classic horror. Paul T. Taylor delivers a standout performance as Sheriff Joe, bringing depth to the story, while Michael Fischer as Rodger adds a welcome dose of humor. Nicole, one of the main characters, offers a compelling connection to the killer, adding a fresh twist to the slasher formula.

With a runtime that allows for plenty of creative kills and entertaining cameos from horror icons like Bill Oberst Jr., Felissa Rose, and Tuesday Knight, Butcher's Bluff is a passion project that delivers for genre fans. The film's dedication to practical effects and classic horror storytelling makes it a must-watch for anyone who loves a good, blood-soaked slasher.

Butchers Bluff gets off to an appropriate start with a gratuitous display of breasts as a couple go at it in a pick up. And it's not long after that that they fall victim to The Hogman, an escaped mental patient named Alex (William Instone, The Sawyer Massacre, Damsel of the Doomed), who allegedly lives in this stretch of woods and is responsible for 28 deaths over the past twenty years.

This has caught the attention of a group of college students, after Roger (Michael Fischer, Up on the Housetop, A Stream That Led to Nowhere ) stumbles upon the story, and he and his associates Nicole (Paige Steakley, Sacred Mask, Lowriders vs Zombies from Space) and Derick (Johnny Huang, Attack of the Unknown, Fear the Walking Dead) decide to make a film a documented on the subject for their next assignment for Prof. Hooper's class and for a bit of fun on the side, they bring along their friends Samantha(Samantha Holland,The Massacre on Halloween Night,Eyes of a Roman) Tina (Kayla Anderson,When Wendy Grew Up, Generation Hope)Bobby (Dakota Millett, Time to Fight, Alita: Battle Angel) and Jake (Santiago Sky, Hollow Lake, The Blood Order) for some after hours partying, what else is there to do in the middle of nowhere?

While I had indeed never heard about this 2023 horror movie titled "Butchers Bluff" prior to sitting down to watch it here in 2025, I needed no persuasion to do so. Why? Well, it was a movie that I hadn't already seen. And it was also a horror movie, and I am a big fan of all things horror.

The movie's cover was actually the reason why I stopped and took notice of the movie. It was interesting, but at the same time just oozed with a particular low budget, cheesy slasher feel.

The narrative in the movie is pretty slow paced. Sure, the movie starts out nicely enough, but then falls into a sluggish slump and just slowly waddles onwards. So writers William Instone and Renfield Rasputin didn't exactly put together a particularly exciting or entertaining script and storyline. In fact, it was a bit of a struggle to sit through the movie. After what felt like an hour of nothing much happening, I checked the timer on the movie, and only 32 minutes had passed.

Sure, I harbored zero expectations to directors William Instone and Matt Rifley's movie, as it just had a particular low budget feel to it, and the familiar names on the cast list aren't exactly known for their blockbuster movies. But I still opted to watch it and give it the benefit of the doubt.

The movie does have some familiar talents on the cast list, such as Jeremy London, Bill Oberst Jr. And Brinke Stevens. The acting in "Butchers Bluff" were fair, despite the fact that the actors and actresses didn't really have much to work with in terms of script.

My rating of directors William Instone and Matt Rifley's 2023 horror movie "Butchers Bluff" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.