Hellbender DVD and Digital Review

4 star creepy and atmospheric folk horror.

Hellbender is an independent horror film, made during lock down in 2021 and is entirely a family undertaking.

It is written and directed by husband and wife John Adams (The Shoot) and Toby Poser (Rumblestrips) and their daughter Zelda Adams, who all also star, along with their other daughter Lulu Adams.

It is a Shudder Original film available to own on DVD and Digital from 5th September 2022 courtesy of Acorn Media International.

“Maybe I could just have one friend? All I need is one.”

Izzy (Zelda Adams) is a young girl living alone on a mountain with her mother (Toby Poser). She is home schooled and denied contact with other people due to an autoimmune disorder which makes her vulnerable.

The two are happy enough together, Izzy writes songs and they have their own heavy rock band called H6LLB6ND6R which allows them to let off steam. Mother, it seems, also has a few secrets up her sleeve as we see her carrying out some strange rituals in the woods and making short work of trespassing hikers (John Adams).

Now 16 years old, Izzy is starting to get itchy feet and wants to perform their songs live and get out and meet other people, but mother still says no. One day Izzy wanders further into the woods and comes upon a neighbours property where she meets Amber (Lulu Adams), a young girl of her own age.

She is invited to a party and is keen to go, but when a drinking game results in her eating a live worm, she discovers a hunger she didn’t know existed and begins to realise that it might not have been her that her mother was trying to protect.

“Drink up, but don’t p**s in the pool.”

Hellbender is a really well made film, imaginatively shot and incredibly effective, despite it’s obviously low budget. There are some pretty good special effects but what stands out most is the excellent acting from this family group, who also do most of the other work on the film.

The cinematography is good too, with some fascinating camera work highlighting the surreal and occult goings on. It’s a great idea for a coming of age story, with the character wholeheartedly embracing her new found heritage, even down to an underground lair only accessible by a slightly grim meat tunnel. The soundtrack is brilliant too with some excellent songs which add very nicely to the atmosphere.