Hellbender

Name: Hellbender
Genre: Horror
Released: February 24, 2022
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 70
Cast: John Adams, Judy Rosen, Khenzom, Lulu Adams, Rinzin Thonden

2022

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 11 Ratings

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5.4

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5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Hellbender

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Movie Details & Credits

Shudder | Release Date (Streaming): February 24, 2022 | Not Rated

Starring: John Adams, Judy Rosen, Khenzom, Lulu Adams, Rinzin Thonden, Rob Figueroa, Shawn Wilson, Tess McKeegan, Toby Poser, Zelda Adams

Summary: In Hellbender, 16-year-old Izzy (Zelda Adams) suffers from a rare illness that has kept her isolated on a mountaintop with her mother (Toby Poser) her whole life. As Izzy begins to question her sickness, she pushes back against her confinement and secretly befriends Amber (Lulu Adams), another girl living on the mountain, but her newfoundIn Hellbender, 16-year-old Izzy (Zelda Adams) suffers from a rare illness that has kept her isolated on a mountaintop with her mother (Toby Poser) her whole life. As Izzy begins to question her sickness, she pushes back against her confinement and secretly befriends Amber (Lulu Adams), another girl living on the mountain, but her newfound happiness is derailed after she eats a live worm as part of a juvenile game and finds an insatiable and violent hunger awakened within her. To understand the hunger, Izzy must learn the dark secrets of her family's past and the ancient power in her bloodline.… Expand

Director: John Adams and Toby Poser and Zelda Adams

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 86 min

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Critic Reviews

Natalia Keogan

Feb 23, 2022

Tethered closely to the emotions and artistic sensibilities of the tight-knit family that created it, Hellbender is a can’t-miss foray into folk horror. Unabashedly creepy yet perplexingly comforting, it will inevitably remind audiences of the most eccentric aspects of our upbringings. Read full review

Screen Rant Ferdosa Abdi

Feb 24, 2022

From beginning to end, Hellbender is an impressive, at times shocking, and enthralling triumph. Read full review

Katie Rife

Feb 24, 2022

If there’s a lesson to be taken from Hellbender, it’s this: Underestimate the small and unassuming at your own peril—whether that be the character of Izzy, the film’s real-life creators, or the movie itself. Read full review

The Film Stage Jared Mobarak

Feb 24, 2022

While there’s always a humorous slant to proceedings (kudos to Shawn Wilson’s endearingly pure park ranger), that edge of danger is where it excels. Read full review

Kristy Puchko

Aug 18, 2021

Hellbender, a coming-of-age movie from a family that’s built their own indie horror house, is a captivating, smart, and delightfully witchy tale. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Feb 23, 2022

The acting can feel flat and unpolished, and the intimacy of the story is both an asset and a limitation to its ambitions. But any horror fan looking for the next “came out of nowhere” genre phenomenon need look no further. It’s not the “Citizen Kane” of witch movies, but it’s creepy and DIY fun and well worth tracking down. Read full review

The Guardian Leslie Felperin

Feb 23, 2022

Although made on a tiny budget, this highly original exercise in folk horror punches well above its weight with snappy dialogue, trippy visual effects and impressive camerawork. Read full review

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User Reviews

MrJPrime

Jun 8, 2022

Great cinematography, great directing, all the actors put their heart into it. Watched it on Joe Bob's Drive In and truly enjoyed the co-director's insight.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

OlivierPiel

Mar 2, 2022

It's a "small" movie, in budget and scope. It compensates a stereotypical script and characters by focusing on an inventive photography and an unpretentious and salient editing, which really complements nicely the "earthy", "mineral" tone of the film. A very refreshing, non-hollywoodianIt's a "small" movie, in budget and scope. It compensates a stereotypical script and characters by focusing on an inventive photography and an unpretentious and salient editing, which really complements nicely the "earthy", "mineral" tone of the film. A very refreshing, non-hollywoodian acting is also a big plus.
If I could compare it to a wine, it would be one of those that are restricted in complexity and palate but packing a punch and doing well what they are supposed to do.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

JLuis_001

Mar 1, 2022

Although I found their previous film, The Deeper You Dig , more rewarding, the directors of Hellbender cover their budget disadvantages with a very immersive atmosphere.

The Deeper You Dig wasn't really satisfying for me, but of course I'll give it credit for what it does well, mostlyAlthough I found their previous film, The Deeper You Dig , more rewarding, the directors of Hellbender cover their budget disadvantages with a very immersive atmosphere.

The Deeper You Dig wasn't really satisfying for me, but of course I'll give it credit for what it does well, mostly because I like it when directors work and exploit their resources with an ingenuity that doesn't seek to satisfy those looking for the cheap scares they've become accustomed to with too many Blumhouse films.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

alanpotter17

Mar 2, 2023

Um filme que a todo instante implora para ser cult, criando cenas lentas e com enquadramento mais próximo o possível de seus atores, mas é nítido o esforço e o desconforto d está representando algo tão sem graça. Não falo do roteiro grotesco, antes fosse. E sim da tentativa do roteiro emUm filme que a todo instante implora para ser cult, criando cenas lentas e com enquadramento mais próximo o possível de seus atores, mas é nítido o esforço e o desconforto d está representando algo tão sem graça. Não falo do roteiro grotesco, antes fosse. E sim da tentativa do roteiro em criar algo medonho soando apenas superficial.
Isso porque, ao se basear somente na estética, o filme esquece de criar uma conexão maior com o espectador, apresentando pessoas estranhas que passam a sensação de serem apenas pessoas desinteressantes. Sem um vínculo emocional, já que o roteiro é superficial, não é um cabelo desengonçado com algumas falas toscas que fará com que você se importe. As menos de 1 uma hora e meia de duração passam arrastadas, então caberia um espaço para ao menos apresentar de forma menos superficial os personagens, para que nos importemos com eles.
Mas como isso não é realizado, o terror fica insípido. Ao menos a locação e a fotografia foram acertadas aqui, e a cena com os meninos ficou interessante. Mas o resto é pura baboseira e feita para impressionar, mas são apenas aborrecidas mesmo.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

whelo13

Aug 11, 2022

The word to best describe the film would be cringeworthy. The teams previous film The deeper you dig was at least watchable. I really have to question the motives of critics giving this high scores as this is complete trash. Some visual effects were acceptable but acting, dialogue, story,The word to best describe the film would be cringeworthy. The teams previous film The deeper you dig was at least watchable. I really have to question the motives of critics giving this high scores as this is complete trash. Some visual effects were acceptable but acting, dialogue, story, script were absolutely atrocious. The segues to garage band music videos at random points in the film were excruciatingly cringeworthy to watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

BigMalaka

Mar 21, 2022

Biggest disappointment of a movie in recent memory. Incomprehensible that this movie garnered such high scores. You've been warned.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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