What we have here is the story of three sisters who inherit a motel fro ma grandfather they've never met. Their father, who is also estranged but in contact periodically, warns them not to go, but they ignore him and bring some friends along for a camping expedition. Your father may be a jerk and a drunk girls, but on this occasion he may just actually be right... grandfathers in creepy motels are something to avoid.
Although I was going to see this film anyway as part of the After Dark Horrorfest, what caught my attention was the high rating on the Internet Movie Database, where it was getting a ten from more than half of the voters, making it the highest rated horror film ever. One suspects that what happened is the director, the cast and all their friends came and voted ten, because as soon as it hit theaters, the rating dropped like a rock (and no one in their right mind could consider this anything like a ten). I hope this didn't fool too many people into going (although you should support independent film).
When I first left the theater, I thought to myself this film was alright. Sure, it had some really cheesy one-liners, some poor acting at parts and a digitally-added blood spurt in the beginning I thought was dumb (and a weak version of the beginning of "Headspace"). But overall it was okay, if you like young people being chased through the woods by thug killers with hatchets. I love that sort of thing, you know?
The more I thought about it, though, I just kept thinking it had nothing really special in it. Nothing that makes it different from any other film in the genre. Some critics say it's too much like the X-Files episode "Home" (though I can't say for sure from memory). I saw glimpses of "Cabin by the Lake". The old "the cop is in on the scheme" bit is way overdone. The "family secret" meme is overdone (but still works if done right). And the whole idea of lunatic inbred killers is just something 2007 was too full of with more "Wrong Turn" and "Hills Have Eyes" sequels.
The plot in general has some holes if you think about it. Why did they want the bloodline pure? Did it somehow give them an advantage? It would appear not, with Cain and Abel the way they were. Why did the twins kill people? I mean, I can understand not mating with them, but why kill them? Just rent them a room like anyone else... at least in the case of Sam (the adopted sister).
I could complain about how all the women in this film were weak and if the men didn't keep rescuing them they'd all be dead or worse. I'm a big fan of the "final girl" idea and horror films making women the stronger sex, but I guess we have to have at least one film with a tough male hero.
Again, if you like thugs with hatchets, this film is good but nothing special. It does have some drugs and a rather amusing sex scene. So there's something. But if you're not planning on seeing all eight of the After Dark films, don't make this one a priority... you'll be disappointed.
Although I was going to see this film anyway as part of the After Dark Horrorfest, what caught my attention was the high rating on the Internet Movie Database, where it was getting a ten from more than half of the voters, making it the highest rated horror film ever. One suspects that what happened is the director, the cast and all their friends came and voted ten, because as soon as it hit theaters, the rating dropped like a rock (and no one in their right mind could consider this anything like a ten). I hope this didn't fool too many people into going (although you should support independent film).
When I first left the theater, I thought to myself this film was alright. Sure, it had some really cheesy one-liners, some poor acting at parts and a digitally-added blood spurt in the beginning I thought was dumb (and a weak version of the beginning of "Headspace"). But overall it was okay, if you like young people being chased through the woods by thug killers with hatchets. I love that sort of thing, you know?
The more I thought about it, though, I just kept thinking it had nothing really special in it. Nothing that makes it different from any other film in the genre. Some critics say it's too much like the X-Files episode "Home" (though I can't say for sure from memory). I saw glimpses of "Cabin by the Lake". The old "the cop is in on the scheme" bit is way overdone. The "family secret" meme is overdone (but still works if done right). And the whole idea of lunatic inbred killers is just something 2007 was too full of with more "Wrong Turn" and "Hills Have Eyes" sequels.
The plot in general has some holes if you think about it. Why did they want the bloodline pure? Did it somehow give them an advantage? It would appear not, with Cain and Abel the way they were. Why did the twins kill people? I mean, I can understand not mating with them, but why kill them? Just rent them a room like anyone else... at least in the case of Sam (the adopted sister).
I could complain about how all the women in this film were weak and if the men didn't keep rescuing them they'd all be dead or worse. I'm a big fan of the "final girl" idea and horror films making women the stronger sex, but I guess we have to have at least one film with a tough male hero.
Again, if you like thugs with hatchets, this film is good but nothing special. It does have some drugs and a rather amusing sex scene. So there's something. But if you're not planning on seeing all eight of the After Dark films, don't make this one a priority... you'll be disappointed.