So being that we’re just over halfway to Halloween some of you may want to start indulging your spooky side, if that’s the case do I have the perfect film for you, it’s got everything you need to get you in that edge of your seat scared mood that we all love so much, especially if you are a slasher junkie like me, allow me to welcome you to Hell Fest (spoilers ahead).

Imagine this, you and a group of friends all get tickets to a horror themed amusement park, complete with a seemingly endless number of haunted houses and mazes to explore and get your scream on!

Now think about what it would be like, all the fun, the food, the crowds, the actors, you, and your friends having the best night of your life, until it all goes wrong.

Unknown to you a masked killer has blended their way into the park, and is out for blood, and they have chosen your group as their target.

That’s the premise of Hell Fest, an energetic slasher with heavy theming that truly makes this move shine and keeps you enthralled and clinging to the edge of your seat.

We follow Natalie and her friend group who have gotten themselves VIP passes to the titular Hell Fest a popular haunt attraction and park, which seeks to make patrons skin crawl and drag them through hell and back out the other side.

The film opens in a similar park to the main setting, although this one seems to be at a county fair style location, where we see the first kill of the film and are introduced gruesomely to our villain, the typical silent masked man with a proclivity for bloodshed, violence, and silence.

Back to the present day we find out that the first killing is nothing but old news and hearsay, and we meet Natalie (Amy Forsyth) a scholarship student who is spending some time reuniting with old friends, and acquaintances like Taylor (Bex Taylor-Klaus) who she doesn’t seem too fond of, as she is sure to tell her friend Brooke (Reign Edwards) but those feelings blow over as there are more pressing matters at hand group member Gavin (Roby Attal) who Natalie has a fondness for has gotten the group VIP passes to the ever popular and sold out Hell Fest.

Jumping forward a little into2 the main set piece our protagonist and her friends arrive at Hell Fest, where the darkest night of their lives is about to begin, even if they don’t know it yet.

Soon the group is enjoying themselves, taking in the festivities, and indulging a little in alcohol and generally having a good time, soon however things get a little too real, as the killer, called (The Other) kills a victim in front of Natalie who believes it to be part of the act for Hell Fest.

After that, we see Natalie and crew move on, where things seem smooth for a while, until they aren’t and everyone realizes they are being harassed by the killer whom they still think is just an overzealous employee, even after he steals some photos belonging to Natalie and Gavin, who have grown attached and have a shared love for each other.

Eventually the group makes their way to the Deadlands, a portion of the park where the scares get cranked up to eleven and the employees are allowed to touch the guests, however Gavin stays behind, to win a toy for Natalie to surprise her with later.

Soon Gavin finds his prize in an off grounds area away from public view, where he comes face to face with the killer, and a giant hammer, as we see his head get crushed, and explode in an awesome display of gore that genuinely made say “No Way” it’s great to see a slasher film indulge itself and the audience with some over the top deaths to which this film isn’t lacking.

I’ll know take some time to point out some things I really enjoyed and found out upon doing some research.

First the voice of the attractions seemed so familiar as I was watching the film, and once the credits rolled it hit me like a brick, Tony Todd, that’s right the Candyman himself, makes the movie feel threatening and atmospheric off voice alone, and it’s a nice easter egg for horror buffs upon first viewing.

Secondly, I found myself falling in love with the mask of the killer, it was unique while also being somewhat subtle, and it’s everywhere in this movie, and of course I loved it, it was designed by none other than Tony Gardner, the creator of Screams Iconic Ghostface.

Overall, while the film doesn’t break a ton of new ground, it seems to be built more like a modern love letter to classic slashers, with theming and mood in spades.

Don’t come in expecting an Oscar worthy masterpiece, and instead relax and let the movie do its thing and I doubt any horror fan will find it hard to watch.

I give Hell Fest a solid 8 out of 10 and will for sure be a return viewer when Halloween rolls around.