Terror TWOsdays: WTF and HANK BOYD IS DEAD
[Editor’s Note: Terror TWOsdays is my latest column, just an excuse to talk about more horror films. Notably, I’ll be hitting up two independent, lesser known, and/or underappreciated horror and horror adjacent movies. And with that, I bring you two films to fear. Stay tuned for the official intro graphic in the coming weeks… but check out these films now!]
Wtf! (2017)
Three years ago, twenty-two year old “girl-next door” Rachel barely survived a brutal massacre that left all of her friends murdered. Time has passed, and Rachel has moved on, but unfortunately her close friends are spending Spring Break in a secluded house in the woods, and they have cordially invited her to join. She would never have accepted the invitation if she realized that another bloodbath would be showing up as plus one. Once Rachel and her friends arrive at the cabin, the partying, sex, and… terror begins. From girls’ only pillow fights to debauchery in a bedroom, it’s going to be a blast… aside from the stabbing, flesh melting, and castration. Seven friends will go into a secluded house for the best Spring Break of their lives, but only one will be alive to post about it on Facebook the next week, as Rachel’s biggest fears become a reality once again! Can Rachel survive another bloody massacre?
Released today, you can actually go check out this teens vs. psycho slasher flick right now on Amazon Prime (go ahead, I’ll wait!). While I was able to predict the ending in part somewhat early, the film had some twists I could never have expected and some creative kills. In other words, Wtf follows the tropes and formulas, while also finding ways to rewrite the tropes and contort the formulas; this is what a horror film is supposed to do.
Without a doubt, this is worth a watch or three. Slasher fans will find a lot to like here. Meanwhile fans of the psychological thriller may also be able to pull back some layers and explore what is really going on. There is a good deal to like for a good amount of horror fans. The acting is solid, the script is interesting, and the film is really well paced. Besides, at just an hour and 20 minutes, you don’t need to invest a ton of time.
And, seeing as I’ve been rewatching FX’s The League in preparation for football season, I’ll rate this one on a scale of 1 to 5 fear boners. In this case, I’ll give it a solid 3 fear boners and give it priority on the waiver wire (or, in this case, your watchlist).
Hank Boyd is Dead! (2015)
A young woman hired to cater the post-funeral gathering for accused killer Hank Boyd discovers his crimes and death may not be what they seem.
Another recent drop onto Amazon Prime, Hank Boyd is Dead is an intriguing watch itself. With a bit of a Mother’s Day vibe (mind you, I’ve only seen the 2010 Darrin Bousman remake and not the 1980 original), this is a black comedy thriller about a fucked up family and their fucked up deeds. As the film unravels, we learn more and more about what the family has done and who they really are.
While this one wasn’t quite my cup of tea and suffered from some pacing issues, it was a fresh take on the genre. Even in comparing it to Mother’s Day, the comparison is loose at best; this is a very original and interesting idea. In that, I must give the filmmakers a ton of kudos.
So, I once again suggest you give it a try over at Prime… and I give it 2 and a half fear boners and a Shiva-blast for originality.
