Bruce McDonald is a name with whom few readers will likely associate with anything, but for those few of us who do, we know this Canadian-born filmmaker has some under-appreciated talent. Perhaps his best-known film, McDonald wowed genre film fans in 2008 with his groundbreaking PONTYPOOL. Since then, rumors and theories about a follow-up sequel have endured endless revivals in smaller circles of horror fandom. So, despite having a few lesser-known non-horror films to his name since 2008, I and others were excited to see McDonald return to horror just in time for Halloween.
HELLIONS is McDonald’s latest film, written by Pascal Trottier, best known for screenwriting THE COLONY (2013), combines McDonald’s unconventional storytelling sense and Trottier’s knack for cerebral flair. The film stars Chloe Rose as Dora Vogel, an apathetic teenager who unexpectedly discovers she’s pregnant and must survive Halloween night when her home is invaded my trick or treaters wanting much more than candy. An overbearing mother and a lack of direction in her life are quickly the least of her worries as she stays home alone on Halloween night and finds herself the target of some creepy child-like tormenters.
The first thing I noticed about HELLIONS was how familiar it felt. The film serves up a number a standard features for Halloween-themed horror films. The devilish trick or treaters often reminded me of the beloved Sam from TRICK ‘R TREAT (2007) but also, as the film progresses, brought back nostalgic memories of watching Stephen King’s CHILDREN OF THE CORN (1984). The film takes place in a small town, one which certainly evokes that of Haddonfield, Illinois. There’s even a moment when Dora cracks a joke about how the town would probably disappear from the map if not for Halloween.
These are all things that lead one to believe HELLIONS is McDonald’s ode to the cherished holiday of horrors. We can read even further into this, if we like, including connections to such films as Roman Polanski’s 1968 classic, or as a stretch, even to Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 masterpiece, as Dora lives on Overlook Road. I’ll refrain from digging any deeper at this time, given the spoiling nature of such a pursuit. Ultimately, all of this alleged homaging is not the purpose of the film.
In returning to the meat of the film, HELLIONS also stars veteran actor Robert Patrick as the town’s sheriff Corman, who has a close relationship with Dora. Corman serves as a crucial supporting role later in the film, but Dora is not just the central character in the film but also damn near the sole focus. In many ways, HELLIONS is a single character-driven psychological mind-screw as we travel through the fears and nightmares Dora endures. McDonald does not spoon-feed his audience, shying away from any traditional horror formula, even if the film as a whole fails to present any truly original idea of its own.
Once the film comes full-circle, certain to have lost some viewers and engaged others into giving birth to a far-reaching tangent of theories and side stories connected to the film, HELLIONS is a sonically and visually captivating horror film that will serve well for Halloween viewing, given its relatively short 80-minute run time. Anything more and the meat of the film would have rotted off the bone, leaving just the skeleton of a good idea. McDonald successfully pares down the film, keeping it smart and spunky.
HELLIONS also co-stars Rossif Sutherland as Doctor Henry and Rachel Wilson as Dora’s mother Kate. Once again, these characters have minor significance in the grand scheme of the film, but rather serve as pawns in McDonald’s game of gory chess to setup the ensuing insanity. The film boasts some respectfully accomplished special effects that are low-key but highly effective and also an eerie, intensely-disturbing score that is beyond creepy, if not somewhat repetitive in its recycled usage. I will give special acknowledgment to cinematographer Norayr Kaspar, who captured Dora’s tormented mind and soul as an external interpretation on film. This goes a long way in making McDonald’s vision an intriguing experience, despite the film’s flaws.
HELLIONS opens in theaters and VOD on Friday, September 18th, 2015.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
