Hellions

Hellions is a 2015 Canadian horror film skillfully directed by genre specialist Bruce McDonald. The atmospheric film, which is both disturbing and visually stimulating, stars intriguing actors like Chloe Rose, Rachel Wilson, and Rossif Sutherland, who all do a commendable job of adding depth to their characters and relevance to the narrative.

Set in the small, remote town of Waterford, the pumpkin capital of the world, Hellions centers around the life of 17-year-old Dora Vogel, played by Chloe Rose. Dora is every bit the quintessential teenager, filled with dreams, aspirations, angst, and a sense of invulnerability, until an unexpected pregnancy jolts her reality. This twist of fate hits Dora on the very day of Halloween, a night notoriously known for creepy and chilling events, making the circumstances extra eerie.

Dora's routine gynecologist visit with Dr. Henry (Rossif Sutherland) turns out to be the starting point of her journey into horror when she discovers she's four weeks pregnant. From this moment, the once peaceful Halloween night gradually begins to mutate into serious macabre as Dora starts encountering a string of sinister events. With the arrival of mysterious and terrifying children donned in Halloween costumes, the horrifying reality of Dora's predicament begins to unravel.

Meanwhile, Rachel Wilson as Dora's mother, Kate Vogel completes the family picture. However, Kate, unaware of Dora's situation, leaves her home alone on Halloween night, unwittingly setting the stage for the approaching horror.

As the night unfolds, Dora's house is laid siege to by the spooky trick-or-treaters, The Hellions. On the surface, they seem like innocent children with their candy bags seeking candy goodness. However, beneath their disguised exterior, they harbor malevolent intentions. Dora finds herself trapped in her own home, fighting these hellions, doing everything she can to protect herself and her unborn child.

Visually, Hellions is a beautifully crafted movie, with its arty dream sequences, striking color palettes, and buckets of gore. The film is shot with infrared cameras which offer an eerie pink glow, a fascinating and unique approach to creating an uncanny atmosphere. These elements combined with the spine-chilling score by Todor Kobakov and Ian LeFeuvre enhances the growing sense of dread, adding a mysterious and lurking vibe to the film's ambience.

Bruce McDonald employs a mix of horror and psychological terror, completely subverting the expected norms of a home-invasion narrative. The seamless blend of horror and suspense, with an unexpected twist of supernatural, keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Through the film, the director's innovative storytelling method instills a sense of eeriness, blending reality with illusion.

Chloe Rose delivers a powerful performance as the terrified pregnant teenager, captivated by fear yet determined to brave her horrifying circumstances. Her wide-eyed panic coupled with the strength of a mother protecting her unborn child is compelling and adds to the nerve-wracking suspense. Rossif Sutherland adds a comforting presence as the gynecologist, Dr. Henry, who turns out to be an unlikely ally in the terrifying conditions.

Despite belonging to the horror genre, Hellions is not just a run-of-the-mill scary movie. The film ventures into the territories of coming-of-age drama and addresses topics such as teen pregnancy and motherhood. Thus, the film not only provides nail-biting horror but also cleverly intertwines these social issues, making it appealing to both the horror and drama movie-goers.

From one horrifying scene to another, Hellions sustains a relentless sense of unease and anxiety that's palpable. It's a breathless, surreal nightmare that unfolds in real-time, constraining and isolating in its sense of doom.

In conclusion, Hellions is a nerve-rattling cinematic experience filled with relentless horror and unexpected thrills. The spectacular performances, immersive storyline, and surreal visuals serve up plenty of chills and suspense. Not only does it successfully deliver a satisfying horror experience, but it also goes beyond by weaving in social commentary, proving the film to be an interesting blend of substantial content and atmospheric terror.