The Hoard

The Hoard, directed by Jesse Thomas Cook and Matt Wiele, is a 2018 film that combines elements of horror, comedy, and satirical reality television into a thrilling cinematic experience. With a cast lead by Lisa Solberg, Tony Burgess, and Barry More, The Hoard delivers laughs, gasps, and plenty of entertainment.

The movie unfolds against the backdrop of the small town of Fallow, where a group of reality television-based professionals are preparing for their newest endeavors. They aim to film a new, revolutionary show that merges three different genres: home renovation, ghost hunting, and hoarding. Guided by the aspirations of the humorously charismatic producer Sheila Smyth (Lisa Solberg), a real estate agent, a house renovation expert, a paranormal investigator, and a professional organizer are all ready to film their pilot episode.

Their backdrop, an old farmhouse in the rural parts of Fallow, is believed to be haunted and inhabited by a notorious hoarder, Murph Evans (Tony Burgess). It’s up to these professionals to wade through the chaos and clutter, renovate the home, get rid of the spectral entities, and resolve the hoarding issues. As these parallel narratives move forward, viewers get to see the comedic intermingling of the different reality TV tropes.

While at first glance, the house seems to be a massive hoarded mess, our professionals soon realize they've bitten off more than they can chew - a reality that becomes more and more apparent as they dive deeper into the house. The story begins taking a dark turn, as our ill-fated foursome presses on against ghostly happenings, a colossal mass of accumulated junk, and horrifying discoveries about the house and its last inhabitant.

The movie features a balanced blend of comedy, unanticipated scares, and eerie suspense. The cast's performances are commendable, with Lisa Solberg's Sheila striking a delightful balance between silver-tongued TV producer and panicking team leader. Tony Burgess's portrayal of the hoarder Murph is both grotesque and intriguing, with Barry More and the rest of the cast providing able support to the narrative. The cleverly tangled web of the reality TV genre trope satirically sewn throughout the plot makes this movie a distinctive and uniquely enjoyable watches.

Jesse Thomas Cook and Matt Wiele smartly deploy horror elements within the plot, packaging them within the reality TV show setting and adding an exciting layer to the narrative. The eerie atmosphere, ensured by the film's tight cinematography, and the suspense-filled background score further amplify the viewing experience.

The Hoard is a comedy-horror satire that effectively mocks the melodrama and manufactured suspense common in reality television while simultaneously building its own twisted, horrifying story. The blend of horror, comedy, and satire is combined with skillful directing, exceptional acting, and well-timed comedic moments. This makes The Hoard a unique, terrifyingly hilarious film that far surpasses being just another spoof movie.

The Hoard can be considered as a crossover between reality TV style storytelling and horror-comedy genre. The movie provides a distinct concept, a strong and solid cast, creative characterizations, and unanticipated plot twists, all the while managing to hold a mirror up to the absurdities of reality television. It is this effective taking apart of such programming's familiar mechanisms that will make it resonate with an audience that will appreciate the humor and meta-commentary.

The Hoard delivers on all fronts and twists the limits of what can be expected from the film concept. The combination of satire and horror gives the movie a unique place within the crossover horror/comedy genre, inviting audience members to both laugh at the absurdity of reality TV and gasp at the unsettling horrors within the storyline. This movie is perfect for those who don't shy away from a bit of horror-comedy but also enjoy a well-crafted parody.