Killbillies
(2016/Artsploitation DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: B
When
I first saw a preview for Tomax Gorkic's 2015 horror film Killbillies
(which is also known as Idilia in Slovenia), I was expecting
just another rip off of The Hills Have Eyes. Upon popping the
disc in, I found myself totally engaged the whole time and was
shocked at how great this hidden gem really is. Sure, it has some
inspiration from Hills, but also has a creepy uneasy vibe
evident in other films such as High Tension mixed with a
little Texas Chainsaw Massacre for good measure. This bizarre
film is both effective, simple, but most of all scary. If you're a
fan of foreign horror, this disc should definitely be on your radar.
Two
young models go out into the country with their photographer and his
personal assistant to shoot some new pictures against the beautiful
scenery. When they end up snapping photos on private property, some
of the hillbilly locals come around and aren't too pleased with them
trespassing. These aren't your normal disfigured, dirty, disgusting
Hillbillies though... these fierce people not only like to kill but
also like making liquor from human waste... will the modeling group
get out alive? The film stars Nina Ivanisin (who NAILS it in this
film), Lotos Sparovec, and Nika Rozman.
What
really got me was the ending that I did not see coming and part of
the reason I found this to be so effective. Typically in films of
this nature, they follow a predictable pattern and this one did a
good job of going against the norm. Right when you except one thing
to happen, another does and that's the stuff that makes you think
about the film long after its over. Killbillies has some
brutal sequences, as well that will be sure to please gore fans and
one of the most gruesome [see for yourself] I've seen in cinema as of
late.
The
presentation on DVD isn't half bad with a standard definition
transfer and a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The lossy Dolby
Digital 5.1 surround mix is in Slovenian with English Subtitles that
sounds pretty solid throughout. This film would absolutely benefit
from high definition as it has pretty impressive cinematography and
great scenic shots of mountains and such that would really shine in
1080p.
The
only extra is a trailer, which is a shame because I would like to
know more about this production.
If
you're a horror fan, then I would highly suggest checking this film
out. I am still in shock at how much I enjoyed it!
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
