Film Review: HELLBENDER: Intriguing But Slight Horror Film Boasts Strong Performances [Fantasia 2021]

Hellbender Review

Hellbender (2021) Film Review from the 25th Annual Fantasia International Film Festival, a movie directed by John Adams, Zelda Adams, and Toby Poser, and starring Zelda Adams, Toby Poser, Lulu Adams, John Adams, Rinzin Thonden, Khenzom, Shawn Wilson, Judy Rosen, Rob Figueroa, Tess McKeegan, Tannis Kowalchuk, Jessica Beveridge, and John Adams Sr.

Hellbender tells the story of a teenage girl named Izzy (Zelda Adams) who is home schooled and is told by her mother (Toby Poser) that she has a rare sickness that makes interacting with others risky. The two of them live alone in the middle of the woods and have their own little rock band together. Izzy is timid and always questions what her mother tells her. This mother and daughter duo, though, has ties to witchcraft, especially the mother who seems to make men disappear whenever they may pop up to ask questions.

When Izzy encounters a teenage girl named Amber (Lulu Adams), the movie’s plot begins to unfold. Izzy wouldn’t mind having a friend and she bonds with Amber as they sneak into a private pool and go swimming while talking to one another. When a small group of teenagers play a game together, they end up making Izzy swallow a worm which has an odd effect on her. As the story continues to develop, Izzy starts to learn more about her mother and what she is truly hiding about who (or what) she really is. By the time this mother and daughter are eating maggots together, you’ll be won over by the very interesting bond these two characters create during the course of the film which may or may not be able to be broken.

The premise is slight although as the film begins to pick up momentum towards the end, we get some truly well rendered performances especially the turn from Zelda Adams who plays an insecure but inquisitive teenage girl to perfection. As her protective mom, Poser is intriguing as the character she plays has a tendency to do whatever needs to be done to protect her daughter from harm. When the tables turn on the mother, the audience can’t help but be drawn in as Izzy begins to question what kind of life she wants for herself versus the life her mother wants her to have.

There are some compelling scenes such as when a ranger comes by to ask questions about the recent disappearance of a man. The audience begins to question what is going on and drawing conclusions that are most likely pointing to a supernatural force since the opening scene of the film gives us a look into some wicked witchcraft. What is most fascinating about the film is how we watch the character of Izzy develop right before our eyes. Zelda Adams disappears into her character transforming her from timid to wickedly confident by the film’s conclusion.

Hellbender will maintain your interest throughout even if the plot is pretty threadbare. It’s mostly about the character of Izzy coming into adulthood and realizing the true nature of her mom’s deception. Izzy is as likable a character as you could find in a horror film especially in the opening scenes. When the plot gets more complicated, you may want to take the mother’s side when a debate in the film opens up about how Izzy should have been brought up. Is the overbearing, protective mom too much or are her concerns valid? You’ll want to make your own decision.

While Hellbender sort of makes a decision for its audience as to who is right, whether you side with the mother or the daughter, you’ll be intrigued by the film for sure. It opens up a topic that is like opening up a can of worms. Do we protect our children from any potential harm or make them aware of the truth? And at what age is telling the truth necessary? Hellbender is about those kinds of decisions and their effects on both the mother and the daughter. It’s also a horror picture as well that will appeal to fans of the genre. This is a decent film and is worth seeking out.

Rating: 7/10

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