One of my most highly anticipated original genre releases of the year – at least in my humble horror eyes – is director Gregory Plotkin's HELL FEST, which sounds like an old-school slasher movie – and I am in serious need of a new big screen slasher boom.
Starring Bex Taylor-Klaus of MTV's SCREAM: THE TV SERIES, Amy Forsyth, Reign Edwards, and Christian James, HELL FEST recently wrapped production, and now we have the film's poster and teaser trailer for your viewing pleasure.
Produced by Gale Anne Hurd (THE TERMINATOR, THE WALKING DEAD) and written by William Penick and Chris Sey, the film follows this killer synopsis:
A masked serial killer turns a horror-themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show.
College student NATALIE (Forsyth) is visiting her childhood best friend BROOKE (Edwards) and her roommate TAYLOR (Taylor-Klaus). If it was any other time of year these three and their boyfriends might be heading to a concert or bar, but it is Halloween which means that like everyone else they will be bound for HELL FEST – a sprawling labyrinth of rides, games, and mazes that travels the country and happens to be in town. Every year thousands follow Hell Fest to experience fear at the ghoulish carnival of nightmares.
But for one visitor, Hell Fest is not the attraction – it is a hunting ground. An opportunity to slay in plain view of a gawking audience, too caught up in the terrifyingly fun atmosphere to recognize the horrific reality playing out before their eyes. As the body count and frenzied excitement of the crowds continues to rise, he turns his masked face to NATALIE, BROOKE, TAYLOR and their boyfriends who will fight to survive the night.
Again, even though this looks like "typical" PG-13 teen horror fare, I can't help but look forward to it. The idea of a masked slasher (hence a "who-dun-it" plot) in an amusement park is just too good of a premise for me to personally pass up. How about you? Let us know below!
CBS Films and Lionsgate will release HELL FEST in theaters September 28, 2018.