STOKER HILLS *** USA 2020 Dir: Benjamin Louis. 91 mins
The film starts as a group of friends test out a camera during a lecture by their film professor, played by horror icon Tony Todd. We learn that the friends need to make their final film project. Desperate to be the best, they set out to make something high stakes. Our central trio find themselves in a fight for their lives however, when they are attacked by a psychotic slasher during a night shoot in a sketchy part of town. Their fates depend on the two detectives who gain possession of their camera. A race against the clock begins as the detectives review the footage and discover the students may still be alive.
I’d heard of this movie when it was announced as being in production and had been looking forward to watching it. By the halfway point, I couldn’t believe it – I’d actually been sent a screener for a really good movie! I was just thinking that we need more low budget movies like this – especially found footage ones, when everything started to fall apart.
Sadly, after a fast-paced and highly engaging first half, the solid acting, good effects work, nice
camerawork and engaging plot gave way to poor pacing, pathetic character actions, melodramatic music and an ending that WILL piss you off. I’m calling it now, it’s not a love it or hate it ending it’s an ending that will make you so angry, especially after sitting through the ropey second half. Although I suppose it evoked a strong reaction and went out on a memorable note, so perhaps the filmmakers accomplished their main aim.
Review by Phil Davies Brown
STOKER HILLS is available on Amazon