There is a reason I don't watch many slasher movies, and movies like "Hayride" are exactly the reason. It's not that I expect something new or mind blowing, but sometimes I just wish more creativity was present. And maybe more care. I can't for the life of me imagine anything that would be more boring in the world of film than to sit down and write a slasher script. What would be the point, even? Evidently there are people who just love it, and that love making them, and "Hayride" is just feeding it with the same snooze. Besides being based on the redneck version of Haunted Houses, "Hayride" is dressed in the same cloth as any other "masked-killer-returns" horrors from late 70's an onwards. The movie is set on Halloween, and a guy is returning home just in time for the Haunted Hayride. He is bringing his girlfriend, but has made sure she understands where she's going, telling her about his uncle, as well as his uncle's favorite story to tell: the legend of Pitchfork. Pitchfork is said to be out there looking for his daughter who ran away, but is the legend really true? Pitchfork is the main focus on the Haunted Hayride. The only problem is that the Pitchfork mask is gone, and little do they don't know that someone else is taking upon the role of Pitchfork. Or is it the real Pitchfork? How did I do? Did I scare you enough? Did I build up lots of tension? Did you start to question whether the legend is real or not? The movie sure didn't do any of that. Now, it's not as bad as some backyard flicks in its production, but at least those you can accept for the fact that they are made with little care to begin with. "Hayride" is low budget, sure, but it has the bland characters, unimaginative antagonist and yawn-inducing violence that has nothing to do with production values. There are some issues in the production values themselves, but that's nothing new. You're quite prepared for stale performances, day-for-night shots, pointlessly added CGI rain and blood squirts, and so on. It's not really an issue for the movie. Of course, it doesn't help it either. The movie does try to give us a justified back story, and to its credit it's not terrible. But they tell it in a really cheesy way, with an overly stylized frame around the flashback, and it's really pushing it in length. The story itself, that Pitchfork is out there looking for his daughter that ran away, and killing everyone in the way, isn't too shabby at all. It might not break new ground, but it's at least on par with some much superior movies' back stories. And that's quite a compliment, I think. The kills in the movie are often nothing attention-worthy. I did enjoy one kill somewhat: when someone wearing a cheap Jason Voorhees mask is hit in the face with an axe, and the mask sticks to the axe. Even that's stretching it. But I guess it's a simple thing to do, but was creative enough to stand out in an otherwise lackluster slasher. The amount of gore and blood isn't great, but it's enough for me to not be overly annoyed about it, and just little enough so that I don't take much notice. "Hayride" might appeal to some huge slasher fans. We're talking about those who also love the hell out of the post-"Scream" phase that ended sometime in the early 00's. "Hayride" isn't much more than that, and probably worse than many of them. It's more in style with "Friday the 13th" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (if you only count the chase scenes towards the end) than "Scream", but you get the point. It's a slasher flick in 2013 (2012), and it does absolutely nothing to break the mold.
15 Reviews
Hayride
a_baron5 April 2015
How to describe "Hayride" ? A rather pointless slasher flick, a genre that by 2012 had been a cliché for two if not three decades. Here we see a mysterious character - mysterious in a sense, because there is never any doubt as to his identity, not that it matters - murdering people left right and centre, guys as well as gals just in case there are some in the audience who might be tempted to play the "violence against women" card. Audience, what audience? Heck, would anyone watch this if it were not on YouTube? Seriously, as someone said of a Snoopy Green film, I saw it for free, and I still want my money back.
If you are into gore, very weak special effects, the occasional shriek of a damsel, and a mystery that can't be solved because it is really no mystery, you might find something of interest here, or as Abraham Lincoln said once, people who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like.
If you are into gore, very weak special effects, the occasional shriek of a damsel, and a mystery that can't be solved because it is really no mystery, you might find something of interest here, or as Abraham Lincoln said once, people who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like.
Hayride: Not as bad as they say, but still bad
Platypuschow25 August 2017
Starring Kindergarten Cop (1990) bad guy Richard Tyson we have this generic slasher with antagonist Pitchfork. Big well rounded masked individual with *Drumroll* a pitchfork.
Full of bad editing, cut away deaths (A real pet hate of mine) and little originality this slasher flick really doesn't bring anything new to the table.
Revolving around the men and women providing the annual "Hayride" a scary tractor trailer pulled night time experience and our pitchfork wielding maniac.
The ending is pretty dreadful as is the film, but it has it's merits you just need to dig really deep to appreciate them.
The Good:
Richard Tyson
The Hayride experience is kind of neat
The Bad:
Very generic
Poorly edited
Awful ending
Full of bad editing, cut away deaths (A real pet hate of mine) and little originality this slasher flick really doesn't bring anything new to the table.
Revolving around the men and women providing the annual "Hayride" a scary tractor trailer pulled night time experience and our pitchfork wielding maniac.
The ending is pretty dreadful as is the film, but it has it's merits you just need to dig really deep to appreciate them.
The Good:
Richard Tyson
The Hayride experience is kind of neat
The Bad:
Very generic
Poorly edited
Awful ending
Why?
parry_na12 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Don't be put off by the 'cheeky' packaging. It features a hooded figure that could be Michael Myers (and who doesn't appear in the film) and the 'Halloween' part of the title is highlighted in a familiar font. But this is nothing to do with any 'Halloween' series – it was originally called 'Hayride' and then 'Pitchfork Murders' before settling on its current derivative title.
Colours are quite garish, unusually for a horror – making the grass look grassier, the (CGI) rain look rainier and the blood look bloodier! Then the cutesy young couple show up making fun of creepy local superstitions. They are not obnoxious in the way teens are often portrayed as being, but as their bland, squeaky exposition continues, I look forward to the prospect of the stocky escaped 'bat **** crazy' killer coming for them – although as events roll on, their inoffensive simplicity is probably the most consistent thing about this story.
The Halloween Hayride takes place at the same time as the legendary killer appears to be on a killing spree. So while the young people are having a great time scaring each other, nearby a couple of policemen stumble upon a number of the killer's victims. Do they warn the youngsters about what is happening? Not at all. This is a curious lack of logic that makes it difficult to retain interest in the goings-on. The twist is that the person we think is the killer actually isn't, and the heroine decides that the moment of their assailant's death is the time to announce she is pregnant. Cue a post credits scene that reveals the killer isn't dead after all.
Low budget films can be incredibly good. They belie a lack of resources by being unconstrained by the limitations imposed by big studios and money-men. But when the main purpose appears to be the intention of making a horror-by-numbers that has been done many times before in the last 25 years, it's confounding.
Colours are quite garish, unusually for a horror – making the grass look grassier, the (CGI) rain look rainier and the blood look bloodier! Then the cutesy young couple show up making fun of creepy local superstitions. They are not obnoxious in the way teens are often portrayed as being, but as their bland, squeaky exposition continues, I look forward to the prospect of the stocky escaped 'bat **** crazy' killer coming for them – although as events roll on, their inoffensive simplicity is probably the most consistent thing about this story.
The Halloween Hayride takes place at the same time as the legendary killer appears to be on a killing spree. So while the young people are having a great time scaring each other, nearby a couple of policemen stumble upon a number of the killer's victims. Do they warn the youngsters about what is happening? Not at all. This is a curious lack of logic that makes it difficult to retain interest in the goings-on. The twist is that the person we think is the killer actually isn't, and the heroine decides that the moment of their assailant's death is the time to announce she is pregnant. Cue a post credits scene that reveals the killer isn't dead after all.
Low budget films can be incredibly good. They belie a lack of resources by being unconstrained by the limitations imposed by big studios and money-men. But when the main purpose appears to be the intention of making a horror-by-numbers that has been done many times before in the last 25 years, it's confounding.
too much blah blah in stead of action
trashgang21 November 2016
Hayride is supposed to be a slasher, an ode to the slashers. And in fact it is really a slasher, can't disagree about that fact but sadly it's missing a few points that are a must be done in slashers. There isn't any point of view from the killer and there's no nudity.
Still I can live with that fact but there's more going on. Sadly this flick is on the boring side because it do has a lot of talking going on and a lot of stupid conversations. But not only that. Most of the killings are done off-camera which naturally doesn't add a positive note towards the horror.
The story itself did had a lot of potential but it's the flick itself that really isn't almost watchable due that fact of not showing the horror.
Hayride is low budget but doens't offer a nice ride.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 1/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5
Still I can live with that fact but there's more going on. Sadly this flick is on the boring side because it do has a lot of talking going on and a lot of stupid conversations. But not only that. Most of the killings are done off-camera which naturally doesn't add a positive note towards the horror.
The story itself did had a lot of potential but it's the flick itself that really isn't almost watchable due that fact of not showing the horror.
Hayride is low budget but doens't offer a nice ride.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 1/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5
Terrible beyond words
gressman0720 October 2019
I'm often amazed at 1 star reviews, but is one case where I could understand. I can honestly contend that this is, without doubt, without hyperbole, the absolute lowest of the low. In several years of Octoberfest, dozens upon dozens of Halloween based films, this one bites the dust (in hindsight, previous worst "House of Fears" is Oscar worthy in comparison).
The opening bits between guy and girl and his family had a certain charm, authenticness perhaps. It seemed a 5/10 (my default, basically neutral or passable). 45-55 mins in, it loses its intro period grace and just keeps knowing at the bone. I honestly doubt there was a script with entire segments just going on and on and on, seemingly entirely improved and not even edited. Actors blatantly looking into the camera.
There is no humor, no gore, no good kills, no nudity, no budget, no script, no editing. The sound effects are overused stock and the "score" consists of old classics that are free to public domain.
The "kills" are entirely cut-away. Someone is seen walking, we cut away to shot of killer, killer makes stabbing motion, we cut away to victim who suddenly has ketchup on neck, stomach, etc. That or killer sneaks behind and we get an implied but never seen back stab. No effects or effort made. Not a single decent kill will be found.
This movie is absolute drivel that anyone could do with probably 50 dollars worth of Halloween toy props and a phone, provided you can get people to "act" and supply some vehicles. By 55 mins, I simply gave up and fast forwarded through the pathetic kills and lame ass ending. I've seen bad films before but this takes the cake. 2/10 is a new low for me, as is having to actually resort to fast forwarding. I honestly hope I can spare someone from this experience, you will undoubtedly regret it. Beyond the niche appeal of Halloween based films, it holds absolutely no value to horror or film at large
The opening bits between guy and girl and his family had a certain charm, authenticness perhaps. It seemed a 5/10 (my default, basically neutral or passable). 45-55 mins in, it loses its intro period grace and just keeps knowing at the bone. I honestly doubt there was a script with entire segments just going on and on and on, seemingly entirely improved and not even edited. Actors blatantly looking into the camera.
There is no humor, no gore, no good kills, no nudity, no budget, no script, no editing. The sound effects are overused stock and the "score" consists of old classics that are free to public domain.
The "kills" are entirely cut-away. Someone is seen walking, we cut away to shot of killer, killer makes stabbing motion, we cut away to victim who suddenly has ketchup on neck, stomach, etc. That or killer sneaks behind and we get an implied but never seen back stab. No effects or effort made. Not a single decent kill will be found.
This movie is absolute drivel that anyone could do with probably 50 dollars worth of Halloween toy props and a phone, provided you can get people to "act" and supply some vehicles. By 55 mins, I simply gave up and fast forwarded through the pathetic kills and lame ass ending. I've seen bad films before but this takes the cake. 2/10 is a new low for me, as is having to actually resort to fast forwarding. I honestly hope I can spare someone from this experience, you will undoubtedly regret it. Beyond the niche appeal of Halloween based films, it holds absolutely no value to horror or film at large
Richard Tyson...
Krackoon26 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The best way to describe 'Hayride' - is just another run of the mill slasher flick. You know, big guy finds a mask and kills people for the hell of it? That kind of thing. It's been done numerous times, and most of those stunk, too.
But does anyone else remember Richard Tyson growing up? I still remember this guy from 'Three O'Clock High.' You know, the 26 year old man who somehow finds himself still in high school picking on wimpy kids. I've never met Richard Tyson, but he comes across as the kind of guy you'd want to hang out with - but you'd fear for your life while doing so. So, what about 'Hayride?' Well, it stinks - everything about it stinks, other than the fond memories of Buddy Revell.
Random Rambling's of a Madman: This review has little to do with the actual movie 'Hayride,' and rightfully so, since it stinks, anyway. I'd like to spend this time thanking Richard Tyson, not for being a great actor - that's never been a reachable goal - but for the fond memories, and for being that cool dude that you'd want to meet and hang out with.
But does anyone else remember Richard Tyson growing up? I still remember this guy from 'Three O'Clock High.' You know, the 26 year old man who somehow finds himself still in high school picking on wimpy kids. I've never met Richard Tyson, but he comes across as the kind of guy you'd want to hang out with - but you'd fear for your life while doing so. So, what about 'Hayride?' Well, it stinks - everything about it stinks, other than the fond memories of Buddy Revell.
Random Rambling's of a Madman: This review has little to do with the actual movie 'Hayride,' and rightfully so, since it stinks, anyway. I'd like to spend this time thanking Richard Tyson, not for being a great actor - that's never been a reachable goal - but for the fond memories, and for being that cool dude that you'd want to meet and hang out with.
Very misleading
christopheratkinson-3322114 March 2022
The front cover of the DVD has a bloke in black hoodie with Jason from Friday the 13th hockey mask but instead we get a Jason lookalike big sack over his head just like Jason before hockey mask killing with a pitchfork.
A new horror icon?
james_depaolo8 January 2013
Hayride is a story about a convicted serial killer who is being transferred and escapes. While this is happening a little ways down the road is the annual hayride event that is built around the legend of Pitchfork. Pitchfork's story is told to us as flashbacks at a campfire hang out, his story is not so much a serial killer one at first, he is a man who was over protected of his daughter and family and when his daughter ran away he went into a rage and started killing people to find her. The locals are not sure if this story is fake or real, and they are also unaware that a couple miles down the road an escaped serial is on the run. That is what makes this film such a fun little watch; it gives you two threats, one that is real and one that is an urban legend? This film plays out like the beginning of something more than an actual film, which is not a knock. This felt like the first chapter of a story that I hope we get more stories from. Like the original Halloween, a lot of the movie is story based and dialog based, but the dialog all seems like they are trying to build a franchise or at least a sequel, they are making the story so interesting that you know they were looking past part one.
This is a low budget indie slasher, and the film really kept a decent pace, though the story telling at times does seem to get a little heavy, but trust me the third act of this film makes up for it. While the kills are low budget, the suspense and music to the scenes really was a winner. This film builds a tense, and does not let up till it gets to the payoff to the scene, which for the most part was fun and jump worthy. The ending was smart and clever, and it will get you trying to think about everything you just watched, because it painted a scenario that has me hoping they give us more. This is a horror film made by a fan for the fans. This makes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre look like Sesame Street, the chainsaw is dead it is time for you to meet the Pitchfork. Horror has a new icon. Forget Hollywood, support the Indies they are still respecting you horror fans, wait till you see this one.
8.5 out of 10 wicked channel.com
This is a low budget indie slasher, and the film really kept a decent pace, though the story telling at times does seem to get a little heavy, but trust me the third act of this film makes up for it. While the kills are low budget, the suspense and music to the scenes really was a winner. This film builds a tense, and does not let up till it gets to the payoff to the scene, which for the most part was fun and jump worthy. The ending was smart and clever, and it will get you trying to think about everything you just watched, because it painted a scenario that has me hoping they give us more. This is a horror film made by a fan for the fans. This makes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre look like Sesame Street, the chainsaw is dead it is time for you to meet the Pitchfork. Horror has a new icon. Forget Hollywood, support the Indies they are still respecting you horror fans, wait till you see this one.
8.5 out of 10 wicked channel.com
I WANT TO BE YOUR SLEDGEHAMMER
nogodnomasters16 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This pleasant low budget horror film takes place in LA (Lower Alabama). It has a main plot and a minor subplot. Steven (Jeremy Ivy) brings his girlfriend Amanda (Sherri Eakin) home with him around Halloween. We get to hear and see some of the local flavor as the film builds their character, lines like, "You're not from around here" and "roads that go no where." And of course every proud small town in the south has "the best BBQ in the state." They plan to take Capt. Morgan's Haunted Hayride, a local tradition which features "pitchfork man" based on a local story. Here in Barnwell, we have "rakeman." He doesn't kill people, he just rakes leaves, sort of like Sling-blade, but creepier.
Meanwhile a killer has escaped who might pass for Toj Johnson's son. In the opening scene the killer walks slow dragging an ax. He is able to catch up to a young panicking female at a flat out run...okay she stopped to rest for a second. A pair of odd couple cops are looking for him. Their lines were stale and predictable.
This was a low budget production. In spite of that the filming aspects, special effects, etc were done well. They filmed in color, didn't use any hand held stuff and had multiple camera angels (i.e. multiple cameras), just like real movies. The acting was so-so, to fairly decent. The Hayride itself takes nearly an hour to happen.
While the film wasn't bad, it barely held my interest. The dialogue was too boring with the opening restaurant scene lasting way too long. The slasher scenes needed panache. Makes for a mediocre rental. I won't rush out and buy.
Parental Guide:F-bomb. No sex or nudity.
Meanwhile a killer has escaped who might pass for Toj Johnson's son. In the opening scene the killer walks slow dragging an ax. He is able to catch up to a young panicking female at a flat out run...okay she stopped to rest for a second. A pair of odd couple cops are looking for him. Their lines were stale and predictable.
This was a low budget production. In spite of that the filming aspects, special effects, etc were done well. They filmed in color, didn't use any hand held stuff and had multiple camera angels (i.e. multiple cameras), just like real movies. The acting was so-so, to fairly decent. The Hayride itself takes nearly an hour to happen.
While the film wasn't bad, it barely held my interest. The dialogue was too boring with the opening restaurant scene lasting way too long. The slasher scenes needed panache. Makes for a mediocre rental. I won't rush out and buy.
Parental Guide:F-bomb. No sex or nudity.
The legend of Pitchfork is born
Stevieboy6662 April 2021
Rural Alabama, the Moon is full and it's time for the annual Halloween Hayride event. Bodies are piling up, is it the work of an escaped killer or is the legend of the maniac Pitchfork really true?
I'll get straight to the point, this is a poor and unoriginal movie. Pitchfork wears a sack mask (as did Jason in Friday the 13th part 2), we even have a cop called Loomis (Halloween)! The only actor of any credit is Richard Tyson, but let's be honest that's not saying much. Some scenes have incredibly annoying shakey cam, combined with bad acting this makes a rather horrible viewing experience. Most of the kills are off screen or in the dark, there is little in the way of gore and absolutely zero nudity. However Hayride does have a decent enough kill count, I liked the rural locations and the addition of some classical Beethoven music was welcome. If, like me, you are a die hard slasher movie fan and you're in need of a stalk 'n' slash fix then Hayride will just about suffice. I do feel a tad generous awarding this 4/10 but I have seen far worse than this.
There is a brief post end credits scene that hints at a sequel, which did indeed come about three years later.
I'll get straight to the point, this is a poor and unoriginal movie. Pitchfork wears a sack mask (as did Jason in Friday the 13th part 2), we even have a cop called Loomis (Halloween)! The only actor of any credit is Richard Tyson, but let's be honest that's not saying much. Some scenes have incredibly annoying shakey cam, combined with bad acting this makes a rather horrible viewing experience. Most of the kills are off screen or in the dark, there is little in the way of gore and absolutely zero nudity. However Hayride does have a decent enough kill count, I liked the rural locations and the addition of some classical Beethoven music was welcome. If, like me, you are a die hard slasher movie fan and you're in need of a stalk 'n' slash fix then Hayride will just about suffice. I do feel a tad generous awarding this 4/10 but I have seen far worse than this.
There is a brief post end credits scene that hints at a sequel, which did indeed come about three years later.
Rural Modern Slasher
daniel-mannouch6 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Halloween Haunting (Hayride) benefits from rustic environments, grounded characters and sound design that hits the nail on the head way more than it misses. More Tobe Hooper than John Carpenter, The film displays the best of what rural genre film making can offer.
Vast fields and abandoned country houses is where most of the film takes place and it contributes to the suspense no end. This is a film that relies on mood more than anything else and provides it in spades.
Few negatives but they do effect the film considerably. The camera work firstly leaves a lot to be desired. Most of the shots are either overtly shaky, blown out or too dark. Natural light is relied upon too much and gives off an amateurish feel regarding the cinematography. Not to say there aren't some great vistas taken within the magic hour, but more often than it should, the film becomes too dark to see.
Whilst the sound design is really impressive, the actual music and songs featured in the film are either cliched or unfitting. This is especially noticeable in the campfire story scene, where the classical music chosen is just poorly implemented and is just a determent.
Halloween Haunting is a moody southern horror film that has great atmosphere and at times engrossing storytelling. It is quite bloodless by today's standards, but it makes up for that with suspense and tension. I recommend it fully.
Vast fields and abandoned country houses is where most of the film takes place and it contributes to the suspense no end. This is a film that relies on mood more than anything else and provides it in spades.
Few negatives but they do effect the film considerably. The camera work firstly leaves a lot to be desired. Most of the shots are either overtly shaky, blown out or too dark. Natural light is relied upon too much and gives off an amateurish feel regarding the cinematography. Not to say there aren't some great vistas taken within the magic hour, but more often than it should, the film becomes too dark to see.
Whilst the sound design is really impressive, the actual music and songs featured in the film are either cliched or unfitting. This is especially noticeable in the campfire story scene, where the classical music chosen is just poorly implemented and is just a determent.
Halloween Haunting is a moody southern horror film that has great atmosphere and at times engrossing storytelling. It is quite bloodless by today's standards, but it makes up for that with suspense and tension. I recommend it fully.
Big Man. Big Fork. Big Problem...
azathothpwiggins6 October 2021
Two events collide in HAYRIDE creating the backbone of the story: #1- A behemoth-sized, mass-murdering maniac named Duncan escapes custody and goes on a rampage. #2- an annual Halloween hayride takes place nearby. This occurs after the hayride operators have told the tale of "Pitchfork", a legendary murderer.
Needless to say, Duncan shows up and the gushy fun begins.
HAYRIDE is an ultra-low-budget film that makes the best of its limited resources. Are there moments of clunky-ness? Yes. Is there some cheeeze? Yes, but overall it's an effective enough Halloween retro-slasher. Hell, there's even a bit of character development! Now, THAT'S scary!...
Needless to say, Duncan shows up and the gushy fun begins.
HAYRIDE is an ultra-low-budget film that makes the best of its limited resources. Are there moments of clunky-ness? Yes. Is there some cheeeze? Yes, but overall it's an effective enough Halloween retro-slasher. Hell, there's even a bit of character development! Now, THAT'S scary!...
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