Ridiculous movie, gets a "3" only because the production values are fairly good, considering the budget. But the script and direction are just terrible. Films like this follow a classic formula: a group of good-looking teenagers (typically including a sexy pair, an innocent pair, a stoner or two, and a misfit -in this case a "fat kid") find themselves trapped in a supernatural place (a castle, a cabin in the woods, a cavern, a forest)and mostly perish while trying to escape. If it's done well and with intelligence it's a good movie; done poorly the formula can produce a laughable stinker. IMPALER unfortunately falls in the latter category. Some of the objectionable points include 1) a story that makes no sense whatsoever and isn't even internally consistent: if the kids are being selected as sacrificial victims because of their individual sins- the film is quite explicit that the sexy girl is chosen for being promiscuous and the fat kid for being a glutton- then why are the good kids selected for sacrifice too? 2) laughable characterization, e.g. the fat kid -played by an actor who is actually in fairly good shape- cannot resist eating all the food he can find, even a meal he stumbles across in a dusty, vermin-infested old room. His obsession with stuffing his face is his only characteristic. Likewise the greedy kid can think only of money, etcetera, etcetera... 3) stupid details. The girls know they will be hiking for miles through a Romanian forest yet they strap high heels on their feet. There's a scene in which the good kid -or is it Vlad?- is running down the road accompanied by what I guess is a pair of wolves. It's supposed to be scary but it looks all the world like a college kid out jogging with two lovable puppies. And if Dom is supposed to be a descendant or reincarnation of Vlad -which is what I got out of it- then why did the other kid have the dream that lured them to Transylvania in the first place? Why is the Book of the Dragon written in English at the end? 4) undeveloped horror elements. The film doesn't bother to explain just who exactly are the creatures who kill the fat kid, or who are the shadowy figures often seen flitting around in the background. Where did the succubi who kill the sexy girl come from? And why exactly would Satan release Vlad from hell for killing the kids anyway? 5) Unfulfilled promises. Dracula doesn't appear as the traditional Dracula even though his name is in the title. Prince Vlad of Wallachia appears just once or twice, briefly. Nobody gets impaled in a movie called the Impaler. Two-thirds of the way through the film I was sitting there asking when something -anything- was going to happen. And it didn't get much better from there. With all the talent in the industry you'd think they could get a script doctor to add some clever dialogue or a few interesting plot points before releasing a film like this. At the very least the special effects and gore should be memorable. But The Impaler comes up short on all counts.
12 Reviews
My Review Of "Dracula The Impaler"
ASouthernHorrorFan30 June 2014
The story created in this "return to Gothic horror" is a decent enough concept, but some of the more detailed portions of the story fell flat. I never really felt a connection to the characters or the vision that Hockenbrough was going for in "The Impaler". The story arc kept a mediocre drama but there were no real thrills and the whole atmospheric suspense was missing in this film. The characters were two dimensional and sort-of cliché, even though, it is a major hang-up within the genre, acceptable as long as the cast can sell it. Unfortunately the cast never really convinced me of who they were in "The Impaler".
The special effects in this one try to pull off the blood and guts nightmare but a few scenes failed to do so. The ones that did work created a decent practical effect. The only real problem and major irritation I have with "The Impaler" is that "if you are gonna make a movie featuring Dracula then you bloody well better have Dracula in your film!" Only two maybe three scenes even had the guy on screen. Just a lot of folklore and fabrications that were incorrect and blasphemous to the Dracula mythos, filled with inaccuracies about the Dark Prince. I didn't really care for "The Impaler" , found the film's inability to provide both horror or enough vampire in a film labeled horror and about vampires.
The special effects in this one try to pull off the blood and guts nightmare but a few scenes failed to do so. The ones that did work created a decent practical effect. The only real problem and major irritation I have with "The Impaler" is that "if you are gonna make a movie featuring Dracula then you bloody well better have Dracula in your film!" Only two maybe three scenes even had the guy on screen. Just a lot of folklore and fabrications that were incorrect and blasphemous to the Dracula mythos, filled with inaccuracies about the Dark Prince. I didn't really care for "The Impaler" , found the film's inability to provide both horror or enough vampire in a film labeled horror and about vampires.
garbage
emon-8468320 December 2021
Worst movie I've ever seen
davidvrcoralgables29 November 2013
Ridiculously terrible movie. Horrible, obnoxious acting. Not scary at all. Extremely predictable. These ratings must have been written by the director, as no man in his right mind would enjoy this. I'm 99.9% positive the director created a number of fake accounts to skew the ratings. I wouldn't be so mad if I didn't pay $7.99 on on demand for this piece of junk. I feel like I was scammed, as there are no refunds for bad on demand movies. The director is 25 years old or something... And it shows. Bad story, bad acting, bad directing, and worst of all bad business. And I wouldn't have written so much about this movie but IMDb has a requirement of there being at least ten lines in a review, so I felt it was a necessary sacrifice in order to save others eight bucks!
Total garbage! Stay away.. Damn liers and scammers!
angiris27 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The film is absolutely dreadful. I must be fair though and point out that the beginning had me going for some time. The atmosphere, the storytelling... but all in all it turns into this poor excuse lame teen flick where nobody takes anything seriously other than to get it on with one another... Its an uber stereotypical cliché piece of garbage.
The film actually had potential but the execution of this is so poorly done that whatever hope I had for this evaporated after about 30-40 minutes. I had actually looked forward to this. The Impaler. I thought like..YES! Finally! A historically based film on Vlad Tepes himself. Boy was I wrong!!!
And honestly!! Whats up with all that witchcraft and devil worship... VLAD NEVER SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL!!! Not even literary Dracula did that!!! He turned against GOD!!! and was punished for doing so. Well the Bram Stoker kind anyway...
God....that ending too...so anti climactic... I swear to god the "Oh my god was it all a dream...did I just imagine all the killing and all the evil I committed??" factor is just the icing on top of a huge c r a p cake. Not joking. We get this cliché move that just out of nowhere forces us to question EVERYTHING we've just seen...only to see Vlad..in the shape of some young dude 500 years after his death...LOOKING EXACTLY LIKE HIM....Yea!! not kidding... die and awaken as....you know it.....no one other than... Dracula HIMSELF!! What the F U C K!!!!
Dereck Hochenbrough... If Vlad Tepes were alive today..I have not a shred of doubt that he would have you impaled for creating such a poor piece of garbage and associate it with him...
Please don't ever touch this horror genre EVER AGAIN!!
Ohh yea... And Dereck...You can take your fake reviews..your fake accounts and their fake ratings that resulted in this lousy piece of s h i t got a freaking 6-7 out of 10 and SHOVE THEM RIGHT WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE!
How DARE YOU TRY TO SCAM US LIKE THIS!! How ignorant do you think we are!
False advertising...thats not only illegal but its also SOOOOOO LOOOOOW!!!!!! Anyone remember the Limbo Song?.... How low....can you go.?
And honestly....Why is this film even called the Impaler..when there is like NOT A SINGLE HUMAN BEING IN THE FILM BEING IMPALED.. There one of the teens who end up getting a pipe of something forced through their gut... BUT HONESTLY!! THAT DOESN*T QUALIFY WHATSOEVER!! Get a grip and go read a history book....or simply go read freaking wikipedia or something... What...was it impossible for you to like stage Dracula returning and impaling the other girls and dudes in the film...that would've been immediately better...at least entertaining horror-wise..
God... This is just another disgrace to the Dracula Franchise. Just another slap to the face to Dracula and all his fans...
STOP EXPLOITING THIS TITLE!!!! WE LIKE IT!! MAKE SOMETHING PROPER!!
The film actually had potential but the execution of this is so poorly done that whatever hope I had for this evaporated after about 30-40 minutes. I had actually looked forward to this. The Impaler. I thought like..YES! Finally! A historically based film on Vlad Tepes himself. Boy was I wrong!!!
And honestly!! Whats up with all that witchcraft and devil worship... VLAD NEVER SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL!!! Not even literary Dracula did that!!! He turned against GOD!!! and was punished for doing so. Well the Bram Stoker kind anyway...
God....that ending too...so anti climactic... I swear to god the "Oh my god was it all a dream...did I just imagine all the killing and all the evil I committed??" factor is just the icing on top of a huge c r a p cake. Not joking. We get this cliché move that just out of nowhere forces us to question EVERYTHING we've just seen...only to see Vlad..in the shape of some young dude 500 years after his death...LOOKING EXACTLY LIKE HIM....Yea!! not kidding... die and awaken as....you know it.....no one other than... Dracula HIMSELF!! What the F U C K!!!!
Dereck Hochenbrough... If Vlad Tepes were alive today..I have not a shred of doubt that he would have you impaled for creating such a poor piece of garbage and associate it with him...
Please don't ever touch this horror genre EVER AGAIN!!
Ohh yea... And Dereck...You can take your fake reviews..your fake accounts and their fake ratings that resulted in this lousy piece of s h i t got a freaking 6-7 out of 10 and SHOVE THEM RIGHT WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE!
How DARE YOU TRY TO SCAM US LIKE THIS!! How ignorant do you think we are!
False advertising...thats not only illegal but its also SOOOOOO LOOOOOW!!!!!! Anyone remember the Limbo Song?.... How low....can you go.?
And honestly....Why is this film even called the Impaler..when there is like NOT A SINGLE HUMAN BEING IN THE FILM BEING IMPALED.. There one of the teens who end up getting a pipe of something forced through their gut... BUT HONESTLY!! THAT DOESN*T QUALIFY WHATSOEVER!! Get a grip and go read a history book....or simply go read freaking wikipedia or something... What...was it impossible for you to like stage Dracula returning and impaling the other girls and dudes in the film...that would've been immediately better...at least entertaining horror-wise..
God... This is just another disgrace to the Dracula Franchise. Just another slap to the face to Dracula and all his fans...
STOP EXPLOITING THIS TITLE!!!! WE LIKE IT!! MAKE SOMETHING PROPER!!
It's what you will feel like doing after viewing this film!
iraz1 November 2013
I watched this film based on the External Reviews. I was hesitant but the reviews were all positive and I love GOOD horror films, but there are so many lousy ones made these days.
So, I gave it a shot and I now wonder if they saw the same film I did! There is hardly anything to examining the story of Vlad, just an opening scene that was pretty poor. The rest of the film is the same stuff you see in so many horror films these days - a group of college kids visiting Vlad's castle with the same cast of characters you always see. Several attractive women, make sure you have a blonde in the group! The acting is wooden and pathetic, the "horror" is laughable and it couldn't end fast enough. I am really upset that I was duped again, either the reviewers' expectations are low already from the many poor movies out there or, need I say or suggest what the other option is. I promise myself to NOT be taken again and all I can say is the old adage - "let the buyer beware"!!!!
So, I gave it a shot and I now wonder if they saw the same film I did! There is hardly anything to examining the story of Vlad, just an opening scene that was pretty poor. The rest of the film is the same stuff you see in so many horror films these days - a group of college kids visiting Vlad's castle with the same cast of characters you always see. Several attractive women, make sure you have a blonde in the group! The acting is wooden and pathetic, the "horror" is laughable and it couldn't end fast enough. I am really upset that I was duped again, either the reviewers' expectations are low already from the many poor movies out there or, need I say or suggest what the other option is. I promise myself to NOT be taken again and all I can say is the old adage - "let the buyer beware"!!!!
A total joke
Ringhio812 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Before i decide to watch this movie, i thought i shouldn't have to, cause i've assumed it would be another bad "horror" movie, with no sense at all.
I decided to give it a chance, and i wish i wouldn't have. Another "horror" movie about vampires and count Dracula, very bad executed. Poor and bad acting, no story at all and total predictable. The dear David cc user from the states, said pretty much everything in few lines.
The impaler doesn't have any atmosphere at all, no tense or things to make you scared in some way. It's one from the many similar "horror" movies, with students who go out for a holiday somewhere and face the "consequences" of their choice. The shots of the castle is the only good thing on this movie. Other than that, nothing worth watching on this one. The direction and production are poor and amateur, and it's understandable in a way, cause the director is 27 years old. Although other directors at this age or little older or younger, made good movies, like the well known James Wan did in Stygian movie, 14 years ago.
I am always positive in low budget horror flicks, but i don't embrace any film. Definitely not this one. Don't know if the director or the creators registered in different accounts to give good ratings on this film, or the positive reviews came from them or from 10 years old kids ,but in no way this film deserves a 6 out of 10.
A total pass from me, don't even bother to watch this film. Only if someone is very curious to find out if the positive or the negative reviews are right.
1 out of 10.
I decided to give it a chance, and i wish i wouldn't have. Another "horror" movie about vampires and count Dracula, very bad executed. Poor and bad acting, no story at all and total predictable. The dear David cc user from the states, said pretty much everything in few lines.
The impaler doesn't have any atmosphere at all, no tense or things to make you scared in some way. It's one from the many similar "horror" movies, with students who go out for a holiday somewhere and face the "consequences" of their choice. The shots of the castle is the only good thing on this movie. Other than that, nothing worth watching on this one. The direction and production are poor and amateur, and it's understandable in a way, cause the director is 27 years old. Although other directors at this age or little older or younger, made good movies, like the well known James Wan did in Stygian movie, 14 years ago.
I am always positive in low budget horror flicks, but i don't embrace any film. Definitely not this one. Don't know if the director or the creators registered in different accounts to give good ratings on this film, or the positive reviews came from them or from 10 years old kids ,but in no way this film deserves a 6 out of 10.
A total pass from me, don't even bother to watch this film. Only if someone is very curious to find out if the positive or the negative reviews are right.
1 out of 10.
Would rather have my eyes impaled than see this again!!
eliteequip-16 March 2021
This is a piece of Sh** movie. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME because that is all it is. Whoever gave it positive reviews either had money invested in it, were writers or actors or friends of somebody in the production. Bad acting, bad script, bad story, just purely bad.
If you have to watch it be sure you can fast forward because that is the only way you can sit through it.
If you have to watch it be sure you can fast forward because that is the only way you can sit through it.
The Impaler --- Horror with a unique twist
noonbrunch10 November 2013
If you like scary movies that will make you think, you'll love this one. The woman are beautiful, the magic enchanting, and remember -- if you're friends want to take you somewhere scary --- bring a knife. There really are evil forces out there.
The movie has moral undertones, action, horror, and takes place in a really cool old castle. You may be familiar with the story of Dracula, but do you know where and how the legend began? If not, this movie is an absolute must see as it is for all horror aficionados.
You may also leave the movie wanting to be a better person. Without giving away the plot, you'll see how those who have lived lives that strayed from righteousness meet their fates.
See it, love it, be scared by it, learn about the legend, and think about it later.
The movie has moral undertones, action, horror, and takes place in a really cool old castle. You may be familiar with the story of Dracula, but do you know where and how the legend began? If not, this movie is an absolute must see as it is for all horror aficionados.
You may also leave the movie wanting to be a better person. Without giving away the plot, you'll see how those who have lived lives that strayed from righteousness meet their fates.
See it, love it, be scared by it, learn about the legend, and think about it later.
Pleasantly surprised!!
purznfurz17 December 2013
I don't understand the overly negative reviews for this one
I am a major vampire fan, I stayed open minded knowing that this is a lower budget movie and not a typical vampire story.
I really enjoyed that there was a twist to the plot that was totally unexpected. Toward the middle of the movie the story began to unfold and become more like a psychological mystery. I knew there were some historical references so I had to do a quick Google search. It was cool to get a different perspective of Vampires and Dracula.
Overall I thought it was one of the more creative and interesting low budget movies I've seen.
I really enjoyed that there was a twist to the plot that was totally unexpected. Toward the middle of the movie the story began to unfold and become more like a psychological mystery. I knew there were some historical references so I had to do a quick Google search. It was cool to get a different perspective of Vampires and Dracula.
Overall I thought it was one of the more creative and interesting low budget movies I've seen.
Very original story and great twist!
janemorgan51518 November 2013
I was pretty impressed with this new approach to the now so old Dracula story. This independent movie brings a very original undertone to the whole horror scene and the ending is quite something! I watched it at the movie theater and I must say that the twist blew my mind off! It's true, it does start with the typical scenario, where kids go somewhere in the world, for a vacation, about to experience the Dracula castle. But it is not what your regular horror film got us used to. It's a deeper story, with subtle references to rituals and sins and the acting, I thought, is pretty good. For an independent film, the execution is excellent.
A fresh take on the lore of Dracula
UnderworldRocks3 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Excellent! Just excellent!
I didn't expect it to be this good.
There have been so many vampire movies. There have been so many movie or TV adaptations of Bram Stoker's novel. The source material has been explored in all angles and there's nothing left to do, right? I thought so. And I was wrong.
How to tell a Dracula story in a way that is fresh and interesting? This movie is the answer!
Combining a vampire story with the SEVEN SINS and creepy rituals, brilliant!
I would also like to mention that the climax of the movie was surprisingly intriguing. At first I thought that the ending would be a cliché, with Dominic choosing love for his girlfriend over everything else, jeopardising the ritual, and saving the day. And then, a moment later, he plunged the dagger into his girlfriend's heart. Marvellous twist!
10 out of 10! Brilliant!
I didn't expect it to be this good.
There have been so many vampire movies. There have been so many movie or TV adaptations of Bram Stoker's novel. The source material has been explored in all angles and there's nothing left to do, right? I thought so. And I was wrong.
How to tell a Dracula story in a way that is fresh and interesting? This movie is the answer!
Combining a vampire story with the SEVEN SINS and creepy rituals, brilliant!
I would also like to mention that the climax of the movie was surprisingly intriguing. At first I thought that the ending would be a cliché, with Dominic choosing love for his girlfriend over everything else, jeopardising the ritual, and saving the day. And then, a moment later, he plunged the dagger into his girlfriend's heart. Marvellous twist!
10 out of 10! Brilliant!
See also
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