Would be very good if not for the rushed and stupid ending...
All movie it was very captivating and engaging...good story,acting,build up...
the last 5 minutes spoiled everything...would be a solid 6 stars.
15 Reviews
Great build up. . .
flyonwall16 December 2018
Great build up. Some interesting storylines and then suddenly, it's as though the viewer says "Oh, the villian must be blah!"
Writer "OK, you got me! Guess we're done here. The end."
A couple of the major plots seem completely disparate and then, suddenly.. the end credits roll?
A couple of the major plots seem completely disparate and then, suddenly.. the end credits roll?
...when is the movie going to start???
minnieweathernatalie13 April 2020
I'm 57 min deep...and I'm like.."uhhhh...okay?..." This movie is soooo slow and prematurely dramatic for something that's so mysterious there's no pertinent clues shared to make it interesting. The main character's uncle was the only thing I raised an eyebrow for since Total Recall is a classic. I have dedicated 57 min....25 min left... I'm too far in not to finish it. ughhh.
Wait, did they just forget to do an ending??
beckett-6965816 August 2020
This film had the makings of something really interesting. The lead develops from stone cold bitch to something more interesting (although a longer run time may have made that process a little more organic), Michael Ironside is solid as ever and a whole host of weird and wonderful characters get introduced but never fully explained.
The plot, though rather conventional, has enough to sustain momentum beyond the 80 odd minutes of the film so why the crunch on runtime?
Without giving too much away, it's worth a watch and would easily be a 7+/10 if the filmmakers had just given it time to breath!!
The plot, though rather conventional, has enough to sustain momentum beyond the 80 odd minutes of the film so why the crunch on runtime?
Without giving too much away, it's worth a watch and would easily be a 7+/10 if the filmmakers had just given it time to breath!!
Even Though A Decent One, It's Just Another Small Town Mystery
TwistedContent11 September 2019
I didn't even read the synopsis before watching "Hellmington", but half way through it was apparent what kind of beast this is. The main selling point for me was Michael Ironside & an appearance from a growing director favorite of mine - Adam McDonald.
"Hellmington" is the name of the county where the story takes place & a big-city detective is returning there to fight demons of the past & solve the mystery. Sounds familiar? Nevertheless, "Hellmington" turned out to be just alright. It's visibly low-budget, with most of the action happening sort-of-off-screen, but clever editing plays a part here as well, same applies to the cinematography. Whenever Michael Ironside appears to fill in his supporting role, he's received with open hands, and yes, the rest of the performances are fine as well. "Hellmington" is a mediocre (or maybe slightly above that) mystery, written well enough to keep You engaged - everything clicks at the end, to an arguably satisfying level. The kind of mystery that won't blow your mind and will be forgotten fast enough. The pacing is steady enough, but would start falling flat if the total runtime was 10 minutes longer. One thing I liked at the start but disliked at the end was the original score - it's quite repetitive. Sadly, I have to mention that the notes of horror are rare and not very loud, "Hellmington" qualifies to be called a mystery thriller. At best.
There's nothing very impressive or memorable about "Hellmington", but it's also not cheesy, goofy or effortless. If you're a fan of indie mysteries and want a one night stand with a movie you'll never watch again, here it is. My rating: 5/10.
"Hellmington" is the name of the county where the story takes place & a big-city detective is returning there to fight demons of the past & solve the mystery. Sounds familiar? Nevertheless, "Hellmington" turned out to be just alright. It's visibly low-budget, with most of the action happening sort-of-off-screen, but clever editing plays a part here as well, same applies to the cinematography. Whenever Michael Ironside appears to fill in his supporting role, he's received with open hands, and yes, the rest of the performances are fine as well. "Hellmington" is a mediocre (or maybe slightly above that) mystery, written well enough to keep You engaged - everything clicks at the end, to an arguably satisfying level. The kind of mystery that won't blow your mind and will be forgotten fast enough. The pacing is steady enough, but would start falling flat if the total runtime was 10 minutes longer. One thing I liked at the start but disliked at the end was the original score - it's quite repetitive. Sadly, I have to mention that the notes of horror are rare and not very loud, "Hellmington" qualifies to be called a mystery thriller. At best.
There's nothing very impressive or memorable about "Hellmington", but it's also not cheesy, goofy or effortless. If you're a fan of indie mysteries and want a one night stand with a movie you'll never watch again, here it is. My rating: 5/10.
Not a Horror Film
wandernn1-81-68327421 April 2020
Really there was not any horror elements to this film. More of a Drama, and somewhat a mystery, but not by much. As another review mentioned the ending seemed rushed and was really ineffective in giving the movie a good stamp. Can not recommend.
Below average in every way
john-breslin-111 October 2019
A few jump scares, but fundamentally a movie that is just chewing gum for the brain. Instantly forgettable. I watched with the hope that things would get better but it felt like there was a better story trying to get out but nobody knew how to make it happen. A truly confusing movie, not in a "this is too smart for me" way but as in "did some pages fall out of the script" way.
If there is really nothing better to watch, go for a walk....
Solid
haskel-7295114 September 2019
Solid production values!!!
tfoley-968-2501322 December 2018
First feature length film by this crew, includes great camera work, subtle but effective score, and very fine acting(especially the main protagonist, Correia-Damude). Suspense was ratcheted up throughout. Wouldn't necessarily classify as horror, as opposed to a good old slow burn thriller! Look forward to more vehicles, from all involved.
Good music and M Ironside
devinwatson-6638315 May 2021
The old city person unimpressed by country people trope. Our "hero" goes around being rude to everyone in the town she grew up in with a big chip on her shoulder. It was exhausting seeing her two maybe three emotions - arrogant disdain, fear, and unexplained petulance.
Written by some LA city aholes pretending they know something about decent small town life. They get to prove their own points by writing this crap.
Written by some LA city aholes pretending they know something about decent small town life. They get to prove their own points by writing this crap.
My Review Of "HELLmington"
ASouthernHorrorFan9 September 2019
The story distorts perspective by forcing elements of near psychotica inducing moments that cause you to question the protagonist's mental state. "HELLmington's" main plot is a suspensful mystery involving a cold case that once revealed is disturbing, and relevant. It plays out like a dark web nightmare version of a ID channel episode.
At the start, the film is both confusing, distorted and emotionless. A stylistic trick that is as visually creative as it is questioning. Much like the actually story line- what happened in 1999?, Who is messing with Samantha Woodhouse?, and how much of the story is even real? I can't tell if this warping of the film's beginning is intentional artistry or accidental. I did find it intriguing.
The cast create some stoic, gothic characters reminiscent of Fargo' or 'Twin Peaks'. There are moments when the story trips on it's own weightiness. It is a dark, slumbering plot. Still, "HELLmington" begins to show it's true depth of darkness around 50 minutes in and the suspense and chilling nature becomes elevated.
The horror never really gets there fully, but atmospherically it is creepy- in a sleepwalking down an alleyway after midnight- kinda way. There is visual elements that play on occult horror thems, much in the way 'Riverdale' did it with the Gargoyle King. The cinematography moves from unimaginative stationary shots to some truly stunning horror fueled thriller moments. Overall "HELLmington" is a nice, chilling nightmare with a twist ending.
At the start, the film is both confusing, distorted and emotionless. A stylistic trick that is as visually creative as it is questioning. Much like the actually story line- what happened in 1999?, Who is messing with Samantha Woodhouse?, and how much of the story is even real? I can't tell if this warping of the film's beginning is intentional artistry or accidental. I did find it intriguing.
The cast create some stoic, gothic characters reminiscent of Fargo' or 'Twin Peaks'. There are moments when the story trips on it's own weightiness. It is a dark, slumbering plot. Still, "HELLmington" begins to show it's true depth of darkness around 50 minutes in and the suspense and chilling nature becomes elevated.
The horror never really gets there fully, but atmospherically it is creepy- in a sleepwalking down an alleyway after midnight- kinda way. There is visual elements that play on occult horror thems, much in the way 'Riverdale' did it with the Gargoyle King. The cinematography moves from unimaginative stationary shots to some truly stunning horror fueled thriller moments. Overall "HELLmington" is a nice, chilling nightmare with a twist ending.
Enjoyable
moscalifar-6872713 September 2019
Moody Thriller With Confusing Ending
ladymidath12 November 2022
Hellmington is not a bad mystery thriller, the music helps sets the tone for a dark and somber movie. The acting is excellent, understated and at times quite intense. The biggest problem though is that it becomes too stylized for its own good. It tries to be Lynchian with David Lynch. This makes the movie hard to follow at times and the ending felt rushed and a little forced. There were also a lot of different things happening which isn't to say a bad thing, but again, the movie needed to be a little clearer at times. The tension builds nicely and there are some genuine creepy moments, but the script and editing just needed to be a little tighter and the ending could have been a little more fleshed out because it really didn't make any sense. This is a good movie that just tried to be a little too clever for it's own good.
Atmospheric film
jmbovan-47-16017329 September 2020
Sam returns home for her dying father and begins looking into an open case that she was involved as a teenager. This film contains elements of a detective story, facing one's past, and supernatural cult. Well produced film with decent acting highlighted by the lead's confusion and descent mentally as she sinks further into the truth and how it connects to her.
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