I liked this movie for showing small real things that also happen in our real life (family, neighborhood, childhood). Fear, abuse, arguing, financial problems, enemies, burglary, crime, cellphones, addictions. Everything is so real and common like in at least my life. Although feelings of fear, worry, and sadness are dominant and negative and not useful probably, they are at least appropriate for the situation. This movie teaches us to grow up, to take care of ourselves, problems, our families. It is mostly about crime and life. But other than that, nothing special to see, and probably even boring. The only difference this noticable in this movie compared to most and especially older movies is awareness of technology like iphones, camera, youtube. Shows us how it is easy to see crime on YouTube, LiveLeak, BestGore, something that previously was rare or impossible. This movie reminds me about childhood fears and worries, which unfortunately even animals have to experience (as part of growing up, caring for somebody or something).
55 Reviews
The plot says this movie is intense and suspenseful but it all just falls flat.
garrethhoover2 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Ok so I'll break this review in 5 parts.
1. The opening scene is actually good and had me hopeful for the movie. One of the actors (who is feature towards the end as well) is the only actor in this movie that delivers a performance that will make you feel any emotions at all. All the other acting is very amateur and unbelievable. 8/10
2. There are 2 storylines developing. 1 with the criminals and one with the family. They are both fine. Perfectly mediocre. None of the acting is great and all of the dialogue is bland but overall is fine and it decently sets up the main characters and their motivations. The 2 boys are obsessed with their cell phones and posting videos to feel cool and are convinced by the dad to go without them for the night. (This is why they don't immediately call the cops later on.) 6/10
3. When the 2 storylines merge is where this movie really takes a nosedive. This is where the home invasion occurs and a supposedly grusome series of events follows. There are murders, characters hiding, chases...exciting stuff right?? No. Every bit of it falls flat. There is absolutely no suspense...and none of the actions have any weight. 2 people are murdered and I didn't even realize it until later when the criminals mentioned "dead bodies". It just looked like they beat them up and even that was kind of off camera. Following the 2 murders you have a chase sequence which is just ridiculous and boring...another bland off screen murder...then more chasing. There is one brief moment where the boy is running towards the camera and the music fits nicely. That's really the only good part. 3/10
4. The boy catches up with his friends brother (the good actor from the opening scene) and his fellow gang members. The other characters are basically parodies. He tells them what happened and the 3 criminals catch up to him and are confronted by the gang. You think this is when the boy is saved. Well the gang does kill the criminals (yet again, the murders are just sort of kicking someone off screen). Here's the decent part of this section, I guess: the movie subverts your expectations and rather than being rescued...the boy is killed (shot...offscreen of course) by one of the gang member caricatures. That was ok...as far as being "gritty" and "real" but again everything falls flat. There is no emotional weight. 2/10
5. The closing scene continues the "kids are obsessed with cellphones and posting videos for likes" theme as it turns out the final interaction was being filmed by 2 very young kids. This scene is pure cringe. They have an inhuman level of disregard for what happened...implying kids these days are inhuman soulless monsters I guess. To add to the cringe it honestly sounds like these voice parts (you don't see the children) were recorded by adults with their voices altered. The dialogue is absolute crap. Anyways, they filmed the final murders and are going to post it to youtube and get a bunch of likes and be popular at school apparently and that's the end. 1/10
There are several more things about this movie i didn't like and no more things I did. In spite of the opening scene being good I'm rating this a 3/10 overall.
1. The opening scene is actually good and had me hopeful for the movie. One of the actors (who is feature towards the end as well) is the only actor in this movie that delivers a performance that will make you feel any emotions at all. All the other acting is very amateur and unbelievable. 8/10
2. There are 2 storylines developing. 1 with the criminals and one with the family. They are both fine. Perfectly mediocre. None of the acting is great and all of the dialogue is bland but overall is fine and it decently sets up the main characters and their motivations. The 2 boys are obsessed with their cell phones and posting videos to feel cool and are convinced by the dad to go without them for the night. (This is why they don't immediately call the cops later on.) 6/10
3. When the 2 storylines merge is where this movie really takes a nosedive. This is where the home invasion occurs and a supposedly grusome series of events follows. There are murders, characters hiding, chases...exciting stuff right?? No. Every bit of it falls flat. There is absolutely no suspense...and none of the actions have any weight. 2 people are murdered and I didn't even realize it until later when the criminals mentioned "dead bodies". It just looked like they beat them up and even that was kind of off camera. Following the 2 murders you have a chase sequence which is just ridiculous and boring...another bland off screen murder...then more chasing. There is one brief moment where the boy is running towards the camera and the music fits nicely. That's really the only good part. 3/10
4. The boy catches up with his friends brother (the good actor from the opening scene) and his fellow gang members. The other characters are basically parodies. He tells them what happened and the 3 criminals catch up to him and are confronted by the gang. You think this is when the boy is saved. Well the gang does kill the criminals (yet again, the murders are just sort of kicking someone off screen). Here's the decent part of this section, I guess: the movie subverts your expectations and rather than being rescued...the boy is killed (shot...offscreen of course) by one of the gang member caricatures. That was ok...as far as being "gritty" and "real" but again everything falls flat. There is no emotional weight. 2/10
5. The closing scene continues the "kids are obsessed with cellphones and posting videos for likes" theme as it turns out the final interaction was being filmed by 2 very young kids. This scene is pure cringe. They have an inhuman level of disregard for what happened...implying kids these days are inhuman soulless monsters I guess. To add to the cringe it honestly sounds like these voice parts (you don't see the children) were recorded by adults with their voices altered. The dialogue is absolute crap. Anyways, they filmed the final murders and are going to post it to youtube and get a bunch of likes and be popular at school apparently and that's the end. 1/10
There are several more things about this movie i didn't like and no more things I did. In spite of the opening scene being good I'm rating this a 3/10 overall.
Bad In Every Way
klickonn29 June 2022
Hesperia misses the mark on almost every point.
First we have to endure an annoying opening soundtrack which goes on for far too long, it's followed by some staggeringly weak acting. Didn't anyone else notice the lack of continuity? The scene switches back and forth from bright and sunny to sunset.
The drug users are unconvincing with poor acting throughout. I'll leave the spoilers out but the home invasion is nonsensical.
At the end it's all supposed to go around and the point is made. No, Hesperia falls way, way short.
IMDB need to take a close look at the reviews for this movie.
First we have to endure an annoying opening soundtrack which goes on for far too long, it's followed by some staggeringly weak acting. Didn't anyone else notice the lack of continuity? The scene switches back and forth from bright and sunny to sunset.
The drug users are unconvincing with poor acting throughout. I'll leave the spoilers out but the home invasion is nonsensical.
At the end it's all supposed to go around and the point is made. No, Hesperia falls way, way short.
IMDB need to take a close look at the reviews for this movie.
no no no no
watcher201929 June 2019
Nothing Happens for Half of Movie
stanhin4 August 2019
For the first 47 minutes of this hour and twenty minute movie, nothing happens. Ganbangers have pointless conversations with one another, a husband and wife have pointless conversations with one another, two juveniles have pointless conversations with one another and play checkers and pool. You can't make a good home invasion movie if the first half (plus) of the movie is a total, aimless bore.
Stinker !
dawhiteboysdaddy2 July 2019
That's what happens!
MayhemFilmKreations19 November 2019
This film shows the consequences of being a sleazy drug dealer. Things catch up to you for
taking money to make someone's brain turn to mush. A drug dealer wanting a new life is not simple.
I didn't expect the ending twist, but I did like how it shows today's youth and the obsession with phones, youtube, etc. Good watch!
Fake Reviews
heatherbrittany10 January 2020
Are most reviewers here paid to write amazing reviews on bad movies? Cause I don't know how anyone could think this movie was worth the watch.
Low budget - yes
Horrible script - yes
Bad acting - yes
Slow burn - yes
Am I writing this review while watching it? YES
What did I miss? Kids complaining about not having their cell phone because they were told they would get an Xbox.
HORRIBLE BOREFEST - Fake Review's
co677921 January 2021
Fake Review's for sure, lackluster story - awful acting wife says a 5 I think its a 1 as one person wrote NOT WORTH the bag of popcorn.
The whole story was a drag from the start, it just dragged for an eternity it seemed, I went to ebay while half watching it, yes it was that bad.
Go ahead start the movie, the 2 men jawing back and forth for 5 minutes about meth & moving away, yeah that is the whole movie just a long winded "BOREFEST"
Sorry I cannot find anything good to say, there was very little violence.
The whole story was a drag from the start, it just dragged for an eternity it seemed, I went to ebay while half watching it, yes it was that bad.
Go ahead start the movie, the 2 men jawing back and forth for 5 minutes about meth & moving away, yeah that is the whole movie just a long winded "BOREFEST"
Sorry I cannot find anything good to say, there was very little violence.
Gritty and harsh
jblockbuster14 August 2019
Utterly bad acting, directing and stupid
mattisfilm20 February 2024
The acting is horrendous, the script written is lazily and the director infuses no excitement to this mess. Everyone just runs around in the dark for 90 minutes. Save yourself 90 minutes of your life. The entire film feels like an amateur high school movie.
There is a good story here about a cat and mouse chase of drugged up gangster, gangsters facing the moral dilemma of a recovered gangster to do the right thing, and young teens learning how to survive but it is completely mishandled.
The dark night time cinematography is the only saving grace to give this movie one star. If the director had a peer review during editing, the whole movie would have been remade.
There is a good story here about a cat and mouse chase of drugged up gangster, gangsters facing the moral dilemma of a recovered gangster to do the right thing, and young teens learning how to survive but it is completely mishandled.
The dark night time cinematography is the only saving grace to give this movie one star. If the director had a peer review during editing, the whole movie would have been remade.
A solid indie film!
craigahrens3 August 2019
I know the city of Hesperia so it made it extra special watching this little gem of an indie film! I thought the director did a terrific job in keeping the action moving yet kept the small town vibe and the hopelessness of the film's characters. The acting was top notch. There were some scenes where I felt as if I was watching a documentary (which in this case is meant as a compliment). I for sure give this film a thumbs up!!
Aggression vs vulnerability
cbax12314 August 2019
I really enjoyed how this movie portrayed the juxtaposition of aggression with vulnerability. There's a nice color pallet that's used in the film to really draw the viewer into the mood and characters emotional state. It's a bold script, filled with grit, and is a wonderful example of fine indie filmmaking.
Gritty Desert Tale
JGReviews12 August 2019
"Hesperia" lured me in with the cool movie poster of what looked like a desperate kid in the middle of the desert, only lit by headlights. The film's succinct logline is quite straightforward -- "In a small desert town a home invasion goes terribly wrong" -- but the film is about more than that. Hesperia follows an ensemble of troubled characters out in a small desert town, from kids to tweakers to dealers, as a gritty and raw plot unfolds. The film grapples with some of the grim realities of these types of people and the film gives off an authentic sense of realism. I was a big fan of the cinematic desert filming locations in the film in particular. When I watch indie films I'm not always looking for the biggest production value or a million dollar budget, rather I'm looking for creativity and originality and Hesperia had that. I'd recommend checking this one out.
A journey to the dark side
metroran17 August 2019
Raw, dark and very real
directortim20123 August 2019
There's a reality at the center of this film that not everyone may be comfortable with. That's OK. Leave the movie for those of us who can handle a darker reality. The story and twists were great. This isn't a phony Hollywood movie but very much an indie. That's a really good thing.
Thought-provoking slow burn thriller
JCanni6813 June 2020
A really well done slow burn thriller, this one has some strong drama that explores complex contemporary issues like race/social struggles and relationship dynamics, and the moral dilemmas that come with them. It eventually culminates in an intense, action-packed third act which brings some of these moral dilemmas full circle. The movie overall was well done, and I particularly liked the camera work, the intense complimentary score, and the strong acting.
Thrilled and Impressed
bohemianpirate-871-38348718 October 2019
I'm a California native, so I thought the setting in a small town out in the Mojave Desert for a creepy thriller was a very cool idea. But I had no clue how frightening it could actually get. Hesperia is a fantastic watch. It was suspenseful and tension filled throughout. Great performances by the two young leads, swift direction and some unexpected twists to keep you guessing. This is a hidden gem of a film and must see for horror lovers. Recommend!
Gritty, vulnerable & real!
alanakmd18 October 2019
Dark Indie thriller
jason-scepter4 October 2019
Hesperia has a lot of interesting characters that inhabit a small desert town, including and especially drug dealers and tweakers. Viewed through the lens of two young kids, the gritty depiction of their lives feels authentic. Some good twists and turns throughout the movie.
Great film!!
bmillertime-2422127 August 2019
Great indie film! I thought it was really well shot with some very realistic performances. This movie shows a really interesting perspective into the life of a junkie and how far he will go to get high. It also showcases how kids are easily lead to believe that being a drug dealer "gangster" is cool when the reality of it is far from the glamorized Hollywood projection. I thought the director really set a great tone for the film giving it a high production hollywood film feel. I definitely recommend giving this a watch!
Gritty authenticity
Phil_Chester3 August 2019
They're dealing meth in the desert, so comparisons with Walter White are inevitable, but this film feels more gritty and authentic than the gloss of Breaking Bad. Featuring some heartfelt performances and beautiful imagery, this film gets under your skin and doesn't let go until the chilling final scenes. My blood ran cold - in a good way. Recommended.
Small town with A LOT going on in it
caseykilloran28 August 2019
This is a small town with a lot going on in it. I love the indie film world and this one is a good one to study in the world of true independent features. I love the simple story that spins out of control. There are also small touches of humor throughout the piece that I found very humanizing. It made me connect to the suspense of the film even more. Cool lighting in some parts. Looking forward to future projects from this team.
Thrilling
yoshakness1 November 2019
Hesperia - The Deserts and Mysteries of Southern California
emperorsnewmind10 August 2019
The film opens with a powerhouse song that captures the desert landscape of the Mojave Desert in California. Giving an inside view of drug dealers living in the desolate area who involve themselves with tweakers and a pair of young adult friends who stick together through the twist and turns, Hesperia has the true styling of great 1980s neo-noir movies that captures the elegance, mood, and mystery of the Southern California landscape.
For an independent film, the filmmakers created a story of true originality. I can't wait to see what comes next for them.
For an independent film, the filmmakers created a story of true originality. I can't wait to see what comes next for them.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
