Watch Hellbender

Hellbender is a 2021 horror movie directed by the unorthodox trio of mother-daughter duo, Zelda and Lulu Adams, along with wife of Zelda and mother of Lulu, Toby Poser. The movie tells the tale of a teenage girl named Izzy (Zelda Adams) who lives with her mother and grandmother deep in the woods, practicing witchcraft and worshipping a deity they call 'The Devil'. The trio hunt and eat raw meat to fulfill their insatiable hunger, which they believe is a part of their cult practice.

Izzy, who has been homeschooled her whole life, yearns for a normal teenage life outside her secluded world. Her mother, who is the leader of their cult, continuously forbids her from interacting with the outside world, as she believes it to be a threat to their way of life. Despite her mother's restrictions, Izzy continues to experiment with the art of witchcraft, which leads to her awakening an ancient force that may or may not devastate their seemingly peaceful life in the woods.

The movie is a commendable feat, as it was entirely shot on an iPhone 7, edited and scored by the filmmaker trio themselves. The Adams and Poser family also wrote, produced, and starred in the movie, which elevates its indie status to new heights. The film oozes a sense of familial bond and camaraderie, which resonates in the on-screen portrayal of the relationships between the characters.

The movie's strength lies in its focus on the mundane aspects of cult living, with its characters practicing their everyday rituals and routines, which creates a sense of familiarity with the audience. However, the portrayal of cult life also induces feelings of eeriness and anxiety, with its subtle use of background scores and cinematography, which adds layers to the story.

The performances in the movie are praiseworthy, particularly from the mother-daughter duo of Zelda and Lulu Adams. Zelda Adams effortlessly portrays the angst and frustration of a teenager trapped in a suffocating environment, while Lulu Adams shines in her role as the wise grandmother, who is the matriarch of the cult. Toby Poser plays the role of the mother, adeptly balancing the contradictory nature of her character, who is both nurturing and overbearing.

The cinematography is another aspect that elevates the movie's immersive experience. The intricate shots of the woods and its uncanny surroundings create an ominous atmosphere, which adds to the mystery surrounding the cult's existence. The red tint layered on top of the visuals gives the movie a dream-like quality that is both beautiful and unsettling.

The movie's soundtrack is yet another highlight, with its hauntingly beautiful musical score that elevates the overall tone of the movie. The use of ambient sounds and music in the background elevates the horror aspect of the movie, which builds tension as the story unfolds.

Overall, Hellbender is a commendable effort from the Adams-Poser family, who have managed to create a delightful horror flick that is equal parts scary and beautiful. The familial bond between the filmmaker trio is palpable in the movie's portrayal of the quirky cult, which adds to the movie's immersive experience. The cinematography, the soundtrack and the performances all come together to create a unique horror movie that is both masterful and thought-provoking.

Hellbender is a 2022 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 70.