From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the Hatfields and McCoys, tales of family feuds have existed since the dawn of storytelling both in fiction and reality. In his latest creature feature, A Hard Place, indie filmmaker Jason Horton (Craving 2023) combines ideas from the famous aforementioned play and legendary southern dispute, introducing a new spin on an old concept.
Fumbling a heist with an unplanned murder, a gang of criminals flee to a backwoods hideout to evade capture from law enforcement. Lead by Zenia (Lynn Lowry: The Crazies ’73, Shivers ’75), the band of urban outlaws unknowingly stumble into a deadly conflict involving a clan of vicious beasts. With their mossy bark-like appearance made from creative costumes and practical effects, these creatures are an eerie cross between bastard abominations birthed by Mother Nature and Guardians of the Galaxy’s beloved character Groot—more so the former than the latter.
On cue with the sound of humorously placed banjo music, the gang is saved by a group of hillbilly rednecks. However, the motives behind this would-be rescue may hold far more sinister connotations than initially meets the eye. With a small twist here and a slight turn there, what unfolds is a fun gory romp through the sticks just before all hell inevitably breaks loose.
Although a better buildup to the tree monsters could have added a deeper layer, the plot of A Hard Place does feature a mini-surprise or two keeping the storyline from completely falling flat on its face. Where the film thrives, however, is the use of special FX, lighting and cinematography—techniques that have previously stood out to me in Horton’s past work such as The Campus (2018). For indie films that don’t have the privileged of a limitless studio budget, creativity and resourcefulness is key—something well utilized by Horton. Giving his latest film an old-school horror vibe, practical effects are favored over cheap CGI, something fans of ’80s heyday horror will appreciate.
Other than the technical side, old-school horror fans will also love seeing performances by the film’s notable starpower. While some overall dialogue feels more filler than relevant scripted plot points, Lowry does give a respectable performance alongside Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp ’83) who owns her fiercely barbaric role as Henrietta. Hardcore genre fans will also recognize a cameo by Sadie Katz who’s known by many for her demented role in Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort (2014).
More commendable performances include Kevin Caliber (Craving 2023) as Hurt and Jennifer Stone as Candy who play off one another like a humorous Bonnie and Clyde. The duo isn’t likable, but that is kind of the point. While the hillbillies who serve as little more than cannon fodder with limited dialogue aren’t exactly scene-stealers, their exaggerated portrayals do add another touch of comedy relief. Two other noteworthy performances are Ashely Undercuffler (Craving 2023) who brings a sense of mystery to her role as Naja and Rachel Amanda Bryant (The Campus 2018) who brings heart to the film as Fish.
Despite some flaws leading up to its climactic standoff, A Hard Place is an enjoyable popcorn creature feature that doesn’t quite take itself too seriously. Set to release on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon, this piece of indie cinema will be available on May 27 for your viewing pleasure.
