Remake of the Wes Craven film, about a family who find themselves lost in the desert and vulnerable to the strange people living in the hills.
The story sees a family consisting of a man and wife, their three children, a son in law and a granddaughter, on their way to California. After stopping at an isolated gas station in the middle of the desert, the attendant gives the family the directions for a short cut through the hills, which should shave a few hours off their journey. Unfortunately, this short cut eventually leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no signal and no protection. As the men in the group go off on separate search missions to try and find help, the family are attacked by the deformed psychopaths who inhabit the area.
From news clipping, it is possible to presume that the people in the hills used to be mining folk, before nuclear tests in the area left their homes wrecked, and their bodies mutilated. Now they hunt any humans that cross their paths, and enjoy their prey with sadistic consequences.
Having not seen the Craven original, I was entering this movie blind. I had heard mixed reviews, but wanted to approach the film as neutral as possible. From the outset, I was drawn in to the story, it had a simplicity about it that is refreshing, and always makes for the best horror films. The characters were given enough time to develop before the gore began, that you actually cared about their fate.
Craven was on the project as an executive producer, which may have given depth to the horror. It was a decent creation, with violence that makes you cringe, and suspense that turns your stomach. The freaks from the hills are brilliantly creative, with many different deformities and quirks.
It is not the best horror film ever made. But, if you like a decent horror film this will keep you scared for a couple of hours, have a watch.
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