“Hellbent” was released last year in a limited run and has finally made it to DVD. This movie has been taged the first gay slasher/horror film. It stars Dylan Fergus, who plays Noah on Passions. That’s what got me interested in it, that and the fact it was a gay slasher.

The movie centers around four friends (3 gay, 1 bi) who attend the Halloween carnival in West Hollywood. It was actually shot during the carnival for authenticity. Unfortunately for these four friends, they are targeted by a psychopath who killed 2 gay kids the night before. Let the slashing fun begin!

It’s no secret that I love horror films. It’s also no secret that I’ve found most of what is produced nowadays to be crap. So imagine my trepidation as I sit down to watch a movie that is marketed as the first gay slasher film. Surprisingly “Hellbent” was was a breath of fresh air that did a whole lot right.

Hellbent most reminded me of “Halloween.” The movie is very dark and set at night, like most of “Halloween.” In many instances it’s difficult to tell just what is going on on-screen, which adds to the suspense. Furthermore the killer is a masked psycho lunatic who looms about almost everywhere much like Michael Myers did.

Gore wise “Hellbent” delivers. There is a bit of gore, but not so much that it’s overly grotesque. I enjoy gore, but sometimes it goes too far. “Hellbent” doesn’t. There are two memorable scenes which are not so much as gory but just down right scream out loud “Gross!”

Suspense wise “Hellbent” actually had me jump a few times, something that it is hard for any movie to do for me nowadays. Most movies the “jump” scene can be spotted a mile away, “Hellbent” did a good job really surprising you.

The one negative I would say was the story. Now granted horror/slasher films aren’t exactly about the story lines. Hellbent had a good enough story to keep me interested and drawn to the characters, but there was a lack of explanation as to the killer. Some might however say this makes it all the more realistic.

In sum, two snaps up! If you like horror films give this one a try.

Dustin