[Editorial] 5 Feel Good Horrors: Hillbilly Horror

If you go down to the woods today you’re bound to be in for a big surprise… And it’s definitely not bears, bears would actually be a welcomed sight in these neck of the woods. That’s right we’re looking at backwoods films that inject a little fright and fun at the same time, plus often exhibit completely OTT gore. 

Hillbilly films aren’t necessarily always frightening, there’s something quite fun about films that let inbred cousins run wild with weapons and kids to chase. Over the years there has been an ongoing trend for films with such a niche aspect to them, but regardless, this strangeness just keeps coming back again. 

So if you’re looking for some feel good hillbilly horror fun, then you’ve come to the right place...

Hatchet (2006)

If you like slashers then Hatchet definitely does the job of satisfying the need for some slicing and dicing, and also the want to see weirdo wood dwellers lose their shit. I guess in some ways Victor Crowley isn’t really a hillbilly, more akin to a Jason Voorhees (funnily enough, Kane Hodder plays both characters…) type character but he does live in the swamp and have hillbilly hair and also wear dungarees so it counts. 

As with most slashers, a group of teens go into the swamp to seek out the mystical Victor Crowley and surprise surprise they’re hunted off one by one. There is a lot of fun to be had with this one, as with most similar films, but there is something in what Adam Green brings to the screen which really makes this one a blast to watch with friends.

Honeydew (2020)

When I first watched Honeydew I wasn’t completely sold on the film, and in some ways I still have many questions, but I did enjoy the wild ride it took me on. The entire film left me completely confused, with nearly no idea of who or what anyone’s agenda was. But that’s exactly what I liked the most about the film; the fact I was constantly left wondering. 

The possibility of hating this film is also evident, however, it has elements of all the films mentioned on this list but with it’s own unique voice and opportunity. Things really take a disturbing and twisted turn towards the end, that made it feel reminiscent of films from the 00s that were all about going gruesome. You can read Jerry Sampson’s full review here.

Wrong Turn (2003)

What was the reason I first watched this film? I saw Faith from Buffy, the awesome Eliza Dushku, on the front cover and instantly rented it from Blockbuster and took it to my weekly sleepover. We watched this after watching The Hills Have Eyes 2006 (I really don’t find that film funny anymore, it’s disturbing as hell) and we had never laughed so hard at a film before. 

It’s hard not to laugh at these exacerbated outcasts with their pig squeals and deranged faces. The whole of the Wrong Turn franchise might not be good, but they are certainly fun and provide some entertainment for the whole group. So when the world begins to open up a little more and we’re all looking to reinvigorate those movie nights in the garden, then it’s going to be time to whack out the projector and just have a mental night with a lot of hillbilly horror.

Wolf Creek (2005)

You might want to argue that Wolf Creek isn’t fun and in some ways that’s the correct answer but also Mick Taylor is one of the most hilarious and frightening characters depicted in horror. There are certainly moments in the film where he seems more demonic than funny, but there’s just something about him.

Mick just hates tourists and because of that, he kidnaps them and brutally murders them, having killed hundreds upon hundreds of them. There are some pretty gruesome scenes in here and at times, it does feel pretty dark but John Jarratt’s portrayal of serial killer Mick just brings an air of entertainment to the screen.

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2021)

If you haven’t seen Tucker and Dale vs. Evil then immediately please just stop doing what you are doing and go watch it now. I’ve never really been a huge fan of comedy horror (except Shaun of the Dead) so I was dubious going in… Just watch the damn movie, trust me, please. 

Two hillbiliies are comically stereotyped by a group of idiotic teenagers, immediately being typecasted as dangerous, psychotic and inbred hillbillies living in the woods slaughtering anyone that comes by. But actually, Tucker and Dale, are just two regular dudes and from their side of the story, just keep being witness to gory, horrific accidents happening without knowing why.

Bonus: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

You’re probably wondering why one of the greatest horror films ever made is in the ‘bonus’ list, but the reason is because there is nothing fun about Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and I don’t think there ever will be. This happens to be one of the most oppressive, upsetting and disturbing films that exists so it is really hard to find fun with this film. But honourable mention because if we want to look at hillbillies then there really is nothing more terrifying than the Sawyer family. 

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