Death Ranch

The movie starts out a bit slow. Basically we're introduced to the protagonists and find out why they are holed up in the middle of nowhere. Then the action begins when one of them sees a KKK execution in progress and intervenes. From there, you get pretty much non-stop action as the two factions battle it out.

What makes this a "horror" film instead of an "action" film is the copious amount of gore. The KKK, who are more akin to cannibal families a la Texas Chainsaw Massacre, than your usual KKK members in films are partly responsible for that gore and some of the sadism, but so are the protagonists as they quite sensibly avoid holding back while fighting a bunch of psychos who outnumber and outarm them.

And that's why I found it a guily pleasure. It doesn't have an amazing plot, or a profound message, or impressive fight scenes, or anything. But it is refreshing to watch a horror film and not have to keep thinking "WHY DIDN'T YOU MAKE SURE HE'S DEAD!!!". And, heck, it'll always fun to see any group of Klansmen get what's coming to them, and that's a major factor in making this a guilty pleasure. No woke preaching about intersectionality. No stunt casting (yes, the KKK are miraculously all white males in this one). Just good guys fighting evil racists.

It is well filmed -- no cheap digicam footage feel or anything like that. The fx are effective enough. Heck, I even like the titles which were pure Tarrantino. And I always liked a 70s rural setting for horror. And bonus points for not one single annoying teen in the film.

Three African American siblings do battle with a gang of cannibalistic KKK members. Things gets super gory. The end.

There really isn't a whole hell of a lot to this little indie, but that's the beauty, there needn't be. Sometimes it absolutely OK to consume the empty calories of pop culture and as a result be perfectly content.

The film is very well directed, adequately acted by the cast and the bloodshed expertly handled. About the only thing that bothered me was the use of modern rock music in the action scenes, but that's a minor quip.

So, if you like excessive gore, and old exploitation movies I'm sure you will find something to like here.

Hope you enjoy it.

Story: 0.75/2 - Direction & Pace: 1.25 & 1.25/4 - Performances: 1.00/2 - Entertainment: 1.25/2

Total - 5.50/10

In the sizzling cauldron of gore-fueled escapades, "Death Ranch" emerges as a blood-soaked tale that's part gore-fest, part revenge fantasy and a smidgen of a dysfunctional family reunion. It's comparatively like a picnic with a tornado forecast-messy, unpredictable, but strangely alluring.

Picture this: a runaway convict and his kin find refuge in their dear ol' grandpa's rundown barn. But lo-and-behold, their sanctuary becomes ground zero for a KKK killing spree. Surprise, surprise! The Klan's got the unfortunate family in their crosshairs faster than you can sarcastically say "bed sheet & pillowcase." Cue the brutal torture, molestation, and all that grim jazz.

Before you label this a dissertation on character depth, let's acknowledge the obvious: The characters here are thinner than the paper-thin crust on a pizza. It wouldn't have hurt to add some meat to their bones, metaphorically speaking. However, the absence of robust character development might be a tactical move to focus on the visceral rollercoaster ahead.

Praise goes to the director for engaging in peekaboo tactics with the gruesome bits. Instead of shoving the torture scenes in our faces, they opted for a "less is more" approach. The true horror is our imagination conjures far more ghastly images than any CGI could muster.

Sure, the pacing's as wonky as a marathon runner unsure of the finish line's precise location. And that slow-mo during certain scenes is more hindrance than enhancement, particularly when it's unwittingly used during uncomfortable moments.

But ah, the saving grace-the soundtrack: In a world where low-budget flicks often sound like a cat strumming a battered guitar, "Death Ranch" surprises. It's a symphony of pleasant sorts, harmonizing chaos and tension seamlessly.

Now, the cast, bless their kind hearts, realistically is a mixed bag. Thankfully, the director decently bids farewell to the weaker links early on. Survival of the fittest, or maybe the most entertaining?

In conclusion, "Death Ranch" is akin to that spicy taco you gobble down despite knowing it'll scorch your taste buds. It's a one-time thrill ride, especially if gore is your cup of cha. This flick's self-awareness is its unique charm-it never truly takes itself seriously, endowing you with a macabre grin and maybe, just maybe, contemplating a replay when the prevailing mood for blood-soaked antics strikes again.

While the acting isn't the best and the story & characters are paperthin at best, what surprisingly makes this British low-budget gem fun are the top-notch practical gore effects, the cool Grindhouse-style cinematography & visuals, really fast pacing, good direction and writing, and a cool premise/concept.

This movie is better than it had any business being, definitely worth a look!

I stumbled across this on Prime and the description of three black people running from the law and ending up on the hunting grounds of the Klan was enough to hook me. But wow, what followed was so unexpected! Cannibalism, extreme violence, bloodshed, and carnage - all the things you want in a horror movie. And even though the main protagonist was an escaped criminal, you couldn't help but pull for him to come out on top at the end. Ignore the lower rated reviews - this is pure fun and a total must see!