Hellbox

I'd heard nothing of this movie previously (now I know why!) but I was drawn to it by the premise and the cover art. Two minutes into the opening scene I was checking IMDB to see what score it had been given, and I wasn't surprised. It all looked and felt so fake. The costumes and props were unconvincing; the acting and script were equally poor giving the whole thing a real amateur feel as if it was a first project by students in a film school.

The premise is an evil box which is passed on through history, with a warning not to open it, while bad guys try to get possession of the box or get someone to open it. Sound familiar? Though this box looks more like a coal scuttle than anything with a sinister back story.

The acting didn't get much better passed the opening scene; it was as if the actors were waiting to deliver their lines rather than listening and being immersed in the scene. It all seemed very superficial. The pace was slow and the plot jumped around to the point of confusion in places.

There were lots of horror movie clichés. Waking up from a nightmare that also turns out to be a nightmare. Men in dodgy looking masks and gowns. People having the same dreams. Patients with mental health issues. Finding video camera footage. Poor and comic looking special effects that amused more than frightened. It even had the "shadowy looking guy across the road who disappears after a tram goes by" cliché.

The big reveal at the end didn't really reveal anything about the "shadowy conspiracy against humanity that stretches across five centuries" in the synopsis. Maybe it went over my head. Or maybe I'd just stopped paying too much attention by that point.

I did watch the whole movie and admit that I wasn't bored but maybe this one falls into the "so bad it's good" category. Afterwards I just kind of wished I'd watched Hellraiser again instead.

Ok, so I've been a diehard horror fan since I came out of the womb! This movie was intriguing because of the concept and of you can get past the fact that it is low budget (it's an Indy so he'll-ooooo give it some credit) it's a decent watch.

I must say I hate when people write reviews complaining about "two hours of my life that I can't get back"... that's just a dumb thing to say. So I've decided to completely ignore the reviews that say that. Sorry, that was a little off topic here. As far as the film goes: it's not horrible, I've seen worse, and it is what it is.

The acting was good, the premise was good, and I liked it. I mean as a diehard I've sat thru waaaaay worse looking for that ONE. Looking for THAT scary movie which I have yet to see in 2021. So in conclusion: give it a chance.

Heed the reviews that describe the poor acting and worse production value. One would see better acting in the average YouTube video. This film is not only the worst film ever, but it is the worst thing to ever happen since the dawn of man.

Ugh. Terrible I only got thru about 20 mins. The Director needs more schooling. The writer needs better ideas. And to the effects Master ..... blood is not that red.

Bad movie! Can't explain but Jesus Christ dude! I watched about few minutes and its already boring as f! So if ur trying to watch 2021 horror movies! There isn't one mostly and think this year will have the worst one for sure! So this movie is nothing but a huge failure! Bad acting and no actual storytelling! So do urselfs a favor! Avoid watching this garbage. I give this a 0! Just awful!