Her Name Was Torment ll: Agony

For the uninitiated, this film will wreak havoc on their senses, as sexuality - both moral and amoral - violence, and gore are on full display in HMWT2. Now, that alone does not, in its own right, make it a good film, but there is a method to what is on display here, though, seemingly (and again, for uninitiated), it is just nothingness interspersed between mutilation. That is not the full story, and the viewer must make his/her own decision what is being said in that context.

I applaud what the filmmakers and producers were able to do with such a small budget, as the fx looked pretty darn good. And by fx, I mean the viscera. There isn't a whole to address on technical levels, as the director uses tricks of the low-budget trade in order to make up for monetary shortcomings. Sharp and quick edits, black & white, onscreen static, shaky camera, and dim lighting all allow the director to "get away" with shortcomings. The "tricks" aren't as bad in HNWT2 than in some movies, but they definitely get in the way, imo. They don't, however, ruin the film, and in some scenes they actually contribute to the "vibe."

Look...there is nothing new or ground breaking about this indie film, nor is it something that experienced indie horror fans will flock to, but with a lack of decent, TRULLY independent extreme films being made, this will definitely tickle your pickle.

Definitely not for kids, or the squeamish.

Her Name Was Torment 2 is a bigger, badder, bolder and even more brilliant movie than its predecessor. With a much greater budget than the original, director Dustin Mills goes to town with a smorgasbord of grisly special effects, working with Marcus Koch to deliver stunning set pieces that put most studio efforts to shame.

The special effects stray into unsettling territory. Those who've seen Lars von Trier's Antichrist may be emotionally prepared but Torment 2 takes no prisoners with its unflinching up-close views of bodily carnage.

The versatile Allison Egan returns as Torment, delivering another tremendous performance. Rather than repeat the first movie, we're provided with new insight into this character. Egan carried the first movie and she remains the epicentre of the chaos that ensues on screen.

One of my favourite indie Scream Queens, Haley Madison, plays "sister" Agony. This psychotic and sadistic masked sidekick of Torment is genuinely chilling and Madison conveys her gleeful insanity through her eyes (in addition to her bloodthirsty actions).

Like the earlier film, Torment 2 leaves you wanting more despite not being pleasant viewing. It's a rollercoaster ride, rich in emotion and heavy in atmosphere. The brief post-credit sequence acts as a deliberate tease, leaving the viewer ready for the third instalment, The Highest Choir.

Mills deserves to be discovered by a wider audience. His bottomless pit of creativity and innovation remains truly stunning. Whilst Her Name Was Torment 2 won't appeal to mainstream audiences due to its extremely graphic nature and mature content, Mills has demonstrated his flair in a number of different genres. If you're a hardcore horror hound, this series is highly recommended.

10 out of 10. The film set out to raise the bar in graphic horror and it succeeds. It also has a soul, there's more to it than just blood and guts. There's a cryptic mythology contained within this series that makes it stand out from the crowd. A Hellraiser for the noughties. Solid.