Hex

A period piece for indie film is always ambitious and tough but the producers of Hex have successfully pulled off a good film with most excellent costuming, tone and atmosphere. Set in the 1600's most of the filming takes place outside in a very fitting forest with somewhat ominous looking foliage and trees which really set the environment. The film is not loaded with action but the plot and main storyline in the development of characters centering around religious themes is plenty to keep it engaging throughout with thought provoking situations around human behavior. Well done and worth the look. Kuddos to cast and crew for a stunning period piece.

This one starts slow and simple, then doesn't let up on the tension. Minimal in sets and cast, which works perfect for this story, HEX is a great entry in the recent resurgence of "art horror". The camerawork and score are also top notch here and really enhance the story!

During the English civil war in the seventeenth century, two soldiers from opposing sides find themselves deep in the forest, but they may not be alone. With an uneasy alliance these two men fear they are trapped in the forest by the supernatural forces of a witch

What works - A period drama with horror elements. - This movie has a great ending the makes you re-think the film and puts you as a viewer in a uncomfortable position, making you think about how you perceive things and question what you would do in this situation. Makes you think about how soldiers would deal with ptsd in those days. - Sells the authenticity of the period - Some wells shot spooky scenes

What doesn't work

• Most of this movie is watching these two guys in the forest not doing much which makes it dull at times - During these periods the film misses opportunities to flesh out these characters as they have very little dialog - One of the soldiers acting isn't as strong as the other - Fight choreography is quite pooer

It was quite refreshing to see a film that wants to show the other side of a war. Not as much of its physical conflict by a moral and an emotional between people. Their unstoppable desire to eliminate each other for no other reason than just because which I suspect was quite common those days. Kudos to the director for bringing this to our attention.

As other reviewers have painfully pointed out the pace of Hex is slow. Seems they've been so transfixed on this they haven't bothered to mention that's its only drawback.

During the English Civil War two soldiers from opposite sides of the conflict find themselves alone in the woods only to face off against each other. Things are not equal as one is older, and thus more experienced, but he underestimates the younger soldier's survival instinct in what leads to a cat and mouse game during which they discover they are not as alone as they thought and find themselves trapped in the woods by a witch.

The cinematography in Hex is simply beautiful taking full advantage of lush woodland scenery and an old ruins. Re-enactment props and costumes give it an authentic look, combined with the scenery, well beyond its means. The audio in this is truly masterful, from the slightest brush of tall grass to a crackle in a fire to a babble in a brook, the environment is full and crisp.

Three incredibly talented actors bring to life a story tautly stretched in tension. The director keeps the mystery going making good use of the natural surroundings, the night, and of course the unknown. Fear and suspicion rule day and night for the soldiers, not only of an unseen enemy but of an unknown trust as to whether they could turn on each other at any moment. The tension plays out as thick as the tall grass in the meadows.

This is not a story of just a moment in history, as that is its adornment, but within is an allegory pertinent in our times that certainly provides something to think about and stays with you, for those who don't shrink away from it. Slow it is, and it could have used some trimming in my opinion, but beautiful and haunting throughout is what sight, sound and an open mind will reveal.