Horror is one of the most diverse genres around, and this year has been filled with some great examples from Sinners to Weapons to The Monkey. Yet, what this year has been lacking is a good slasher. Thankfully, Hell Squad 2: Fresh Meat has stepped up to the plate and not only delivered a fantastic throwback slasher flick but one of my favorite films of the year.
Hell Squad 2: Fresh Meat is directed by Grace Anne Mosier and Carter Bentley. The story is by Mosier, Bentley, and Kailin Rojas-Echeverria. Bently also serves as the cinematographer, the co-editor, the composer, and a stunt performer. Mosier also serves as the makeup and lead visual effects artist for the film and portrays the supporting character, Missy. The film stars Cassidy Petrykowski, Rhiannon Moore, Naima Said, Camille Dunn, and Miles Simpson-Quigley.
In brief, Hell Squad 2 follows Janey Chapman, the survivor of a cheerleader massacre perpetuated by local legend, Helga Hellman. Now, one year later, the killings have started again, and Janey must figure out who is behind them and how to stop them.
Helga Hellman and Genre Love
Helga Hellman is honestly one of my favorite slasher villains in a while. The character’s design is simple yet effective and easily memorable. The white apron and cheap mask make her easily identifiable. Not to mention, what I love most about it is how cheap it looks. It does feel like something a psychopath could easily throw together to go murder unsuspecting teenagers. That whole low-budget slasher design is applied consistently to everything in the film.
The film never shies away from its lack of budget but uses what money it has smartly. All of the gore and splatter looks great. It always managed to elicit a reaction and fundamentally heighten the scene. And of course, part of this is because this is a homage to direct-to-video horror. It’s a genre that is nothing if not cheap. Clearly, everything in Hell Squad 2 has been done to replicate that feeling and look with care and love. It’s not making fun of those films; it’s celebrating and joining that lineage.
Surprising Themes
Slashers can be a ripe place for social commentary, but other times they are just an excuse to watch dumb teenagers die horrible deaths. Hell Squad 2 manages to do both with a pretty much paper-thin plot. However, the film touches on some solid themes. It explores how men often ignore women and their serious issues in favor of pursuing petty grudges. Largely, it’s an examination of how capitalism kills. Not exactly a new idea for film, but the fact that it comes from independent artists on a shoestring budget makes it ring true and really authentic.
Simultaneously, it’s a joy to watch all these characters be killed off in fun ways by Helga Hellman. The themes are there if you search for them. Then again, if you’re just there for the slasher fun, then it’s going to deliver that in spades. To be honest, this film understands the appeal of slashers more than many big-budget horror films in the last few years. Slashers are not high drama; they are dirty, cheap, nasty, and fun. It’s entertainment for the masses, and it understands that as a fact.
It’s truly impressive how perfectly this film manages its tone. Hell Squad 2 is always taking everything as un-seriously as it should be taken. Sure, you get some stilted acting occasionally, but that’s part of the fun, and the film knows this. It’s not trying to be something it’s not. It’s more confidently made and self-assured than most films are.
The Verdict on Hell Squad 2: Fresh Meat
Hell Squad 2: Fresh Meat is a laugh-out-loud and thrilling throwback to ’80s direct-to-video slashers films. Bentley and Mosier made a film that is incredibly self-assured and any fan of cheesy and campy slashers owes this a watch. And more importantly, it’s a reminder that there is great talent all over, not just in Hollywood, but in your own backyard.
Score: 4/5
Hell Squad 2: Fresh Meat is available to watch now on YouTube!
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