Top 7 Twisted Backwoods Movies
Matt Molgaard
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Ever watch a flick and think, “That was awesome – I need to find more movies like this!”? Sure you have; we’ve all been there at some point.
It’s time to start aiding our readers in finding those gems that you might not yet be familiar with. And this first installment is going to put focus on crazy, murderous redneck backwoods slasher flicks. If you want to know which of these sub-genre pics rank as truly entertaining, just read on, enjoy the journey, and prepare to seek out a few pictures!
Most of us truly enjoyed Wrong Turn. It isn’t exactly groundbreaking, highbrow or original, and it isn’t exactly flawless, but it is a certified blast. Great kills, characters that demand great deaths, some awesome gore, and memorable antagonists. Those are the things we’re looking for here… as they hide in rural territory.
The Hills Have Eyes
You had to know this pick was coming, as it’s no doubt one of the films that inspired Rob Schmidt’s Wrong Turn. The Hills Have Eyes features a traveling group that find themselves stranded in the middle of no man’s land. That’s tough, but what proves to be a hell of a lot more challenging – and dangerous – is the family of mutated freaks preparing to descend on these unsuspecting travelers.
The Hills Have Eyes was one of those eye-opening films that helped a lot of other filmmakers to craft some ideas and eventually (full-on) develop the sub-genre. If you’re wondering whether you should go with Craven’s original film or Alexandre Aja’s remake, worry not – they’re both awesome, offer some different things, and feel quite satisfying.
Inbred
This German/UK production is unlike anything on this list. Yes, the idea of bat-shit crazy rural residents turning travelers into mortified victims with limited life expectancies is a part of the deal, but there’s more than that happening here. I’m tempted to spill the beans and reveal the ultimate end game of this one, but that’s doing you a true injustice.
Know this… a lot of personalities are lively here, and you will side with a few while developing disdain for a few others. You will not, however, feel as though they all get what they deserve because when these country crazies get hold of this lot, placing them center stage for fatal mortification, it gets abnormally sadistic. We’re talking really, really sadistic… and it’s all in the name of entertainment!
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
You can pick any film in the Texas Chain Saw Massacre franchise, and it pretty much applies to this list. We’re going to keep it old school and tip our hat to the picture that started it all, Tobe Hooper’s alarming original. The visceral effect of this picture still, to this day, goes unrivaled, and although many have come forth over the years to cite the lack of onscreen gore as a major weakness, it isn’t a detriment to the production in the least bit.
The impact of the picture is mortifying, and for an hour and a half viewers feel as though they’re trapped in the world of this country bumpkin, psychotic, flesh-eating family with no hope of escape. In the middle of nowhere, no one will hear you scream – that’s an absolute truth – and Tobe Hooper gave us a very real, very frightening reminder of that.
Severance
This film is outrageous. It also breaks a lot of rules. As similar as it is – at times – to Wrong Turn, it is radically different with one of the least expected twist finales you’ll ever see in your life. It’s all about an eclectic group who embark on a business trip out of town that goes horribly awry, but it makes that concept feel extremely fresh.
Why is the hotel they’re booked to stay at located in such a desolate area? And why does the place look as though it hasn’t seen a cleanup crew pay a visit in a decade? I’ll give you a hint: This isn’t the destination these folks thought it was, and the shadows lurking about outside aren’t any form of business partner one would want to meet. Christopher Smith is an extremely underrated filmmaker, but if you’re going to give his work a try, this is an excellent introductory piece!
The Cottage
The brilliant aspect of this film is that it never ceases to be one massive surprise. 15 Minutes into the film, and you’ve got an idea where the story is going. 30 Minutes later, and you’re starting to really question your assessment of the picture. And then the final act comes barreling toward us and catches us totally and completely off-guard.
It’s such a jaw-dropping flick I’m inclined to withhold any details whatsoever, but that won’t do you much good in encouraging you to check out the film so I’ll say this: What starts as a botched kidnapping job rapidly escalates until we’re face to face with a hulking mutant-looking bastard who loves to murder, murder, murder. And it’s all handled so beautifully with gut-busting comedy that it proves difficult to avoid being captivated. Writer/director Paul Andrew Williams does a stellar job of pulling the rug from beneath our feet and letting us know that what we thought this film was about is mighty different than what it’s actually about.
The Creeper
Obscure pick of the list? You bet! The story puts the focus on five doctors who have embarked on a wilderness trip to get away from things too serious to let rule existence. Doctors need a little time away, too, you know. And that all sounds good and fun until a handful of creepy, deformed freaks decide they’ve got some hideous plans for these uppity schmucks. And for the record, those plans don’t involve much in the way of enjoyment.
This one has a very serious grindhouse appeal. It hasn’t aged as well as some, but there are a handful of very tense moments that are destined to crawl under your skin. Today The Creeper could no doubt be considered something of a rarity, but if you can find it (you may also spot it under the title Rituals), it’s worth a serious look. Especially if you’re a fanatic for grindhouse cinema.
