Hayride to Hell: A Mediocre Ride Through Hell

Hayride to Hell is a film that attempts to ride on the shoulders of horror veteran Bill Moseley, banking on his unmatched ability to bring life to eccentric, disturbed characters. In this case, Moseley takes on the role of Farmer Sam, a man wronged by corrupt county officials and local law enforcement. Yet, despite Moseley’s commitment to the character, the film falters under the weight of an unlikable protagonist and a storyline that struggles to find its footing.

At its core, Hayride to Hell presents Farmer Sam as a man fighting against a system that has done him wrong. The farm, which has been in his family for generations, is on the verge of being lost due to mounting debts. Instead of taking a more practical approach—such as selling off a portion of his land—Sam places all his hopes on the success of his seasonal haunted hayride attraction.

When a cease-and-desist order forces him to shut down the hayride, Sam’s descent into madness begins. In a desperate and ill-conceived move, he makes a bet that he can scare the county commissioners, the corrupt sheriff, and his dimwitted deputy, along with an unlikeable local couple. This bet sets the stage for Sam’s disturbing revenge plot against those he deems responsible for his misfortunes.

The problem lies in how the character of Farmer Sam is written. While it’s clear that the intent is to paint him as a man pushed to his limits, the execution leaves much to be desired. Rather than inspiring sympathy, Sam comes off as entitled, bitter, and unreasonable. His frustration with the corrupt sheriff and the county commissioners feels justified on the surface, but beneath that is a character so unpleasant that it’s difficult to root for him. No amount of backstory about the hayride’s legacy on the community can make up for how off-putting Sam becomes as the narrative progresses. Instead of a relatable anti-hero standing up to a broken system, Sam feels more like an old man unwilling to accept the reality of his situation.

The film’s underlying message seems to aim for a commentary on the downtrodden fighting back against oppressive forces. In theory, this could have worked, especially given the corrupt sheriff, sleazy county commissioners, and a wealthy local couple who embody the very system Sam despises. The problem is that Sam’s increasingly deranged actions and lack of redeeming qualities undermine any potential for this theme to resonate. Rather than a clever critique of power dynamics, it devolves into a series of revenge killings that lack emotional weight.

Hayride to Hell also suffers from an implausibility that’s hard to ignore. Sam manages to convince his hayride employees to participate in his revenge scheme, an idea that’s never fully explained or justified. The employees, who presumably signed up to run a spooky hayride for locals, suddenly find themselves complicit in murder with little to no resistance. Even more baffling is the involvement of Sam’s niece, an EMT, and her partner, who not only go along with the killings but actively help dispose of the bodies and harvest organs to help Sam make a profit. The film never offers a compelling reason for why these characters would be so willing to take part in such a grisly plan, leaving a gaping hole in the narrative’s logic.

Kane Hodder, another horror staple, stars as Sheriff Jubel. Known for his iconic portrayal of Jason Voorhees, Hodder brings his imposing presence to the role of the corrupt lawman. While his portrayal offers moments of menace, it’s Hodder’s delivery of biting, quippy insults that truly stands out. He spits venomous dialogue with a cruel charm, showcasing a different side of his acting abilities beyond his usual silent, menacing roles. Despite this, the character feels underutilized, failing to fully capitalize on Hodder’s strengths as a horror icon.

The film does, however, make a bold choice in a scene where Hodder’s character is set on fire. This moment carries a particular weight given Hodder’s real-life history with severe burn injuries. While it’s a shocking and visceral scene, it also serves as a reminder of Hodder’s resilience and dedication to his craft. The inclusion of this fire-related violence adds an extra layer of tension and discomfort, knowing the actor’s personal history with such trauma.

Despite its flaws, Hayride to Hell does manage to deliver a handful of entertaining moments, particularly during the film’s more creative kills. The idea of a haunted hayride becoming a front for real-life murders is intriguing, and some of the staged deaths are genuinely gruesome. One scene, in which Sheriff Jubel unknowingly kills his son, the leader of a group of local vandals, stands out as one of the film’s more shocking moments. Another memorable sequence involves Witch Hazel, a long-time employee who has been stealing from Sam for years. In a twisted act of poetic justice, Sam has her tied to a stake and set ablaze, mimicking the fate of accused witches, all while the hayride audience, believes it to be part of the show.

In the end, Hayride to Hell is a film that squanders its potential. With horror veterans like Bill Moseley and Kane Hodder on board and a premise that could have offered a fresh take on the revenge genre, it’s disappointing to see the film veer into territory that feels both predictable and implausible. While hardcore fans of Moseley or Hodder might find some enjoyment in seeing these icons tackle new roles, most viewers will likely find the hayride more tedious than terrifying.

The film serves as a reminder that even with talented actors and a promising concept, horror movies require a deft hand in balancing tone, pacing, and character development. Hayride to Hell, unfortunately, misses the mark on all counts, leaving behind a muddled mess of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. It’s a journey that, much like Farmer Sam’s ill-fated hayride, leads nowhere particularly satisfying or scary.

Hayride to Hell

Movie Information

Title: Hayride to Hell
Release Year: 2022
Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes
Genre: Horror
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10 (based on 43 ratings)
Release Date: September 24, 2024 (upcoming)

Plot Summary

A small town farmer exacts bloody revenge on unscrupulous town folk who try to steal his land1.

Cast

Bill Moseley
Kane Hodder
Graham Wolfe
Allyson Malandra
Jared Michael Delaney
Shelby Hightower
Melanie Martyn
Brooke Stacy Mills
Denise Parella
Chris James Boylan

Production Details

Color film
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Trivia

The film premiered at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA on October 26th, 20221.
The Colonial Theatre is the same movie theatre featured in “The Blob” (1958)1.

User Reviews

One featured review gave the movie a 10/10 rating, praising the over-the-top gore and unnecessary violence1.
The reviewer highlighted the performances of Kane Hodder and Bill Moseley1.
The supporting cast was also praised for making the movie great1.