To fans of ultra-gory low-budget, and shot-on-video horror films, Todd Sheets needs no introduction. The “Master of Splatter” has been producing his own special brand of movies for decades. Known for their relentless gore and DIY aesthetic, Sheets’ films are loved by legions of cult film fans. His latest to hit video, Bonehill Road, shows a director/writer who’s clearly growing as a storyteller but not losing sight of his roots.
Bonehill Road follows Emily and Eden (Eli DeGeer and Ana Rojas-Plumberg), who escape a dangerous domestic situation only to find themselves hunted by a fierce animalistic threat. They take solace in a seemingly empty house, only to discover that this new hideaway may not be the safe space they were hoping for. The film does a fine job of taking a classic horror sub-genre and beefing it up with some interesting story elements that raise the stakes for those who think they have seen it all.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Todd Sheets creature feature without excessive blood and guts. On that front, Bonehill Road delivers. There’s no shortage of visceral and gross practical applications and gags in this film. A key scene with FX handled by gore maestro Joe Castro (Terror Toons) is notably gruesome and ambitious. Also, the creature suits in Bonehill Road are impressively brutish and menacing and are mostly utilized to good effect.
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The acting performances also tie this film to Sheets’ other films from a style standpoint. Actor Douglas Epps (Dreaming Purple Neon) turns in a quirky performance as mega-creep Coen Anders and actress Dilynn Fawn Harvey (Clownado) puts her absolute all into the very demanding role of Lucy. Horror fans will also relish in the presence of scream queen extraordinaire Linnea Quigley (Return of the Living Dead) and genre film Jack of all trades Gary Kent (Satan’s Sadists).
Fans of Sheets’ films, particularly his newer films, will find a lot to love here. Bonehill Road is a swiftly paced horror film that benefits from some nasty special FX gags and some endearing acting performances that you can only get from the type of homegrown horror films that Todd Sheets has been blessing us with since the early ’90s.
Bonehill Road is available now from Wild Eye Releasing. Stick around through the credits for a little surprise!
