Hacksaw (film)

Hacksaw
Poster
Directed byAnthony Leone
Written byAnthony Leone
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAnthony Leone
Edited byAnthony Leone
Music byR. Kim Shultz
Production
companies
Distributed byMidnight Releasing
Release dates
  • February 15, 2020 (2020-02-15) (Monsters of Horror Film Festival)
  • January 5, 2021 (2021-01-05) (VOD)
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Hacksaw is a 2020 found footage horror slasher film written and directed by Anthony Leone in his feature film debut. The film stars Amy Cay, Brian Patrick Butler, Michael C. Burgess and Cortney Palm.

Plot

A traveling young couple on a road trip venture into an abandoned building where a serial killer once tortured their victims.

Cast

Production

The feature film directorial debut for Leone,[1] who was also cinematographer, editor, writer and producer.[2] Leone gave thanks credit to Tobe Hooper and Dennis Hopper, noting influence of the film came from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Easy Rider.[3] The film was shot in San Diego at Gray Area Multimedia[4][5] with only practical effects[6] and most of the time, a three person crew.[7]

Release

Hacksaw premiered on February 15, 2020, at Monsters of Horror International Film Festival.[2] It was distributed on video on demand by Midnight Releasing on January 5, 2021.[8][6]

Reception

The film won Best Slasher Film at Monsters of Horror International Film Festival.[2]

Critical response

Midnight Horror Show scored it 3 out of 5 claiming the runtime was too short, though the plot was interesting.[9] Michael Therkelsen at Horror Society gave it a 6 out of 10, stating that the "special effects and scenes of torture" save the movie, adding "It’s a romp in an abandoned building filled with torture porn and sizable talent."[4] AJ Friar at Infamous Horrors gave it 3 out of 5 stating that it is a unique film but the script could be tighter.[10] Dante Yurei of 10th Circle scored it 4 out of 10, claiming it will get the "attention of gorehounds."[11] David Garrett at Dark Discussions said most of the story was boring and needed more development scoring it 3.5 out of 10.[12] Bloodbath and Beyond gave the film 1 out of 5.[13] Jim Morazzini at Voices From The Balcony scored it a 1 out of 5 calling it a "torture porn" splatter film and that "feels like a bad attempt at a Rob Zombie film."[14] Andrew Welsh scored it an F, claiming "you won’t find any low budget, indie horror movie charm here."[1] FilmTv said it had disastrous direction which simulates the terrible mockumentary.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b Welsh, Andrew (2021-01-12). "Hacksaw: Some Legends Should Probably Stay Dead". The Abominable Dr. Welsh. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  2. ^ a b c "An urban legend murderer is back to business in "Hacksaw"". Ganiveta Magazine. 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  3. ^ Winn, Danni (2020-12-09). "Interview With 'Hacksaw' (2020) Writer And Director Anthony Leone". PopHorror. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  4. ^ a b Therkelsen, Michael (2019-09-15). "Review: Anthony Leone's "Hacksaw"". Horror Society. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  5. ^ "Luke Pensabene | Co-Producer – Friend of the World". Charybdis Pictures. Archived from the original on 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  6. ^ a b Blem, Tiffany (2021-01-14). "Behind the Lens: Filmmaker Anthony Leone (Hacksaw)". Morbidly Beautiful. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  7. ^ Rogers, Philip (2021-01-13). "Philip Rogers chats with Hacksaw Director". Blazing Minds. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  8. ^ Joy, Mike (2020-12-13). "HACKSAW cuts into VOD on January 5th from Midnight Releasing". Horror News | HNN. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  9. ^ "Movie Review: Hacksaw (2019)". Midnight Horror Show. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  10. ^ Friar, AJ (2021-01-09). "'Hacksaw' review-A Retro-thrill ride". Infamous Horror. Archived from the original on 2021-01-09. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  11. ^ Yurei, Dante (2021-01-12). "Review: Hacksaw". 10th Circle | Horror Movies Reviews. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  12. ^ Garrett, David (2021-01-25). "Confessions of a Cinephile – Hacksaw (2021) – Review". Dark Discussions News Network. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  13. ^ Bond, Jay (2021-01-16). Hacksaw (2020) – Movie Review. Bloodbath and Beyond. Archived from the original on 2022-11-10. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  14. ^ Morazzini, Jim (2021-01-08). "Hacksaw (2020) Review - Voices From The Balcony". Voices From The Balcony. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  15. ^ Recensione su Hacksaw (2021) di undying | FilmTV.it (in Italian), 2021-01-13, retrieved 2022-11-18