HOME CINEMA: KILLBILLIES (2015) d. Tomaz Gorkic — On Demand.

… a short tale of two titles.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF SLAUGHTER!

We spent late last night with Slovenian hicksploitation slasher KILLBILLIES.

Renamed to sell, this European cousin of backwoods shocker WRONG TURN is possibly too derivative to stand much taller than its inbred kinfolk. What sets it apart are its sumptuous cinematography, welcome practical effects and a truly mesmerising (if you ignore the mid-credit sting) final image that will seer itself into your brain.

But what of the title? If “KILLBILLIES” — a tale of city folk stumbling across hooch-brewing mutants — had evolved into a STREET TRASH style splatter-fest, we would have been smiling all the way to the proverbial foyer. As it stands, the rebrand draws too much attention to what the film isn’t quite. Yes, there are some grungy kills but there’s also an otherworldly tone that holds us back from the brink of hell. It’s as if the broad characterisations, crude gore and travel brochure landscapes are all trying to tell us something…

We prefer the irony of original Slovenian title “IDILA” (aka IDYLL) and its beautiful fairytale poster (see below) which suggest a different film entirely. It’s amazing what one word can do.

“What is it Francl? Do you have a boo-boo on your arm?”

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

• Visit the film’s official website.
• KILLBILLIES streams on Amazon Video in the UK.
• Artsploitation Films distribute the movie stateside.
• Forces of Geek and We Are Indie Horror thought it was OK too.
• For more recent Euro horror, read our notes on WELP (aka CUB).

Featured image/poster: KILLBILLIES aka IDYLL (2015).