Escape From Cannibal Farm Overlooked Indie B-Movies

Escape From Cannibal Farm could have been a hidden gem among the myriad of indie movies choosing to opt for this setting. Sadly, bogged down by a generic and stereotypical typecast, this horror film left me wanting. The story follows a family heading off on a road trip in their trusty camper van. They set out with the best of intentions, yearning for a short-lived adventure. But alas, fate has a wicked sense of humor. Especially when it leads them to a lonely farm shrouded in shadows.

Bravely seeking aid, they approach their seemingly hospitable neighbors, hoping for a glimmer of salvation. Little do they know that danger lurks in the heart of this serene countryside. And don’t you know it? Their hosts have sinister intentions. Like trapped animals, they find themselves imprisoned, their lives in balance. Though the film boasts only a handful of cannibalistic visual horrors, it is a nice homage to the classic slasher genre, paying tribute to revered films such as The Hills Have Eyes and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series.

Escape From Cannibal Farm

• The van contains the following personality types:
• The token as*hole who’s just an as*hole for no reason.
• The token couple to allow screen minutes for sexy time
• A token teen who in certain light looked a lot like a 35-year-old man, and of course, his token wife. If I’m honest wife Katherine was the only one who could stay in character.

All of the characters in Escape From Cannibal Farm were painted with the dislike brush, annoying me more and more as the movie wore on. Suffice it to say, I was happy when they started getting killed off.

There were a few redeeming factors in this budget horror movie, such as the decently executed kill scenes. One notable example is when the boyfriend experiences a gruesome accident while attempting to escape, and later on, when another character meets a grim fate with a poker through the neck. I must admit that the gore effects were well-presented and visually striking on the screen. However, more care was needed with the set pieces and wardrobe in Escape From Cannibal Farm. The costumes lacked attention to detail.

Down on the Indie Movie Farm

Escape From Cannibal Farm is a horror movie that showcases a cast of characters with exaggerated performances, prompting thoughts about intentional over-acting. While the story initially piques interest with its potential for redemption, it unfortunately veers off course in its attempt to introduce twists that ultimately fall flat.

By the time the film reaches its big reveal, the impact is diminished as it fails to align with the overall narrative. However, there is a noteworthy conversation between the mother and daughter that explores the daughter’s assumptions influenced by horror movies, adding a touch of self-awareness.

Although Escape From Cannibal Farm strives to be clever, it becomes overly focused on this aspect and neglects to effectively utilize potential plotlines. The characters such as the daughter, the meat guy, the mother, and the stepdad are underdeveloped and left me wishing they had more depth. Additionally, there are instances of lengthy storytelling that detract from the overall pacing. The film’s heavy emphasis on explaining the daughter’s background without leveraging it to create tension leaves it feeling unfulfilled.

Escape From Cannibal Farm draws inspiration from the Texas Chain Saw Massacre and embraces its indie roots, but unfortunately, it falls short of delivering a cohesive and compelling experience, resulting in a rather messy outcome.

Escape From Cannibal Farm movie is rated

1.5 shame about the story out of 5

Where to Watch Escape From Cannibal Farm

Director and Writer: Charlie Steeds
Release: Obscura Film Festival straight to VOD October 2017
Distributor: Dark Temple Motion Pictures
The cast for Escape Cannibal Farm: Kate Davies-Speak, Barrington De La Roche, and David Lenik.

The film is available to watch for free in several countries such as the USA and Canada. Escape From Cannibal Farm is not available to stream in Australia.

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