Sundance '13 Review - HELL BABY - Hilarious Horror Comedy

Hell Baby

Directors: Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon

Screenwriters: Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon

Principal Cast: Rob Corddry, Leslie Bibb, Keegan Michael Key, Riki Lindhome, Paul Scheer, and Rob Huebel

Official Synopsis: Expectant couple Jack and Vanessa move into the most haunted fixer-upper in New Orleans—a house with a deadly demonic curse. When things soon spiral out of control, it’ll take the help of Vanessa’s Wiccan sister, a nosey “neighbor” who lives in their crawl space, two local detectives, and a pair of elite Vatican exorcists to save them—or is italready too late?

Revered as two of the minds behind the hilarious sketch television shows Reno 911!, The State, and Viva Variety and the screenwriters of big-budget comedies like the Night at the Museum films, comedians Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant finally unleash their codirectorial debut. Featuring a seasoned comedic ensemble, including scene stealers Leslie Bibb and Keegan Michael Key, this raucous horror spoof sics the devilish humor of its creators on the most sacred of genre conventions: the haunted house, an exorcism, and one pissy demon child.

Story and Direction:

This is the most ridiculous and hilariously fun movie that I've seen at Sundance. It's a horror film that delivers some great stupid comedy on an unexpected level. The story follow a couple with a baby on the way that moves into an old, rundown house located in the hood of Louisiana somewhere near New Orleans. The house is a legend in the neighborhood because of all the people that have died their over the years. Of course, the couple knew nothing of this when they bought it. Strange things start to happen, the wife becomes possessed, there's a hilarious character living in the basement, an insane 90 year old living corpse, a couple of cops that are suspicious of the couple, and two priests sent to the house to prevent a devil baby from being born.

You'll have to see the movie to appreciate the comedy, because there's really nothing I can say here that will do it justice. Just take my word for it when I tell you you're going to laugh your ass off! There's plenty of horror movie parody and clichés in the movie, but that stuff is all done on purpose. The movie knows what it is, and that's why it works. As far as horror comedies go, it's a hell of a lot better than those crappy Scary Movie spoof type films. This one deserves to be in theaters more than those other pieces of shit that the studios pump out.

The film is loaded with tons of blood, violence, gore, profanity and an interesting nude filled shower scene with the husband and his wife's sister. It's sure to get your attention and hold it for as long as you dwell on it. From beginning to end  the movie had me busting up laughing. There are so many great unexpected scenes that play out, and it all leads up to a crazy over the top climax that explodes into awesome bloody mess.

The movie was directed by the guys that brought us Reno 911, and I had an incredibly fun time watching this film. I think you'll have a blast watching it.

Performances:

For those of you who enjoy comedic performances, you're going to enjoy the hilarity that the actors bring to the table in this film. It was packed full of truly funny performances with great comedic timing. I think my favorite character in the film was from Keegan Michael Key, he stole every scene that he was in, but like I said everyone is great in the movie.

Similar To:

As far as horror comedies go, Hell Baby is comparable to movies like Tucker and Dale, and if you enjoy any of the films Broker Lizard has made, you should enjoy this one as well, as it's better and funnier than those Broken Lizard movies.

Chances You'll See It in Theaters:

I truly hope this movie gets a wide release date. I think it has the star power, but it will most likely end up getting a limited theatrical and VOD release.