Hellhole, original title: Ostatnia wieczerza, which seems to translate to "last supper", is a horror mystery with strong scenery, okay overall story, but lack of a satisfying ending to this mix. An average entry to the genre.
In Hellhole, Poland, 1987, the carrier of the prophecy's mark, now an investigator, willingly enters a monastery set as sanatorium to investigate the disappearance of young women in the region only to find out more than what he expected.
We start the movie with a scene that illustrates a prophecy, seemingly not a good one, though. Shoot forward some 30 years, not accurate, and we see Marek in a desolated countryside landscape, about to join a monastery as a priest. The grim scenery of the lands around the monastery and the place itself is enough to raise all suspicions; at this point, we also suspect something wrong is happening.
The creepiness of the monastery and its clergy is suffocating, and aren't in a horror story after all? In fact, one of Hellhole's stronger elements is its scenery. The reality that people lived in those conditions is amazing.
But scenery alone does not save a story. Hellhole's plot does not evolve to a satisfying conclusion.
Marek, the main character, starts strong, determined and, yet, naïve. However, his development is weak, always one step behind. Piotr Zurawski does an okay acting job, overall.
Nonetheless, the show-stealer is Sebastian Stankiewicz as Monk Piotr. His transformation in the story is great. Prior Andrzej by Olaf Lubaszenko also leads with good outcomes. But we aren't here only for their stories, right? Marek, the lead, lacks a satisfying arc.
Up until the climax, the story is predictable, if we consider the themes in place. With the genre in mind, a horror-driven mystery, Hellhole would have definitely gotten the "okay" trophy. The downfall starts at the climax and the story's resolution, which culminates in a weak conclusion to the story.
Bartosz Kowalski is the director driving this project, and the co-writer of this story. Kowalski is known for movies like Playground (2016) and A Dream in the Making (2012), having a record as a director since 2006; not a newbie. I'm not acquainted with his work, so I haven't really seen his mark, but, overall, I guess his lack of a proper conclusion might be his failure alone.
Hellhole does not add any novelty to the horror genre, ending up like any generic B-movie. If you are a fan of unavoidability themes and strong satanic themes, Hellhole might please, but those seeking for a strong story and character development will not appreciate this movie.
In Hellhole, Poland, 1987, the carrier of the prophecy's mark, now an investigator, willingly enters a monastery set as sanatorium to investigate the disappearance of young women in the region only to find out more than what he expected.
We start the movie with a scene that illustrates a prophecy, seemingly not a good one, though. Shoot forward some 30 years, not accurate, and we see Marek in a desolated countryside landscape, about to join a monastery as a priest. The grim scenery of the lands around the monastery and the place itself is enough to raise all suspicions; at this point, we also suspect something wrong is happening.
The creepiness of the monastery and its clergy is suffocating, and aren't in a horror story after all? In fact, one of Hellhole's stronger elements is its scenery. The reality that people lived in those conditions is amazing.
But scenery alone does not save a story. Hellhole's plot does not evolve to a satisfying conclusion.
Marek, the main character, starts strong, determined and, yet, naïve. However, his development is weak, always one step behind. Piotr Zurawski does an okay acting job, overall.
Nonetheless, the show-stealer is Sebastian Stankiewicz as Monk Piotr. His transformation in the story is great. Prior Andrzej by Olaf Lubaszenko also leads with good outcomes. But we aren't here only for their stories, right? Marek, the lead, lacks a satisfying arc.
Up until the climax, the story is predictable, if we consider the themes in place. With the genre in mind, a horror-driven mystery, Hellhole would have definitely gotten the "okay" trophy. The downfall starts at the climax and the story's resolution, which culminates in a weak conclusion to the story.
Bartosz Kowalski is the director driving this project, and the co-writer of this story. Kowalski is known for movies like Playground (2016) and A Dream in the Making (2012), having a record as a director since 2006; not a newbie. I'm not acquainted with his work, so I haven't really seen his mark, but, overall, I guess his lack of a proper conclusion might be his failure alone.
Hellhole does not add any novelty to the horror genre, ending up like any generic B-movie. If you are a fan of unavoidability themes and strong satanic themes, Hellhole might please, but those seeking for a strong story and character development will not appreciate this movie.