The slasher movie genre has been eerily quiet for far too long. Its golden age passed decades ago, and most modern incarnations are either ill-fated reboots or artless cash-ins. Fans of Freddy and Jason need something that captures the spirit of the original films while bringing something new to the conversation. Those bloodthirsty fans should look no further than Adam Green’sHatchetfranchise.
Part of thesuccess of slasher moviescomes from how easy they are to make. It takes effort to rip offThe Thing, not to mention how easy it would be to mess up. All it takes to create the nextFriday the 13this six or seven attractive actors, a large man in a mask, and gallons of fake blood. Countless low-budget filmmakers followed that simple path, but theHatchetfranchise did it right.
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What are theHatchetMovies About?
TheHatchetseries takes place in the swampsoutside of New Orleans. The films cover only a few days, as several unsuspecting victims wander into the deep wetland. The franchise’s killer is Victor Crowley. Victor was born in the Honey Island Swamps. Thomas, Victor’s father, conceived Victor while cheating on his wife with the personal in-house nurse treating her terminal cancer. His father’s infidelity led his wife to curse Victor with her dying breath. Victor was born with a terrible congenital condition that covered his skin with tumors. His appearance killed his mother instantly, leaving him to be raised by Thomas. Thomas hid Victor for years, but he gradually grew to love his deformed child. Unfortunately, a group of kids tossed fireworks into the Crowley estate, burning the shack. Thomas tried to save Victor, but while breaking down the door with a hatchet, he accidentally buried its blade in his son’s skull.
The strike killed Victor. The grief killed Thomas. Victor’s spirit returned to his damaged body and began skulking through the swamps. He was supposedly permanently trapped in the moment of his death. The Crowley family’s fate became a locallegend in New Orleans. Tours through the Honey Island Swamps frequently make use of ghost stories and spooky mythos to excite the guests.Hatchetfollows an ill-fated group on a swamp tour who encounter Victor and suffer his wrath. Victor Crowley continues his reign of terror throughout the swamps, and anyone who stumbles through the area is in terrible danger.
How ManyHatchetMovies Are There?
ThefirstHatchetfilm cameto the festival circuit in 2006. It marketed itself almost entirely on its position as a return to form for the genre. Its shockingly bold tagline stated, “It’s not a remake. It’s not a sequel. And it’s not based on a Japanese one”. The firstHatchetfilm spawned three sequels for a total of four entries in the franchise. There’s also a tie-in comic book miniseries. The films succeed thanks to their old-school marketing gimmick and their commitment to over-the-top gore. A very similar gimmick led Damien Leonie to massive financial winnings withhis ongoingTerrifierfranchise. While that series doubled down on violence,Hatchetfeatures constant callbacks to the golden age of slashers. Robert Englund and Tony Todd have important cameos. Vincent is portrayed by Kane Hodder, who previously portrayed both Jason Voorhees and Leatherface.
Hatchetfollows a group of victims who travel into the swamp and meet Victor Crowley. The film’s final girl, Marybeth Dunston, suffers a similarfate toFriday the 13th’sAlice, without the fakeout.Hatchet IIfollows Marybeth after she escapes Crowley, discovers the truth of his curse, and returns to the swamp to seek revenge.Hatchet IIIgets the police involved and introduces a reporter obsessed with learning about Crowley. The fourth film,Victor Crowley, takes place a decade after the original trilogy. Director Adam Green has suggested that a fifth film could be on the way.
WhichHatchetMovies Are the Best?
It’s hard to pick the best film in theHatchetfranchise.Victor Crowleyhas the best critical reception, according to Rotten Tomatoes. The first film is arguably the most sincere in itsintention to be a horror film. The second and third lean into the absurdity of the backstory, andVictor Crowleyis an outright comedy with gore in place of punchlines. The original trilogy plays out more like episodes of a TV show than three separate films. Fans looking for pure horror should run to the 2006 original. Fans looking for the most polished entry should check outVictor Crowley. Either way, if classic slashers and comical gore appeal, everyHatchetis a good time.
TheHatchetfranchise knows exactly what it wants to be, and it succeeds at every turn. They’re lurid, trashy, comedic,grotesque slasher films thatwill inspire disgust and laughter in equal measure. Fans wondering whether Jason will ever return from Camp Crystal Lake can find a new favorite killer in Victor Crowley.
