Hellbender
A secluded teenager's escape into the outside world awakens a terrifying family legacy of witchcraft.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- brooding
- rebellious
- late night horror viewing
- independent horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an original and increasingly surreal folk horror driven by confident filmmaking, strong performances, and striking cinematography despite limited low-budget effects.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Izzy discovers that her family's past is tied to witchcraft, making heredity central to the supernatural conflict.
Izzy repeatedly leaves seclusion for the city and gradually learns unsettling truths about herself and her family.
The Adams family members occupy the central writing, directing, acting, and production roles.
Mother and daughter share a primitive rock band, linking music, rebellion, and occult discovery.
Films like Hellbender, and why
The Witch
shared folk horror atmosphere, family secrets, adolescent self-discovery, and supernatural heritage
Ginger Snaps
shared coming-of-age horror, female-centered supernatural conflict, and unsettling isolation
Pyewacket
shared mother daughter relationship, witchcraft, surreal imagery, and low-budget experimental horror
The Blair Witch Project
shared rural isolation, occult mythology, eerie atmosphere, and unconventional genre filmmaking
Movie Details
- Directors
- Zelda Adams, Toby Poser, John Adams
- Release Date
- 2021-09-28
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (149)
Cast
- Zelda Adams
- Toby Poser
- Lulu Adams
- John Adams
- Rinzin Thonden
- Khenzom
- Shawn Wilson
- Judy Rosen
- Rob Figueroa
- Tess McKeegan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Shudder Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hellbender about?
- A secluded teenager's escape into the outside world awakens a terrifying family legacy of witchcraft.
- What is Hellbender like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hellbender as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Hellbender violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Hellbender as moderate.
- What did critics think of Hellbender?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an original and increasingly surreal folk horror driven by confident filmmaking, strong performances, and striking cinematography despite limited low-budget effects.
- Which films are like Hellbender?
- Films with a similar feel include The Witch, Ginger Snaps, Pyewacket, and The Blair Witch Project.
- How long is Hellbender?
- Hellbender runs 83 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hellbender?
- In United States, Hellbender streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Shudder Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV channel.
