Movie Review: ‘Hi-Fear’

Review by Hunter Meale

“What’s your greatest fear?” This chilling question sets the stage for the ambitious anthology “Hi-Fear,” the final installment in the “Hi-8” trilogy. The film takes viewers on a journey through four stand-alone tales of terror and comedy that are reminiscent of the 80’s classic “Creepshow”. The movie begins with Natalie, an illustrator tasked with creating four bone-chilling stories for a new comic book also titled “Hi-Fear.” Each story unfolds in its own unique way, drawing viewers into a world where nightmares can come to life.

The first tale, “Losing it at the Devil’s Whorehouse,” introduces us to a group of young men seeking a night of excitement and adventure, only to stumble upon a den of sin that turns out to be far deadlier than they could have imagined. The suspense builds steadily as we witness their desperate struggle to survive, and the tension keeps us on the edge of our seats- for a time. The violence and gore at the climax (no pun intended) of the story are all but ruined by an overuse of extreme close-up shots and poor acting that turn the horror into comedy instantaneously.

In “When Shadows Come Alive,” the second story, a cop and her abused lover attempt the perfect murder, but their plans take a horrific turn when they find themselves stranded in the woods with a family of cannibals. The cannibals are downright creepy and the story has an entertaining twist. The blend of psychological thriller and survival horror works well, although its 30 minute runtime could have easily been cut in half by eliminating long, drawn out sequences of the characters wandering through the woods while nothing notable occurs.

“The Streets are Watching,” the third and overall best of the four stories, follows a homeless youth on an all-night urban odyssey as she tries to escape from a demon-possessed madman. The story is straightforward and suspenseful, with the film’s lacking budget being the least evident compared to the other stories.

Finally, “Day Out of Days” explores the plight of three isolated film crew members who become entangled in an alleged apocalyptic invasion. With an extremely slow, dragging pace leading to a disappointing climax, this final tale completely drops the ball on a story that had potential. The story also fails to create a sense of urgency or genuine fear, leaving the audience detached from the characters’ struggles.

While “Hi-Fear” attempts to pay homage to classics like “Creepshow,” it ultimately feels like a disappointing rip-off. Unlike “Creepshow”, “Hi-Fear” fails big time with its pacing, which is an especially serious offense for an anthology. Also unlike “Creepshow”, “Hi-Fear” showcases some worthwhile tales shrouded in social commentary, including references to the ongoing climate crisis and opioid epidemic, which makes it stand out among most other indie horror films. The plotlines also involve fun twists, but the special effects, CGI, and overuse of extreme close-ups during the gorey scenes ruin any potential terror. While the film may have promising plots, its low-budget indie nature limits its ability to deliver the necessary scares and fails to capture the essence of the horror anthology genre.

ON DIGITAL JUNE 13
ON DVD JULY 11, 2023