Indie Horror Spotlight: ‘Hellbilly Hollow’ Brings Practical Gore and Heavy Metal to Theaters

The blood-soaked Southern throwback horror film will be released in select U.S. theaters on September 25, 2026. Photo: Bald Man Films/Convoke Media, used with permission.

THE BACKWOODS GET BLOODY: “HELLBILLY HOLLOW” TRAILER DROPS AHEAD OF SEPTEMBER THEATER RELEASE

One of the South’s most iconic haunted attractions is about to become the setting for an all-new generation’s nightmares.

Bald Man Films and Todd Slater’s Convoke Media have officially unleashed the first trailer for “Hellbilly Hollow,” a blood-soaked Southern throwback horror reminiscent of cult classics Terrifier and Friday the 13th. Filmed on location at the real-life Hellbilly Hollow haunted attraction in Vincent, Alabama, the film slashes into select U.S. theaters via Atlas Distribution Company on Friday, September 25. (Cinematic Red PR, 2026)

Check out the trailer breakdown, storyline, and behind-the-scenes details below.

The Synopsis: Real Scares in the Alabama Backwoods

In Hellbilly Hollow, a team of paranormal YouTubers ventures deep into the Alabama backwoods to film at a haunted attraction the night before Halloween. They soon encounter a sinister presence far more frightening, and deadlier, than specters and staged scares:

  • Tickles: A disfigured, childlike clown.
  • Bull: His manipulative caretaker brother.

One by one, the investigators and local thrill-seekers fall victim to the siblings’ sadistic games inside the attraction’s real-life haunted barn, hayride, and scare zones.

From Commercial Shoot to Southern Slasher

The idea for the film took root on-site at the attraction, where director Kevin Wayne was initially filming a commercial. After envisioning a sinister figure hunting victims through the haunt’s eerie backwoods setting, the concept evolved into a full-length feature.

“I’ve wanted to make a horror film for a long time – but not just any horror film. With ‘Hellbilly Hollow,’ I saw a chance to tell a true Southern horror story – one that’s sinister and twisted, atmospheric and character-driven, not just reliant on jump scares and gore.”Kevin Wayne (Director / “Tickles”)

“We came up with a slate of outrageous, never-before-seen kills. From day one, we knew this would be the start of something bigger – a series of films built around a place, two complex, deranged siblings, and the culture they inhabit.”Kurt Deimer (Producer / “Bull”)

Practical FX, Heavy Metal, and Carnage

Designed to deliver authentic throwback thrills, Hellbilly Hollow turns carnival mechanics into lethal traps. Engineered by executive producer and production designer Mike Denard, the set features customized, practical set pieces including:

  • Wack-a-Troll
  • High Striker
  • Acid Darts
  • Car Dunk Sequence

The Sound of Horror:

Supercharging the scares, the film features an original score composed by Roy Mayorga (Ministry), sound design by Tom Boykin (John Wick: Chapter 4, The Last of Us), and eight original songs performed by rock artist and co-star Kurt Deimer.

Cast and Crew Highlights

  • Cast: Kurt Deimer, Kevin Wayne, Danny Vinson, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Megan Alexandrea Weaver, Hallie Shepherd, Trey Miller, and Keller Fornes.
  • Director: Kevin Wayne
  • Writer: Bernadette Chapman
  • Producers: Kurt Deimer, Todd Slater
  • Director of Photography: David Brower
  • Executive Producers: Michael T. Clarke, Mike Denard, Andy Gould, David Miller, Tim Miller, James Srygley, Kevin Wayne, and Brandon Evans.

ABOUT BALD MAN FILMS

Founded by Cincinnati-born rocker, actor, and producer Kurt Deimer, Bald Man Films specializes in producing genre content. The company is the culmination of Deimer’s unconventional journey from the school of hard knocks to entrepreneur, rock musician, actor, and film producer.

ABOUT CONVOKE MEDIA

Convoke Media is a strategic investment and content company operating at the intersection of film, television, digital media, and institutional capital. Recent films include, The Optimist, Flyover, Scare BnB, Paul & Greg & Amelia, & Don’t Log Off. Founded by veteran media executive Todd Slater, the company focuses on the development, financing, and scaling of premium content with global commercial potential.



Hellbilly Hollow still. Photo: Bald Man Films/Convoke Media

Uwe Boll’s Citizen Vigilante (2026): Armie Hammer Stars in Gritty New Revenge Thriller

Armie Hammer in Citizen Vigilante. Photo: Axel Stock, used with permission.

New Movie Alert: Uwe Boll’s Controversial Thriller Citizen Vigilante Hits Streaming

The wait is over for indie thriller fans. A man takes justice into his own hands, hunting down criminals. His vigilante crusade makes him a social media star but puts him right in the crosshairs of the law.

Explosive, provocative, and inspired by real events, Citizen Vigilante is the latest high-intensity thriller from internationally recognized filmmaker Uwe Boll. Starring Armie Hammer and Costas Mandylor (SAW franchise), the film is officially available in North America on all major digital and streaming platforms courtesy of Quiver Distribution. (High Roads PR, 2026)

The Controversy Behind the Release

Citizen Vigilante has already sparked intense international debate. Director Uwe Boll publicly claimed the film was effectively blocked from release in Germany following heated disputes surrounding its classification by the country’s FSK ratings board. Because of this, the North American release has quickly become part of a broader conversation surrounding censorship, artistic freedom, and the film’s heavy themes of vigilantism, crime, and public outrage.

Heralded by Boll as “an action film inspired by real events, based on real cases and a commentary about injustice,” the story delivers a brutal, modern vigilante thriller. Produced by Event Film in association with Borvel Film, it blends large-scale action, gritty realism, and emotionally charged storytelling designed for fans of crime sagas, revenge thrillers, and politically charged cinema.

Movie Synopsis

The Story: Sanders (Armie Hammer) is a wealthy American businessman living in Zagreb who inherited a massive real estate empire from his late father. Intelligent, isolated, and emotionally scarred, Sanders transforms himself into a feared underground vigilante. His targets? Violent criminals, rapists, and corrupt judges who escaped meaningful punishment through the legal system.

As his brutal campaign gains traction online and across social media, Sanders becomes both a wanted criminal and an unlikely public hero. But not everyone sees him as a savior. Interpol Chief Henry (Costas Mandylor) believes Sanders represents a dangerous threat to society and launches an aggressive international pursuit to stop him before his influence spirals completely out of control.

Quick Facts & Where to Watch

DetailInformation
GenreAction / Thriller
Runtime1h 29min
DirectorUwe Boll
StarringArmie Hammer, Costas Mandylor
AvailabilityRent or Buy (As of June 19, 2026)

Where to Stream (Rent/Buy):

  • Amazon
  • Google Play Movies
  • Apple TV
  • Fandango at Home

About Director Uwe Boll

Known for his fiercely independent approach to filmmaking, Uwe Boll has directed more than 35 films and produced over 50 features throughout an international career spanning decades.

Boll has worked with major Hollywood stars—including Jason Statham, Ben Kingsley, J.K. Simmons, Christian Slater, Ray Liotta, Ron Perlman, Michelle Rodriguez, Burt Reynolds, and Dominic Purcell—while building a reputation for unapologetically intense films that blend action, controversy, and social commentary. His cult filmography includes POSTAL, the RAMPAGE trilogy, ATTACK ON DARFUR, ASSAULT ON WALL STREET, ALONE IN THE DARK, and IN THE NAME OF THE KING.

Boll has described his filmmaking philosophy as continuing to “explore the new possibilities of innovative technology,” while creating films designed to confront audiences with difficult conversations surrounding violence, politics, injustice, and power. Throughout his career, Boll has frequently sparked international debate for tackling controversial subject matter drawn from real-world anxieties, social unrest, and political division.


Photo: Axel Stock

Xie Miao and Joe Taslim Team Up for the Year’s Most Anticipated Action Film

The Furious will be released in theaters in May. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.

Why We Can’t Get Enough of the Rush: The Magic of Action Cinema

There’s a reason audiences flock to the theater for a high-octane thriller. Between the adrenaline, the clear stakes, and the visceral storytelling, action movies offer a perfect escape. We love watching high-risk worlds where courage and determination are tested in the most explosive ways possible.

The Hong Kong Influence

When it comes to elevating the genre, Hong Kong action movies are in a league of their own. They bring a signature blend of:

  • Stylized Choreography: Fight scenes that feel like a fluid, precise dance.
  • Intense Physicality: Sequences often performed by the actors themselves.
  • Emotional Depth: Themes of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice that make every punch and kick feel meaningful.

This fusion of artistry and intensity creates a cinematic experience that is as memorable as it is thrilling.


🎬 New Movie Spotlight: The Furious

If you’re looking for that perfect blend of artistry and intensity, mark your calendars. Directed by the legendary Kenji Tanigaki, The Furious is an English-language Hong Kong action powerhouse that recently took the Toronto International Film Festival by storm. (Cinematic Red PR, 2026)

The Plot

After the daughter of Wang Wei (Xie Miao) is kidnapped by a criminal network, he finds himself trapped in a web of corruption. With the police refusing to help, Wei goes on a solo rampage to get her back.

He finds an unlikely ally in Navin (Joe Taslim), a relentless journalist searching for his own missing wife. Together, the duo takes on a ruthless criminal underworld in an explosive martial arts showdown fueled by pure vengeance.

Essential Details

CategoryInformation
Release DateMay 29, 2026
GenreAction
RatingR (Strong bloody violence and language)
Runtime113 Minutes
DirectorKenji Tanigaki
StarringXie Miao, Joe Taslim, Yang Enyou, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga

Producers: Bill Kong, Shan Tam, Frank Hui

Writers: Mak Tin Shu, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan Sin, Frank Hui