Prime Time: Here Comes Hell (2019)

I have been keen to see Here Comes Hell since I first saw the trailer for it. The central conceit is so delicious that I suspected it would work well for me. And my suspicion was correct. It's a lot of fun, and a great directorial debut from Jack McHenry, who also co-wrote the script with Alice Sidgwick. And, at about 80 minutes, it doesn't outstay its welcome.

The bulk of the action takes place at a 1930s dinner party in a grand English home. It's a mix of flowing wine (although not for Elizabeth, who doesn't drink), crisp posh accents, and simmering tensions between the guests. Christine is especially quick with a barbed comment or two. And then it's time to make an event of the spooky history of the house, utilising the skillset of Madame Bellrose. Which is when everything goes bloody and mad.

With everything displayed in gorgeous black and white throughout, the most fun here comes from the juxtaposition of the insanity and bloodshed crashing right into the centre of a very prim and proper social gathering. Once the supernatural side of things comes to the fore, it's a wild ride where anything goes. Heads are destroyed by gunshots, although that doesn't necessarily stop the victim from moving around, people are possessed by evil spirits, and there's even a healthy dose of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland in the mix.

Although the cast are all enjoyable enough, the focus is on the female leads. Jessica Webber is good as Elizabeth, a woman who feels as if she changes more than anyone else in between the madness starting and the end credits. Margaret Clunie is a highlight as Christine, as jaded as they come, and Maureen Bennett is wonderful as Madame Bellrose. Tom Bailey, Jasper Britton, Timothy Renouf, and Charlie Robb play the main interchangeable men, and there's a nice little cameo from Robert Llewellyn.

Although McHenry directs with aplomb, and there aren't many instances that feel as if the shots were dictated by the budget, although I am sure that happened, it's a shame that he and Sidgwick couldn't take one more run at the script. It gets the tone mostly right, but would have been greatly improved by a sharper edge to a lot of the dialogue. Perhaps some more overtly comedic lines here and there, or perhaps just some more character details and a better building of ominous atmosphere.

Despite not quite hitting the nail on the head, Here Comes Hell is a smart and fun ride that I cannot imagine many horror movie fans being disappointed by. As long as you are willing to enjoy the first half of the film, the second half rewards with plenty of impressive gore and nastiness (even if there's no red stuff on display, due to the black and white cinematography). Recommended, but with reservations for those who may find the non-horror moments too irritating.

6/10

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