Writer: Paul Logan (Screenplay)
Starring: Paul Logan, Bill Moseley, Vernon Wells, Costas Mandylor, Tiffany Brouwer, Sydney Sweeney, John Omohundro, Thomas Ochoa, Matthew Willig
Plot: The film follows John Crenshaw as he accompanies his girlfriend and her students on a weekend nature-photography expedition deep into the woods. What should be an educational and fun-filled weekend turns into horror as the group is besieged by an unspeakable evil – a horde of hideously disfigured, mutated humans with an insatiable taste for blood. As things go from bad to worse, Crenshaw becomes their only hope if they are going to get out alive.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: 80’s Throwback Action Horror
Story: The Horde starts by giving us the insight to just how many mutant humans are in Cylus Atkinson (Mandylor) horde. We move to meet teacher Selina Duboix (Brouwer) who is taking her student into the woods for a photography camping trip and brings her former navy seal boyfriend John Crenshaw (Logan).
Into the woods our group goes and it isn’t long before they start getting picked off by the Horde. It is up to John to save the ones taken from the cannibalistic tribe who use the men for food and the women for breeding.
The Horde gives us an action horror that takes the classic 80’s action film where one man has to take down a large number of enemies to save the survivors. There isn’t too much to the overall story it is very easy to follow which is all it needs to be. This is good to see because too often we have similar style films that overcomplicate what needs to be just a simple story. the film makes Paul Logan look like a genuine action star for the future in what can make a new action man for years to come.
Actor Review
Paul Logan: John Crenshaw is the former Navy Seal that is struggling with finding a way to propose to his girlfriend Selina when he agrees to go on the college camping trip. After the group gets attacked he uses all of his skills to take out the countless enemies. Paul is great in this role that through nearly every scene reminded me of the one-man army action films Jean Claude Van Damme or Chuck Norris.
Bill Moseley: Jacob Sutter is the local diner owner that keeps his nose clean when it comes to outsiders while keeps the town’s dirty little secret. Bill is one of the big names in horror that is used only in the horror side of this story which is only a supporting role.
Vernon Wells: Earl is the cook for the men who is happy to cut up the victims before cooking and eating them. He comes off like he is enjoying this more than he should which adds to the creepiness of the character. Vernon is solid in this supporting role where we see a bad guy in his own way.
Costas Mandylor: Cylus Atkinson is the leader of the horde of mutant cannibals as we learn that he is in fact a criminal planning his grand escape using the mutants to get everything he needs. Costas is very menacing in this villainous role.
Support Cast: The Horde has a supporting cast which includes the students who for the most part are just disposable as well as the mutants who while in great numbers are just there for John to kill.
Director Review: Jared Cohn – Jared gives us a nice mix of what is feels like an 80s action flick with the lone fighter taking on seemingly endless enemies but throws in all the horror of a torture heavy horror.
Action: The Horde has good action where Paul Logan gets to show off his action star potential.
Horror: The Horde has horror side to the story where we see gore being used to torture our characters.
Settings: The Horde keeps everything in the middle of the woods giving our character nowhere to run.
Special Effects: The Horde has strong effects when it comes to the body horror going on in the film.
Suggestion: The Horde is one to give a go, it will have plenty of throwback feeling throughout. (Give it Ago)
Best Part: Paul Logan impresses.
Worst Part: Generic students.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 27 Minutes
Overall: Action horror that is a true throwback action film.
Rating