Review: ‘Beyond Hell’ swings big with some wicked makeup effects

Indie filmmakers who take big and bold swings are far more exciting than those who don’t, even if concepts and story beats go way beyond what a shoe-string budget will allow. Many of my favorite indie films, such as The 6th Friend and 1st Summoning, know what they are but utilize a small cast and crew to great effect. Beyond Hell, written and directed by Alan Murray (Exposed), fumbles with photo shopped elements, such as a swirling worm hole between this reality and the dark underworld, but it’s grisly imagery gives you plenty to scarf down.

When Seth (Sean Rey) returns home from his South American trip, which resulted in the sacrificial murder of his girlfriend, he brings back an ancient, psychedelic drug. His circle of friends gather for a night of debauchery, and almost immediately, something is just a little off. Seth’s weirdly aggressive behavior to get his friends to consume the substance should have been a red flag, but of course, we wouldn’t have a movie.

Maryssa (Kearsten Johansson) shows reservations about partaking but eventually gives in to peer pressure ⏤ and goodness, she should have stood her ground. She begins hallucinating, as her version of reality blurs with some twisted Upside Down, and wanders off throughout the house. As we learn later on, the drug has opened some sort of portal to Hell, and one of its principal demons named Belial has some business to attend to, seemingly possessing Maryssa’s body to do his biding. That doesn’t exactly make sense, as Seth set this entire apocalyptic plan in motion.

The film toys with dream-like sequences, and A Nightmare on Elm Street‘s fingerprints are all over this ⏤for better or worse. Maryssa, who is even institutionalized for killing Seth, seems to take up an Alice from Elm Street 4 mantel, switching out her usual bland attire for something more badass (think leather jacket) in the third act. Belial slowly chips away at the cast, as they’re picked off one-by-one, morphing into your standard demonic affair.

Look, Beyond Hell is absolutely rough around the edges, and the cast displays very little, if any, chemistry together. Who really shines here is Gavin R. Downes as the depraved, maniacal Belial, who drops some one-liners worthy of Freddy Krueger. And the makeup effects alone are enough to serve you up some delicious nightmare fuel. Among the cast, Natalie Jane, as the resident snarky popular girl Brooke, showcases great promise, often tapping into teary emotion that feels out of place (but totally refreshing).

I can only imagine how a bigger budget could have vastly improved Beyond Hell‘s interesting enough premise. The film is out now for digital purchase.

Follow B-Sides & Badlands on our socials: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram