REVIEW | The Hangman
In The Hangman, director Bruce Wemple takes us on a camping trip to hell right into the heart of Appalachia, where the picturesque landscapes hide dark and deadly secrets. What starts as a heartfelt attempt by Leon (LeJon Woods), a middle-aged door-to-door salesman, to mend his troubled relationship with his teenage son quickly devolves into a nightmarish battle against a sinister local cult and the demonic entity they have summoned: The Hangman.
Wemple, known for his work on Island Escape, First Contact, and The Tomorrow Job, teams up with co-writer and star LeJon Woods to create a film that is as chaotic as it is entertaining. With Woods leading the cast alongside Lindsey Dresbach and Vincent Conroy, The Hangman embraces its limitations and delivers a horror experience that is both cluttered and fun.
Right from the start, The Hangman defies the norms of its genre. It skillfully weaves together the threads of a slasher film, a demonic possession narrative, and a backwoods thriller, all while keeping the viewer on their toes. The plot may be packed, but this fusion of horror tropes somehow enhances the film’s appeal. It’s the kind of movie that revels in its eccentricity and invites the audience to do the same.
The film acknowledges its imperfections and enthusiastically embraces its idiosyncrasies.
LeJon Woods is the heart of this horror oddity. His portrayal of Leon, a flawed but trying-his-best father, is magnetic and sincere. Woods’ performance grounds the film, making Leon a character you cheer for despite the increasingly strange and gory circumstances. There’s an authentic depth in his performance that resonates on screen. When Leon’s son goes missing, Woods’ determination to find him and the extremes he goes to save him become the film’s emotional center.
The Hangman’s strength lies in its self-awareness. The film acknowledges its imperfections and enthusiastically embraces its idiosyncrasies. This self-awareness and willingness to revel in its own absurdity earn the film significant admiration. It’s a quality often absent in many horror films that take themselves too seriously.
The film’s blend of horror elements and willingness to get bloody and weird make it a compelling watch. It may not be the scariest film, but it’s undeniably entertaining. The mix of suspense, gore, and dark humor ensures that viewers will have difficulty looking away.
The Hangman is worth a watch for horror fans who appreciate a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a 6/10 for its entertaining blend of horror tropes, charismatic lead performance, and self-aware charm. While it may not break new ground, it delivers a fun and bloody prance through the woods that’ll win you over by the credits.
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