My four points are for the beautiful actresses. Otherwise, the story is a silly one. Three strong women and two weak men are on a trek through the wilderness and one of the men somehow gets a large splinter stuck in his leg. Uh oh; they ignore a no trespassing sign and the predictable bad men arrive and make life difficult for the group. The final ten minutes are ridiculous. Avoid Hillwalkers.
22 Reviews
Dumb and Predictable Outweigh the Good
anthonyender26 April 2023
This is now, officially, my personal pet peeve about most movies: they have a lot going for them in a very narrow, familiar genre fashion, but then waste it by not making any effort to be original, or intelligent when the plot or action finally kicks in. As if it doesn't matter what they do after a certain point, as if anyone watching the film won't care if it's stops making sense or becomes so downright stereotypical and bland and DUMB that it's kind of an insult. This film starts fairly good (for such a well worn genre convention: city folks go into country and find danger), nothing exceptional by any stretch but the actors do alright with rather dull characters, the cinematography is amazing and the countryside is awesome. Pretty by the book (one character is "strong" and overcoming cancer so you might guess who's gonna survive) but I was interested. They even make a point of what amazing negotiators these folks are so I was expecting that might come into play when they run afoul of the local loonies. But no. It actually just gets forgotten and how they behave from their first meeting on is basically guaranteed to allow the stupid, predictable plot to unfold after that. Very quickly the best thing about the film becomes the interplay between the locals which is amusing in a believable fashion and, thank god, not played broadly for laughs! Their performances are also the best, and if only the script didn't let them down when it came to what happens this film might have been a real winner. They had everything they needed to make a successful genre entry except the ability (or willingness) to fix a mediocre script that falls apart in the last half. It's one thing to suggest the city folks are ill equipped to deal with survival at this level (see Deliverance) but this movie just has the characters become idiots. If you don't consider a directors job to include caring about the script, or character actions, you could say it's still handled well enough but all the good points the film earned in the beginning are wasted.
Better than some are making out
iamtherobotman22 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Is this the greatest film ever made?
No.
Is this the worst film ever made?
No.
This is actually a very good film considering the budget. It's paced well, the cinematography is decent, most of the acting is very good too.
Where this film is let down is with a mediocre script which lets it down on occasion.
The plot was decent enough, but as we've seen in far more expensive films, sometimes the decision making of the characters is lacking. I can't be overly critical of that aspect as a result.
One thing which did stick in my craw was when the main body of the party first encountered the 'farmers', they were instantly suspicious of them. I felt that was poorly handled, as considering their predicament, i believe a group wold be inclined to be naturally friendly towards people who could potentially get your injured friend to safety. What we saw instead was awkward silence, two groups staring at eachother like some 'Irish Standoff'. They were too suspicious for absolutely no reason. So i feel had they made that initial encounter friendlier and more natural, with things starting to become more obvious and clear cut once they were back at the farm, it would've been better for the film, overall.
As it was, this was an excellent effort, it would've been interesting to see what could've been done with a larger budget being well utilised to merely enhance what we got here.
No.
Is this the worst film ever made?
No.
This is actually a very good film considering the budget. It's paced well, the cinematography is decent, most of the acting is very good too.
Where this film is let down is with a mediocre script which lets it down on occasion.
The plot was decent enough, but as we've seen in far more expensive films, sometimes the decision making of the characters is lacking. I can't be overly critical of that aspect as a result.
One thing which did stick in my craw was when the main body of the party first encountered the 'farmers', they were instantly suspicious of them. I felt that was poorly handled, as considering their predicament, i believe a group wold be inclined to be naturally friendly towards people who could potentially get your injured friend to safety. What we saw instead was awkward silence, two groups staring at eachother like some 'Irish Standoff'. They were too suspicious for absolutely no reason. So i feel had they made that initial encounter friendlier and more natural, with things starting to become more obvious and clear cut once they were back at the farm, it would've been better for the film, overall.
As it was, this was an excellent effort, it would've been interesting to see what could've been done with a larger budget being well utilised to merely enhance what we got here.
Crushingly Boring and Derivative
jm-vincent30 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The real star of this flick is the lovely Irish countryside and the lilt of the voices. Beyond that, the typical city-folk encounter rural folk who would much rather be alone and are homicidal in enforcing that desire. Fantastically boring and predictable. Experienced horror fans will know the plot from the beginning and can easily guess who will live and who will die.
well.....
mcochrane-8740013 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
OBVIOUSLY these 5 people didn't watch American Werewolf in London, you know, STAY OUT OF THE MOORS!!
I'm no producer or director but some major goofs make this amateurish at best.
1) you don't die instantly from a gun shot to the gut. Even if you hit your liver, it takes a while to die.
2) in the scene where stevie buys it, you can see the squid pack under his T shirt.
3) then when he gets it again, they don't even bother repositioning it, he literally gets shot in the same spot again.
4) Other reviewers have mentioned "forced peril" where some reasonably intelligent people literally ignore the "warning signs" but we have to realize that people these days will ignore warnings about biking in Afghanistan and then become news stories when they are hacked to death by the Taliban.
5) Another reviewer stated the movie was "girl power rah rah rah" yeah but those same "heros" are the ones who got them into the mess to begin with.
6) BTW: another warning sign this strong and powerful woman ignored? She's looking through binoculars and sees someone wearing goggles, a skull bandana, a military helmet and holding a shot gun. Well, let's just carry on then shall we?
7) One positive: the actor who played Stevie did a great job playing a crazy lunatic......bravo!
I'm no producer or director but some major goofs make this amateurish at best.
1) you don't die instantly from a gun shot to the gut. Even if you hit your liver, it takes a while to die.
2) in the scene where stevie buys it, you can see the squid pack under his T shirt.
3) then when he gets it again, they don't even bother repositioning it, he literally gets shot in the same spot again.
4) Other reviewers have mentioned "forced peril" where some reasonably intelligent people literally ignore the "warning signs" but we have to realize that people these days will ignore warnings about biking in Afghanistan and then become news stories when they are hacked to death by the Taliban.
5) Another reviewer stated the movie was "girl power rah rah rah" yeah but those same "heros" are the ones who got them into the mess to begin with.
6) BTW: another warning sign this strong and powerful woman ignored? She's looking through binoculars and sees someone wearing goggles, a skull bandana, a military helmet and holding a shot gun. Well, let's just carry on then shall we?
7) One positive: the actor who played Stevie did a great job playing a crazy lunatic......bravo!
Cheap TV movie
shadowofhero-465195 April 2022
A good watch
nikos-683075 November 2023
A good film to watch. I would ignore the negative reviews but then everyone has different tastes. Yes, things go wrong and it's great to see a movie where you would do things differently if you were one of the characters.
It is a good watch, it is not going to be your favourite movie ever but it's a GOOD watch. I like it the style and characters. Some dark humour too and it really is like a film where you will go "oh no, they shouldn't have done that". Also for those go walking and hiking, it's great to remind of you what NOT to do. Overall, it really is a good film and worth a watch for sure.
It is a good watch, it is not going to be your favourite movie ever but it's a GOOD watch. I like it the style and characters. Some dark humour too and it really is like a film where you will go "oh no, they shouldn't have done that". Also for those go walking and hiking, it's great to remind of you what NOT to do. Overall, it really is a good film and worth a watch for sure.
Excellent
myrtlemtn-018438 July 2022
Nicely done.
shannon-bill16 March 2022
Yeah yeah girl power (or is it grrrrrl power?) and all that ~rah rah.
Political correctness and all pushed to one side (preferably off a tall cliff) this was a well-made, well-acted and beautifully lensed flick!
The direction was perfect and so was the pacing. The characters were well-drawn and a couple of them were very 3 dimensional.
The ending was cathartic and the lead-up was somewhat emotional.
It's a well-trod path this type of movie but like the giallo or other formulaic genres of movie, if you get the tropes right and you pay attention to detail and direct and act with care you can create a movie that will last.
Well done.
Political correctness and all pushed to one side (preferably off a tall cliff) this was a well-made, well-acted and beautifully lensed flick!
The direction was perfect and so was the pacing. The characters were well-drawn and a couple of them were very 3 dimensional.
The ending was cathartic and the lead-up was somewhat emotional.
It's a well-trod path this type of movie but like the giallo or other formulaic genres of movie, if you get the tropes right and you pay attention to detail and direct and act with care you can create a movie that will last.
Well done.
Wokeism is infecting the world, including this movie, but can look past it.
twocastles11 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I don't mind a female survivor movie when done well, but this, as many others have pointed out was predictable plot with shoddy development.
Best part of the movie was the landscape and cinematography. Makes you want to travel there
Problem. Where was 'there'? An average American viewer is left trying to guess based on accent or perhaps some random knowledge of colloquialisms. You sort of had to guess Ireland, Scotland or Wales. If it was mentioned in the movie, I missed it. Even still, where in Ireland?
Same trope of City people smart. Country folk are angry murderous in-breeders that live in filth and are dumb. I bet you find a lot more houses of squalor in cities than in the country.
Character development. Really wasn't any. You quickly find out that the alpha woman has cancer, so she undoubtedly will be the surviving heroine. On one hand you can discount it as "Rah! Rah! Girl power!" since the two male protagonists are weak and submissive. However, as one reviewer pointed out, it was the women's decisions that led to their downfall at every turn. One exception was the character, Lisa. She was the only one with any brains whatsoever.
Everyone points to Steevy being the best character. The actor did a fair job with it. It's easy to overlook a lot of the bad acting due to the Irish accents, but the Steevy character, while most interesting was also overacted. With training, that actor could become an international film star though. He certainly had the right look. But the Lisa girl to me was the most underused. She was the guide. The experienced one. The smart, logical one. And the real hero. Her character doesn't come across as PC BS. She simply is the person with knowledge and experience...the guide. I have no problem with her heroics or decisions. Had they focused more on her in some way, it could have turned this film upside right.
To be honest, the two old antagonists were convincing actors...though their dialogue enabled probably anyone with a "weathered" look to do so.
The pace was too slow. Not a lot of urgency for the situation they were in. Loses the "Thriller" label there.
And what was the motivation of the antagonists? Is it a high crime to kill deer in Ireland? I don't know. It's never explained. Poaching isn't really a crime worthy of kidnapping, torturing and murdering outsiders. Was there a marijuana field somewhere that I didn't see? They just hate outsiders trespassing and don't want to pay a fine so they commit unspeakable crimes? I guess it's because they're ignorant country folk?
They mention destroying a 5G tower. Really? The telecom company wouldn't figure that out right quick and investigate? "We don't want outsiders near our place, so lets commit petty crimes to draw people to our place." The location was remote enought to be plausible to not have cell service, so why even introduce that? Silly.
Best part of the movie was the landscape and cinematography. Makes you want to travel there
Problem. Where was 'there'? An average American viewer is left trying to guess based on accent or perhaps some random knowledge of colloquialisms. You sort of had to guess Ireland, Scotland or Wales. If it was mentioned in the movie, I missed it. Even still, where in Ireland?
Same trope of City people smart. Country folk are angry murderous in-breeders that live in filth and are dumb. I bet you find a lot more houses of squalor in cities than in the country.
Character development. Really wasn't any. You quickly find out that the alpha woman has cancer, so she undoubtedly will be the surviving heroine. On one hand you can discount it as "Rah! Rah! Girl power!" since the two male protagonists are weak and submissive. However, as one reviewer pointed out, it was the women's decisions that led to their downfall at every turn. One exception was the character, Lisa. She was the only one with any brains whatsoever.
Everyone points to Steevy being the best character. The actor did a fair job with it. It's easy to overlook a lot of the bad acting due to the Irish accents, but the Steevy character, while most interesting was also overacted. With training, that actor could become an international film star though. He certainly had the right look. But the Lisa girl to me was the most underused. She was the guide. The experienced one. The smart, logical one. And the real hero. Her character doesn't come across as PC BS. She simply is the person with knowledge and experience...the guide. I have no problem with her heroics or decisions. Had they focused more on her in some way, it could have turned this film upside right.
To be honest, the two old antagonists were convincing actors...though their dialogue enabled probably anyone with a "weathered" look to do so.
The pace was too slow. Not a lot of urgency for the situation they were in. Loses the "Thriller" label there.
And what was the motivation of the antagonists? Is it a high crime to kill deer in Ireland? I don't know. It's never explained. Poaching isn't really a crime worthy of kidnapping, torturing and murdering outsiders. Was there a marijuana field somewhere that I didn't see? They just hate outsiders trespassing and don't want to pay a fine so they commit unspeakable crimes? I guess it's because they're ignorant country folk?
They mention destroying a 5G tower. Really? The telecom company wouldn't figure that out right quick and investigate? "We don't want outsiders near our place, so lets commit petty crimes to draw people to our place." The location was remote enought to be plausible to not have cell service, so why even introduce that? Silly.
Nice To Meet You, Daddy!
wandernn1-81-68327414 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Alright so I guess this is some hillbilly squeal type movie in the spirit of Deliverance. However it has none of the appeal of that movie really. Some jerks go 'hiking for charity' in an off road setting, passing numerous signs that say 'DO NOT TRESPASS OR YOU WILL BE SHOT' AND then they are surprised when they run into a trio of hillbillies who want to shoot them.
Okay so that in itself is dumb as hell. I found myself cheering on the bad guys in this one even moreso than usual. Filmed in Ireland. At least the landscape was nice.
Key themes: Trespassing. Violence. Stupidity.
Not really worth the time.
3/10.
Okay so that in itself is dumb as hell. I found myself cheering on the bad guys in this one even moreso than usual. Filmed in Ireland. At least the landscape was nice.
Key themes: Trespassing. Violence. Stupidity.
Not really worth the time.
3/10.
Not a horror movie
th-9107115 November 2022
This was not a horror movie to me. It wasn't really good. The actors/acting wasn't great. The movie had no suspense or thrills to it. You could really figure out what was about to happen in every scene.
There were actually done funny parts in the movie. And I never found out who the girl was at the start of the movie. Could be because I lost interest in the movie and started doing other things.
I wouldn't watch it again. It wasn't a total waste to me at least I was able to read and reply to some emails while this movie was on.
I read that some have compared this to Wrong Turn. It's not the same.
There were actually done funny parts in the movie. And I never found out who the girl was at the start of the movie. Could be because I lost interest in the movie and started doing other things.
I wouldn't watch it again. It wasn't a total waste to me at least I was able to read and reply to some emails while this movie was on.
I read that some have compared this to Wrong Turn. It's not the same.
STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP!
higginsleaf-1549426 April 2023
Hillwalkers is mind-bendingly terrible. I won't describe the plot because there is no plot. If you want something inherently bad, watch this absolute mess. It does not even qualify as "so bad its good". This is genuinely one of the worst things I have ever seen.
Do yourself a favour, avoid this because you do not deserve to have this much of your life wasted.
It's not just bad, it's eye-wateringly awful. There are scenes in this that Tommy Wiseau, who made 'the Room', would have said, ''I'm sorry, that's actually not up to snuff - we're going to have to take that out.' This is not cinema; this is something so staggeringly self-regarding."
FYI, 'the Room' is widely considered to be one of the worst films of all time. Hillwalkers makes 'the Room' look like 'Citizen Kane'!.
There was clearly no direction given to the actors, as the performances... well, the very bad performances, are in a stratosphere of their own. Hillwalkers is not even worth seeing for a laugh.
The director should probably find a new hobby, gardening perhaps? But if the same lack of skill is applied to that endevour, God help us all...
Do yourself a favour, avoid this because you do not deserve to have this much of your life wasted.
It's not just bad, it's eye-wateringly awful. There are scenes in this that Tommy Wiseau, who made 'the Room', would have said, ''I'm sorry, that's actually not up to snuff - we're going to have to take that out.' This is not cinema; this is something so staggeringly self-regarding."
FYI, 'the Room' is widely considered to be one of the worst films of all time. Hillwalkers makes 'the Room' look like 'Citizen Kane'!.
There was clearly no direction given to the actors, as the performances... well, the very bad performances, are in a stratosphere of their own. Hillwalkers is not even worth seeing for a laugh.
The director should probably find a new hobby, gardening perhaps? But if the same lack of skill is applied to that endevour, God help us all...
Don't waste your time...
logicproreviews20 April 2023
Unbelievable. This doesn't even qualify as the worst B-movie fodder you'd find in a bargain basket. How this garbage had a 30 thousand Euro budget is highly questionable.
Dear budding filmmakers, this is how you don't make a feature. Case in point: lousy story, wooden characters, amateurish dialogue. Where was the script supervisor on this? Maybe they called in sick for the entire shoot. Who knows.
Let's not forget the farmers who are suddenly psychotic murderers out of nowhere? Trespass on our land and we'll kill you. Eh, ok. Wish I has such genius ideas.
And what was with the deer heads all of a sudden? Oh, so scary.. deer heads. And the opening shot is cringe. Guy in a mask with antlers. Terrifying stuff. Wish I had such an imagination, really.
Was this actually directed by someone? Or by some people who haven't got a clue about what they are doing?
This is a generic stink bomb, don't waste your time. Doesn't look like it had a general cinema release. No wonder. That 30 thousand should have been put to better use, say a donation to the homeless.
Dear budding filmmakers, this is how you don't make a feature. Case in point: lousy story, wooden characters, amateurish dialogue. Where was the script supervisor on this? Maybe they called in sick for the entire shoot. Who knows.
Let's not forget the farmers who are suddenly psychotic murderers out of nowhere? Trespass on our land and we'll kill you. Eh, ok. Wish I has such genius ideas.
And what was with the deer heads all of a sudden? Oh, so scary.. deer heads. And the opening shot is cringe. Guy in a mask with antlers. Terrifying stuff. Wish I had such an imagination, really.
Was this actually directed by someone? Or by some people who haven't got a clue about what they are doing?
This is a generic stink bomb, don't waste your time. Doesn't look like it had a general cinema release. No wonder. That 30 thousand should have been put to better use, say a donation to the homeless.
Horrible actors and make no sense at all
mildredzetino5 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This movie doesn't make any sense. So unrealistic. Horrible acting . The researcher tall women made the movie so stupid .. waist of my time. I am strongly do not recommend this movie . Who in the world goes hiking in the rain in the middle that not where and get lost after a fe minutes walking are you kidding me . Please don't watch it . Just a waist of my money .if the actors would try a bit I bet the movie would have been a bit better but with the combination of acting from part of the actors made the movie so bad . Horrrrible horrible horrible horrible and horrible in my book and sooooo stupid.
Dark bogs and hills, feral farmers.
Pairic1 October 2023
Hillwalkers: An upland bog Irish horror film. Five hikers take to the hills as a team-building exercise, they are an annoying bunch, they set off in bad weather, only one of them is really familiar with the area. We have other reasons for knowing that this won't end well, in the opening scenes we see a woman hunted and shot by a man wearing a skull mask. The happy hikers stumble on, one them suffering a serious injury. Unable to proceed through waterlogged land they proceed up a hill to find ominous no trespassing signs with deer skulls attached. One goes back to the their car while the others go through woods, finding evidence of illegal hunting and run foul of local hillbilly farmers, Things pivot into an experience of existential terror for the hikers as they are tortured by the feral farmers. From casual remarks by the hillbillies we learn that the hikers aren't their first "guests". A life and death struggle ensues. This really is an Irish Deliverance with chases across the moorlands, avoiding farmers with sniper rifles. Close quarter fighting with anything which comes to hand. The bogs, hills and forests are gloomy and foggy, adding to the atmosphere of dread. The acting isn't always great on the part of the hikers but Miriam (Aoife Honohan). Susan (Áine Flanagan) and Lisa (Elise Brennan) eventually show their mettle (and act better) as they fight back against their captors. The feral farmers are fiendishly fearsome, leader Neil (Gerry O'Brien.) oozing evil and Steevy (Mark Agar) as his psychotic nephew. Writer/Director has done wonders making this film on a budget of e30,000, 7/10.
Straight heat 🙏🔥🔥🔥
zqsrbj18 June 2022
For the budget given, the movie was fantastic. The acting was incredible and the scenes were suspenseful and had me on the edge of my seat. The costumes were grungy and the story was excellent. Keep up the great work. Mark Agar is my inspiration, he got me through tough times. I wish he could come to my 11th birthday party.
Poorly written
odogjenkins-6499329 November 2023
I have no issue with small budget films and in some ways the director did a good job. I certainly felt that the landscape and decent cinematography were going to make for an atmospheric and tense thriller. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case here due to poor writing which failed to create sympathetic characters or deliver any tension whatsoever.
As a previous reviewer pointed out, the real problem I had was during the hikers' initial encounter with the farmers. I am unsure why there was an attempt to create unrealistic and unwarranted tension here because it would just never play out like that. And, why does the supposedly strong and assertive woman let the feeble chap lead the negotiations when she has said she will do exactly the opposite just minutes before? A woeful scene that made no sense.
Sadly, none of the characters are even remotely believable and are, largely, so dislikable, that you don't route for any of them. Of course, suspension of disbelief is often required for this type of film, but there are just so many gaping plot holes and nonsensical elements that it was too much for me to engage with on any level.
As a previous reviewer pointed out, the real problem I had was during the hikers' initial encounter with the farmers. I am unsure why there was an attempt to create unrealistic and unwarranted tension here because it would just never play out like that. And, why does the supposedly strong and assertive woman let the feeble chap lead the negotiations when she has said she will do exactly the opposite just minutes before? A woeful scene that made no sense.
Sadly, none of the characters are even remotely believable and are, largely, so dislikable, that you don't route for any of them. Of course, suspension of disbelief is often required for this type of film, but there are just so many gaping plot holes and nonsensical elements that it was too much for me to engage with on any level.
Not good
jedr-0065527 October 2023
Some might say if you give 100,000,000 monkeys (I don't know the exact amount) a load of typewriters they would eventually write
Shakespeare.
Well, this film, yeah, I think they put one monkey in a wheelie bin, shook it around a lot and pushed it down a big hill, then gave him/her/they a typewriter....and.....well...then it wrote and filmed this movie!!!
I knew from the onset this was not going to fair well. I thought at first it was the filming but then quickly realised it was also the script and acting that were to doom this film. Clearly there was no budget for effects nor post production.
Not sure how it can be classed as a horror either? I've experienced more horror and suspense when I opened my GCSE results letter.
Sorry, but awful. Points for the location and a few stupidly funny lines.
Well, this film, yeah, I think they put one monkey in a wheelie bin, shook it around a lot and pushed it down a big hill, then gave him/her/they a typewriter....and.....well...then it wrote and filmed this movie!!!
I knew from the onset this was not going to fair well. I thought at first it was the filming but then quickly realised it was also the script and acting that were to doom this film. Clearly there was no budget for effects nor post production.
Not sure how it can be classed as a horror either? I've experienced more horror and suspense when I opened my GCSE results letter.
Sorry, but awful. Points for the location and a few stupidly funny lines.
A pleasant surprise
ejmmurphy-411501 October 2023
I love these type of movies . Just a well shot slasher with a modest budget (30,000) . I'd be keen to see what the artists and director could do with larger funding . Casting was decent, but with a stand out performance from Mark Agar. Out of all the crazy killer farmers , he was the one who freaked me out the most . You know a villain is done well, when you just want hind dead as soon as you seen him on screen. Plus as an Irish man myself it's great to see more films being produced on home soil . Some of the scenery in the film is breath taking, but it also set the scene to give a gritty and dirty feel to it .
Hillwalkers
scott-okeeffe14 November 2022
Across the haunting desolate trails and woods of Ireland, Hillwalkers works really well as a slasher film, with fun kills and gorgeous photography, and a carefully unravelling plot. Authentic character motives and a slow brewing bit of turmoil. Refreshing as always to see some daylight horror, Tom Cosgrove has crafted a really enjoyable watch, with solid performances and twists. The haunting gods eye shots sprawling across the sky, creating the sense that our characters are truly in the middle of nowhere, while also managing to maintain a sense of beauty for the Irish wilderness. Hillwalkers is explorative, violent and at times is very funny.
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