Shudder has acquired streaming rights to Hellbender from directors Toby Poser, Zelda Adams, and John Adams (The Deeper You Dig), which World Premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival last year. It’s now coming home to Shudder on February 24, 2022.
The film follows 16-year-old Izzy (Zelda Adams), who leads an isolated life on a lonely mountaintop due to a rare sickness. Questioning her illness and starving for companionship, Izzy sneaks down the mountain where she befriends the brazen older girl Amber (Lulu Adams). Just as Izzy finally begins to feel happiness, a drinking game involving a live worm unleashes a new kind of insatiable hunger within her. Confused and scared, Izzy appeals to her mother for answers but the family’s secrets are as old and dark as the bloodline from which they’re born.
Joe Lipsett wrote in his 4-star review for Bloody Disgusting, “Hellbender doesn’t break the mold, but it is an accessible, enticing film that should gain the Adams Family a legion of new fans. Keep an eye on this DIY family; they’re one to watch.”
Check out the insane trailer below, which IGN shared this afternoon.