HUNTER’S MOON aka THE ORCHARD (2019) Reviews and overview

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Hunter’s Moon aka The Orchard is a 2019 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Michael Caissie (Origin Unknown; co-writer of Hangman, 2017).

The Cheyenne Enterprises production stars Thomas Jane, Jay Mohr, Sean Patrick Flanery, Henry Rollins, Katrina Bowden and Amanda Wyss.

Plot:

A sheriff (Thomas Jane) is called to an orchard where three teenage sisters have been attacked by a band of young delinquents. Arriving on the scene, the lawman soon realises a malevolent force lurks within the grounds that will drag everyone into a fight for their lives…

Reviews:

“I can see how an actor could look at the plot on paper and picture a talented team pulling off the story’s swerves using solid cinematic execution. It’s just so sloppily scripted that supposed secrets sit out in the open getting sunburned. Boring staging isn’t even close to clever enough to make up for empty intrigue either.” Culture Crypt

“The atmosphere is there, it uses all practical FX and has a creepy enough (if brief) encounter with a man-in-a-monster-suit which is always fun. It’s nothing spectacular or new to the werewolf scene but if you’re a fan you may be interested to give this one a go.” HorrorScreams VideoVault

“A lame serial killer, a gruff sheriff, and some of the most cheaply costumed werewolves walk into a screenplay that had me howling for it to be over.” Irish Film Critic

“I liked the originality (and novelty) of Hunter’s Moon, I was blindsided by most of it, and I liked the sort of fragmented, Twilight Zone residue. When “Moon’s” ending hits you, you realize that it’s a better film than it really is.” Views on Film

“The last half of Hunter’s Moon tries to be surprising and unleashes a flurry of plot twists. Two of which revolve around the local sheriff (Thomas Jane, The Punisher, The Mist), and both of which are stupid. But nothing compares to the absolutely unbelievable revelation of what’s behind everything. If writer/director Michael Caissie had at least filmed it with a bit of flair Hunter’s Moon might have at least been enjoyable silly. But there’s no flair or energy to be found.” Voices from the Balcony

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Cast and characters:

Thomas Jane … Sheriff – The Predator; 1922; The Veil; Before I Wake; Grizzly; The Mist; The Tripper
Jay Mohr … Thomas Delaney – American Nightmares; Tales from the Hood 2
Sean Patrick Flanery … Martin Ellsbury
Henry Rollins … Vinnie – He Never Died; Suck; Wrong Turn 2: Dead End
Katrina Bowden … Juliet Delaney – Scary Movie 5; Nurse 3D; Piranha 3DD; Hold Your Breath; Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Amanda Wyss … Bernice Delaney – Big Legend; Triggered; The Hatred; The Sandman; The Id; A Nightmare on Elm Street
Emmalee Parker … Wendy Delaney
India Ennenga … Lisa Delaney
Lexi Atkins … Stacy Phillips
Will Carlson … Billy Bloomfield
Spencer Daniels … Lenny Bloomfield
Daniel R. Hill … Daryl Bloomfield
Anthony J. Sharpe … Henry
Fredrik Ejemo … Eddie
Simone McAlonen … Mindy, Police Dispatcher

Filming locations:

Santa Clarita, California

NB. This film should not be confused with the 2019 werewolf-themed mystery movie of the same name.

MOVIES and MANIA rating:

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