Wickedly Silly Hellbenders Trailer Features Booze, Evil Demons And Flaming Genitalia

If I had a nickel for every trailer I’ve seen that featured a flaming vagina with teeth, I could put that singular nickel in the bank. Whatever I was originally expecting from the above Hellbenders trailer (courtesy of Dread Central), it was all immediately extinguished once Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name of” started blasting in the background. I’ve watched it three times now and still don’t know how to react.

A horror comedy from J.T. Petty (The Burrowers), who adapted the material from his own graphic novel, Hellbenders tells the story of the Augustine Interfaith Order of Hellbound Saints, a group of foul-mouthed, demon-exorcising Brooklyn ministers that meet their match when one of them gets possessed, and the entire world is in danger. But they don’t just throw holy water and wave crosses around; these ministers drag demons down to Hell, and must live awful lives in order to keep their souls just short of damnation. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll will save lives, people!

Admittedly, I was more blown away by the set design and overall aesthetic of the film rather than anything that was actually amusing. Dan Fogler (Take Me Home Tonight) is never going to do it for me, and he looks exactly like Dan Fogler. Clancy Brown (John Dies at the End), Clifton Collins Jr. (Parker), Andre Reyo (The Wire), Macon Blair and Robyn Rikoon, on the other hand, look like they’re going to bring equal amounts of insanity to what already looks like a screw-loose tale.

The film was shot entirely in digital 3D, and the trailer gives a good impression of just how well that could work, what with all the CGI fires and demon spirits, not to mention all the weapons being used. Maybe I’m just yearning for the days of anarchic horror movies that don’t give a shit, but with better 3D. I’m still not convinced this film will be any good, but I now know that nobody can say it didn’t attempt something different, even if it wears its influences on its booze-soaked sleeves.

Lionsgate just acquired the rights to the film, which was a 2012 Toronto International Film Festival entry, but no VOD or theatrical release dates have been set yet. Check out the sacrilegiously awesome poster for the film below.

”poster”

Nick Venable
Assistant Managing Editor

Nick is a Cajun Country native and an Assistant Managing Editor with a focus on TV and features. His humble origin story with CinemaBlend began all the way back in the pre-streaming era, circa 2009, as a freelancing DVD reviewer and TV recapper.  Nick leapfrogged over to the small screen to cover more and more television news and interviews, eventually taking over the section for the current era and covering topics like Yellowstone, The Walking Dead and horror. Born in Louisiana and currently living in Texas — Who Dat Nation over America’s Team all day, all night — Nick spent several years in the hospitality industry, and also worked as a 911 operator. If you ever happened to hear his music or read his comics/short stories, you have his sympathy.