The Overlook: Carnage Park

(imdb.com)

Violence and horror go hand in hand. When done well, things like gore and extreme injuries can become compelling additions to a story. If done poorly, these aspects can often come off as cheap or grotesque in the worst ways possible. In many cases, these films entice viewers with twisted points of views and retro style to enhance the experience. Movies like The House of the Devil, have found fondness balancing time-period stylizations and grindhouse gore. The IFC Midnight-distributed, 70s-inspired Carnage Park capitalizes on these elements.

Following a bank robbery and kidnap escape gone wrong, Carnage Park follows two criminals and the woman they abduct as they encounter more than they bargained for when they accidentally drive through a crazed sniper's land. The film plays out with the woman and her captors attempting to escape the fenced in property as they're being stalked. Carnage Park stars a particularly amazing Ashley Bell (The Last Exorcism) as the uppity and confident Vivian, James Hebert (Recovery) and Michael Villar (Visions) as the two robbers and Pat Healy (The Innkeepers) as Wyatt Moss, the sniper.

The film does have moments of displeasure. Carnage Park features plenty of dismembered body parts, sometimes too many twists and a strange final act. While all of this is forgivable given it's less than lengthy runtime, the taut Carnage Park may be too much for certain viewers. The faint of heart, the weak of stomach and those looking for something strictly horror based should look elsewhere, because this is a film that is attempting to stand alone.

Carnage Park is intensive and gory. It's a stark film inflected with the plenty of 70s costuming and atmosphere. Similar to a grindhouse film, there is a certain brutality present throughout the movie, but it never exceeds to the point of distaste. Sure, there are moments, - like when an unsuspecting Vivian comes across other victims - but Carnage Park has an innate ability to keep the focus on the short, but fiery story, rather than the trauma. As noted Ashley Bell is fantastic in her role; continuously becoming more unhinged as her sense of privilege is tested.

Carnage Park is a really particular film meant for a really particular audience, but for people who are willing and able, it's sure to be an explosive experience. The film is truly entertaining, which is an especially strong feat given its pitch-dark plot and depiction of desperation. The film is currently streaming on Netflix and is definitely worth it.