Hell-Bent

Rated: Not Rated

        There are countless films out there about people trying to prove their worth at work. You know the type: the boss is mean and pushy, there’s a jerk the main character needs to beat in some way to look good in the boss’s eyes, the main character is good at his or her job but feels they could do better if only given the chance. It’s a story that’s been done so many times that it’s difficult to find a film in the bunch that is markedly different and not predictable.
 
        And then
Hell Bent appeared in my inbox. The film tells the story of Michael, a writer at Brimstone Magazine. The boss, Mr. Bowers offers a promotion to whoever can write an article worthy of being the next cover story. Michael wracks his brain trying to come up with a story to fit the bill, but keeps coming up short, until he brings the secretary Agatha home one night. When he sees Agatha summon a demon, it’s clear that Michael must base his article on that.
Timothy J. Cox attempts to rile his writers into doing something in Hell-Bent (Photo courtesy of Timothy J. Cox)

Timothy J. Cox attempts to rile his writers into doing something in Hell-Bent (Photo courtesy of Timothy J. Cox)

 
        This film caught me off guard! I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t that; I mean that in the best of ways though. I kind of thought that it would be more horror than comedy, and assumed the demon (his name is Ricky by the way) would be scary and, well, more demonic. This is one case that I’m happy to have been wrong. Ricky may be a demon, but he’s friendly and funny. That’s not to say he’s an angel, he constantly screws with people since most can’t see him, but he’s certainly not the type of demon you’d expect.
 
        And Michael is the perfect counter balance to Ricky’s over the top nature. Where Ricky is loud, boisterous and energetic, Michael is timid and unsure of himself. But it is through his friendship with Agatha and Ricky that he begins to blossom and come out of his shell, which is as nice to see onscreen as it is in real life.
 
        
Hell Bent is what every filmmaker hopes their work will be: the perfect balance of personalities working harmoniously to tell a story. The end result is a film of about a half hour that is funny, witty and pushes the boundaries of religious beliefs and friendship.
 
        
Hell Bent is not rated, was directed by Foster Vernon and stars Justin Andrews Davis, Leslie Lynn Meeker and Steven Trolinger. More information about Hell Bent and Foster Vernon can be found here:

  • Foster Vernon on IMDB