Hellbender begins as a quiet portrait of teenage rebellion before spiraling into something primal. The keyword itself, Hellbender, evokes both a creature and a curse—a symbol of power inherited, feared, and misunderstood. Written and directed by the Adams Family collective (Toby Poser, Zelda Adams, John Adams), this indie horror film transforms a mother-daughter bond into a supernatural war over freedom and restraint.
The film’s minimalist production hides remarkable depth. Set deep in the American wilderness, Hellbender thrives on isolation, music, and myth. It’s both a punk coming-of-age tale and a feral meditation on feminine power.
Story and Setting
Izzy lives in the woods with her mother, cut off from society under the belief that she’s sick and must stay home. Her days are filled with forest walks and rehearsing music with her mom in their two-person rock band called “Hellbender.” But when she encounters other teens and accidentally tastes blood, something ancient awakens within her. The mother’s lies unravel, revealing that they are witches—descendants of a lineage tied to nature and death itself.
What follows is a slow, hypnotic discovery of identity, both liberating and horrifying. Hellbender’s greatest achievement lies in merging family intimacy with folk horror dread.
Film Details
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Hellbender |
| Release Year | 2022 |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Folk Horror / Coming-of-Age / Supernatural Drama |
| Directors & Writers | John Adams, Zelda Adams, Toby Poser |
| Runtime | 86 minutes |
| Main Cast | Zelda Adams (Izzy), Toby Poser (Mother), Lulu Adams (Amber), John Adams (The Man) |
| Production Companies | Wonder Wheel Productions |
| Distributor | Shudder |
| Awards | Best Director (Fantasia Film Festival 2021), Jury Prize for Cinematic Vision (Grimmfest) |
Themes and Symbolism
Hellbender uses witchcraft as a metaphor for adolescence and self-realization. Its horror grows not from monsters, but from metamorphosis.
Power and Inheritance – The film portrays magic as both gift and curse, handed down through bloodlines.
Isolation and Rebellion – Izzy’s desire to connect with the world clashes with her mother’s fear of losing control.
Nature and Hunger – The forest acts as both protector and predator, reflecting Izzy’s growing appetite for power.
Female Autonomy – The mother fears what her daughter could become—because she was once the same.
Like Robert Eggers’ The Witch, Hellbender is steeped in earthy textures and pagan symbolism, but it’s far more personal. The directors literally lived the story—writing, acting, scoring, and filming together as a real family.
Cinematic Craft and Direction
The Adams Family’s guerrilla filmmaking approach gives the movie an organic authenticity. Filmed in upstate New York with natural light and handheld cameras, the result feels tactile and immediate. The visuals alternate between dreamlike and documentary realism.
The music—written and performed by the directors themselves—blends psychedelic rock with ritualistic chanting, amplifying the raw energy of youth and rebellion. Each song becomes an emotional spell, marking Izzy’s transformation.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Cinematography | Vivid natural imagery with witchy color grading—reds and greens dominate. |
| Soundtrack | Original punk-folk songs composed by the cast; mirrors emotional progression. |
| Editing Style | Slow, rhythmic pacing punctuated by violent bursts of chaos. |
| Tone | Lyrical, eerie, yet strangely tender. |
Character and Performance Analysis
Zelda Adams embodies Izzy with innocence that slowly rots into confidence. Her physical transformation—eyes darkening, smile sharpening—feels frighteningly authentic. Toby Poser, playing her mother, gives a performance layered with love, fear, and grief. Their chemistry is undeniable because it’s real—they are mother and daughter off-screen too.
Critics praised the duo’s balance between tenderness and terror. Their dynamic mirrors the natural cycle of rebellion: to grow, one must consume what created them.
Symbolic Motifs
Blood – Both sustenance and curse, symbolizing lineage and awakening.
Trees and Roots – Represent ancestral connection; when Izzy touches roots, memories emerge.
Fire – Transformation and destruction. In Hellbender, growth always burns something away.
Expert and Audience Opinions
“A handcrafted horror film that burns with punk energy and maternal dread.” — The Guardian
“One of the purest examples of DIY cinema meeting mythic storytelling.” — Roger Ebert
“It’s The Witch for the Spotify generation.” — IndieWire
On forums and social platforms, audiences describe Hellbender as “hauntingly intimate,” “a strange mix of comfort and terror,” and “the most personal witch movie ever made.” Viewers resonate with its family dynamic as much as its eerie spells.
Comparative Table – Hellbender vs. The Witch
| Element | The Witch (2015) | Hellbender (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | 17th-century Puritan New England | Modern isolated forest home |
| Tone | Religious repression and paranoia | Feminine awakening and self-empowerment |
| Focus | Fear of the Devil | Discovery of inner divinity |
| Cinematic Style | Historical realism | Psychedelic folk minimalism |
| Ending Message | Freedom through sin | Freedom through self-acceptance |
Why You Should Watch Hellbender
Authentic Independent Vision: Created entirely by one family, it redefines DIY filmmaking.
Fresh Take on Witch Mythology: Not about evil but about evolution.
Emotional Core: A horror film that’s also a story of motherhood and adolescence.
Visually Unique: Handmade effects and natural landscapes feel primal and real.
Critical Acclaim: Universally praised across genre festivals for originality.
Powerful Soundtrack: Every song drives the emotional and narrative arc.
Lasting Resonance: Leaves you questioning where power ends and hunger begins.
FAQs
Is Hellbender a true story?
No, but it draws heavily on generational relationships and nature-based spirituality experienced by the filmmakers themselves.
Is the film more horror or drama?
It’s both. The horror is emotional, not just supernatural. It thrives on transformation rather than terror.
Where can I watch it?
Hellbender is available on Shudder, where it premiered in 2022.
Closing Reflection
Hellbender (2022) is a rare film that bleeds honesty. It’s about creation, rebellion, and the thin line between nurture and control. The Adams family proves that horror doesn’t need budgets or special effects to be unforgettable—it just needs truth. In the end, Hellbender isn’t about becoming a monster. It’s about realizing that monsters can love, too.
Sources
The Guardian – Hellbender Review
