The Dooms Chapel Horror Worships at the Altar of Terror: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: this critic has worked with actor Bill Oberst Jr. and the producers of The Dooms Chapel Horror, through press releases. An online screener of this film was provided by producer Chris Bower.

Director: John Holt.

Writer: Jason Turner.

Cast: Bill Oberst Jr., Austin Madding, Abby Murphy, Josh Cornelius and Joshua Mark Robinson.

The Dooms Chapel Horror was shot in Kentucky. A rural creature feature, the film stars Bill Oberst Jr. and Joshua Mark Robinson. The film is also hillbilly horror, in that a group of rednecks harass the protagonist, Kyle (Austin Madding) and a hairy mystery lies in the bush. The Dooms Chapel Horror is also shot found footage style. This style can polarize viewers, but it is affective here. Also, the film's central story and conflict are both intriguing and developed with eye for pacing. Overall, The Dooms Chapel Horror is a well shot production, which will offer several thrills.

Kyle has lost his brother. Ryan (William Ryan Watson) died in a strange combine accident. Now, ten years later, Kyle is returning to his hometown, in search of answers. He is bringing his girlfriend, Mandy (Abby Murphy) and friend, Tanner (Shaun Gerardo). Mandy mostly looks scared, but Tanner manages the camera. Together, this trio investigate the events that led to Ryan's death and some of the crazed locals. Kyle, eventually, gets the answers he was looking for, but not before facing a group of menacing cultists and their pet monster. The result is a little gruesome.

Actors Bill Oberst Jr. and Joshua Mark Robinson.

Found footage is utilized for affect here. Kyle wears a body cam' for much of the film. This camera records some of the more intense dialogues, especially in the third act. For instance, Kyle has a tense conversation with his dad as a creature lurks about. The following scenes show the father in dire straits and the transition will create some thrills. Also, several surveillance cameras are used. They mostly show setting and interaction. Meanwhile, Tanner records much of the action, with a handheld digital camera. The use of handhelds, at night and during the climax, create more terror, with the creature sneaking up behind a couple of camera holders. This unconventional shooting style is used to put the viewer in a few of the intense sequences, to amplify the horror and it works.

This film would be classified as hillbilly horror. Viewers will have seen this genre in past films, such as Deliverance (1972), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and in Eden Lake (2008). In these films, the story takes place in a rural setting. Away from civilization, the villains have free reign to terrorize any of the other characters. In rural settings, the authorities are often not in control, especially in this film. In some of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre films, the local sheriffs even work along with the antagonists, to capture and kill the unwary. In The Dooms Chapel Horror, the rural setting hides a mystery. It lurks just off camera, ready to strike. And, the film ends in the backwoods of Kaler Mills, where the villains have their home. In the wilderness, the characters do not even stand a chance.

This viewer enjoyed the story and the third act, the most. The story builds through the first third of the film. Here, characters are interviewed and characters are established. Once Kyle returns to his hometown, more conflict is introduced as the cultists make their presence known. The final frames bring even more conflict as a killing creature is introduced. All of these conflicts are developed believably, as possible. The steady pace of the film is also welcome. The reward of the slower third and initial part of the film is a series of well executed, bloody scenes. A comedic, but gruesome scene involved one character with their innards hanging, complaining of "my stomach hurts." A number of these chaotic scenes take place after a gentle build of characters and plot elements.

The Dooms Chapel Horror is worthy of horror fans' time. The film incorporates a diverse shooting style, to capture its backwoods story. This viewer enjoyed the found footage style, here. Everything is recorded effectively and intensely. There are a couple of awkward scenes, which challenge the film's reality. But, most of the scenes and sequences develop believably. Actor Bill Oberst Jr. brings lots of menace to the screen as a deranged cultist. Joshua Mark Robinson also delivers a threatening performance. Overall, The Dooms Chapel Horror brings an entertaining time, in a rural Kentucky, where almost anything can jump out of a bush or a hedge.

Overall: 7.25 out of 10 (a few of the later scenes could not have been filmed as they were - so there are continuity issues).

A trailer for the film is available here, at the A Good Size Productions website:

A The Dooms Chapel Horror Trailer


Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription

Posted in: 2015,bill oberst jr.,hillbillies,hillbilly,hillbilly horror,independent,indie,indie horror movie review,movie review