Welcome to Willits

Last updated

Welcome to Willits
Welcome to Willits poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTrevor Ryan
Written byTim Ryan
Produced by Jon Keeyes
Scott Levenson
Jordan Yale Levine
Shaun Sanghani
Starring Bill Sage
Sabina Gadecki
Anastasia Baranova
Dolph Lundgren
Thomas Dekker
Chris Zylka
Garrett Clayton
Rory Culkin
Serge Levin
CinematographyChe Broadnax
Edited byPhillip Blackford
Music byJeremy Little
Production
companies
Yale Productions
SSS Entertainment
BondIt Media Capital
Real Horror Show Pictures
Distributed by IFC Midnight
Release date
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$464,770 [1]

Welcome to Willits, also known as Alien Hunter, is a 2016 American science fiction comedy horror film directed by Trevor Ryan and starring Bill Sage, Sabina Gadecki, Anastasia Baranova, Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Dekker, Chris Zylka, Serge Levin, Garrett Clayton and Rory Culkin. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Plot

Deep in the Northern California woods, in the heart of the notorious Emerald Triangle, lies a remote cabin. Brock (Bill Sage) is a marijuana farmer and methamphetamine user/dealer in the area who believes his farms have been invaded by aliens. Brock's paranoia continues to grow, which may be PTSD from a past alien abduction and torture. [6] In his spare time, Brock watches the police procedure TV show "Fists of Justice", starring Dolph Lundgren as a violent policeman.

Other residents of the area are allegedly suffering from attacks from mysterious creatures.

When Brock catches a wayward group of young campers on his land, he hallucinates the campers into aliens and the situation quickly escalates into total carnage. [7]

Cast

Production

Development

An adaptation of the sci-fi/horror short "Welcome to Willits: After Sundown." [8]

The first film was made by the Ryans. Filmed in Louisiana, Los Angeles, and Willits, California. [9]

Reception

Critical response

The Los Angeles Times found the film promising with loopy energy, but finally the movie was unfocused. They found the film promising enough to hope for more efforts from the filmmakers. [10]

The Horror Society praised the film, finding it amazingly original. They praised the dialogue and the effects., [11] [ unreliable source? ]

Rue Morgue far preferred the short the film is based on, ridiculing the long version for "obnoxious characters, awful pacing and some of the worst practical/special effects that’s ever been produced." [12]

Dread Central praised the film, finding it one of the best independent horror films of the year. [13]

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References

  1. "Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search" (Type "Welcome to Willits" in the search box). Louisiana Economic Development. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. Miska, Brad (August 24, 2017). "'Welcome To Willits' Trailer Battles Comedy and Creatures". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  3. McHatton, Erik (November 13, 2017). "Welcome to Willits (2017)". Dread Central . Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  4. Ramos, Dino-Ray (July 12, 2017). "IFC Midnight Acquires Horror Comedy 'Welcome To Willits'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  5. Collis, Clark (August 24, 2017). "Alien monsters and drug madness collide in Welcome to Willits trailer". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  6. "Movie Review: "WELCOME TO WILLITS" is a monster misfire". February 13, 2018.
  7. "Review: 'Welcome to Willits' is a weird and woozy slasher and aliens flick". Los Angeles Times . September 28, 2017.
  8. "Teresa Palmer to Star in 'Welcome to Willits,' Based on SXSW Short". March 16, 2015.
  9. "Talking with the makers behind 'Welcome to Willits' horror film". September 29, 2017.
  10. "Review: 'Welcome to Willits' is a weird and woozy slasher and aliens flick". Los Angeles Times . September 28, 2017.
  11. "Review: "Welcome to Willits" (2017)". May 16, 2017.
  12. "Movie Review: "WELCOME TO WILLITS" is a monster misfire". February 13, 2018.
  13. "Welcome to Willits (2017)". November 13, 2017.