Inbred (2011)

Directed by: Alex Chandon | 100 minutes | horror | Actors: Jo Hartley, Seamus O’Neill, James Doherty, James Burrows, Neil Leiper, Chris Waller, Nadine Rose Mulkerrin, Terry Haywood, Damien Lloyd-Davies, Derek Melling, Mark Rathbone, Dominic Brunt, Mat Fraser, George Newton, Michael Sanderson, Neil Keenan, Martin Howard, Lee Jerrum

A title like ‘Inbred’ – or inbred in beautiful Dutch – immediately covers the load. You know you can expect a (splatter) horror film about and with retarded rural residents. With such a clear title you can hardly be disappointed as a horror fanatic. This sympathetic B-movie also does exactly what it promises. In fact: more than it promises!

‘Inbred’ revolves around four problem youngsters and their supervisors. This group decides to spend the night in a remote village. Bad plan. The very name of the area – Mortlake (‘mort’ means ‘death’ in French) – indicates that it is not a good place. Anyway, the little-known town in Yorkshire is home to rather disturbed villagers who, in their own words, “have little to do with strangers”. When the problem youngsters get into a fight with the local youth, things get out of hand. It results in a bloody mess…

You don’t look at a movie like ‘Inbred’ for the story or the great acting. The story isn’t very good. Although the idea of ​​a couple of loiterers who are forced to go out with their supervisors is quite original. However, the effect is by the book. You have the overly optimistic companion and his more realistic female counterpart. In addition, the delinquents consist of two standard rascals, a quiet and withdrawn girl ‘with a past’ and a sympathetic-looking rascal who doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the group. The villagers consist of deformed, grotesque characters who may or may not be salivating for blood. The cast performs well. They do what they have to do. Although the portrayal of Seamus O’Neill – as village elder Jim – stands out. He portrays the deranged padre familias with visible pleasure and energy.

The reason you should watch ‘Inbred’ is the bizarre killings. The highlights include a collision between a horse’s hoof and a head. You will also be treated to a combination between a mouth and a fertilizer sprayer. Gore hasn’t been skimped on and that results in some hilarious, filthy slayings. Some scenes of violence look quite realistic, but the majority are so bizarre that it makes you laugh. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously either.

The final is unpredictable and at times even quite exciting. This movie was made with love. A lot of attention has clearly been put into the special effects and the ingenious murders. Unfortunately, the tension build-up is not very strong. It takes a very long time for anything to actually happen. Seasoned horror fanatics are used to that (and are more than satisfied with their wishes later on), but impatient movie viewers will quickly look for the ‘fast forward’ button. Genre fans should give ‘Inbred’ a chance anyway, because the far-fetched ways in which the victims perish are original.