Hell Bent (film)

Hell Bent is a 2004 American horror-comedy film directed by Paul Etheredge. Notable as one of the first gay-themed slasher films, Hell Bent follows a group of gay friends in West Hollywood who are stalked by a masked killer on Halloween night.

The plot centers around Eddie (played by Dylan Fergus), a young man who becomes obsessed with finding the murderer of his boyfriend. The killer is dressed as a devil, wielding a scythe, and preying on the gay community. Eddie and his friends, Chaz (Andrew Levitas), Tobey (Matt Phillips), and Joey (PJ DeBoy), find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse as they navigate the Halloween festivities and try to survive the night.

Hell Bent received mixed reviews upon its release. While praised for its representation of LGBTQ+ characters in a horror context and its self-aware humor, it was also criticized for its low budget and predictable slasher tropes. Despite the mixed reception, the film has gained a cult following within the LGBTQ+ community and among fans of independent horror cinema. Its significance lies in its visibility and contribution to diversifying representation within the horror genre.