Hatchet is generally described as a horror-comedy, but the qualifier doesn’t quite fit. It’s not exactly horror – Hatchet is hardly trying to scare its audience – but its jokes are mostly in-jokes, references or cameos that will put a grin on horror fans’ faces without really being funny. This is a horror film made by people who love horror for people who love horror, and consequently it won’t appeal to anyone who doesn’t categorise themselves as a horror aficionado.

Hatchet sets Jaso- uh, Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder), a deformed, supernatural murderer with a troubled childhood upon innocent idiots who were foolishly enough to visit Camp Cryst- uh, go on a boat trip into swampland. It’s heavily inspired by the Friday the 13th series, down to the sluggish introduction that collects a cast of victims (one of whom is, naturally, an expert on Crowley’s past) and a recreation (“homage”) of the first Friday film’s memorable ending. Honestly, aside from an uptick in the amount of gore, this could have easily have been made in the late ‘80s as a continuation of the Friday the 13th films – and that should give you a good idea as to whether or not you’ll enjoy it.

Rating: 100/200