One of the stars of Prime Video’s dark comedy superhero seriesThe Boysis the lead of a new slasher miniseries titledHell Motel, and it’s already earning solid reviews.Hell Motelis an eight-episode series streaming on Shudder, a streaming platform designed specifically for horror lovers that has previously developed critically acclaimed films, includingWhen Evil Lurks. The series stars Shaun Benson (The Boys), Paula Brancati (Slasher), Genevieve DeGraves (Jupiter’s Legacy), and many more, with the ensemble playing a crucial role in its plot.
Hell Motel, which starsThe Boys’Ezekiel actor Shaun Benson, has released its first three episodes on streaming, and debut reviews onRotten Tomatoesgive the show an 80% score.Critics praise the show for building on classic horror genre titles likeHalloween, offering a compelling whodunnit-style mystery, and delivering a thoughtful critique of how the entertainment industry exploits tragedy for content. One audience member described it as an “off-brand season of American Horror Story,” suggesting it had a lower budget and worse acting, despite having a superior script.
What Hell Motel’s Early Reviews Mean
Hell Motel Looks Like A Win For Shudder
In an oversaturated streaming market, Shudder isn’t the most widely recognized title for anyone who isn’t a serious horror connoisseur. That said, the platform has released dozens of horror films over the past seven years, including titles that garnered attention, such asLate Night with the Devil,Speak No Evil, andSkinamarink. The limitations ofa fringe platform (with yet another subscription) may confineHell Motel’spotential audience pool, but it looks like it’s going to land with its target viewership.
With horror projects being relatively cheap to make and often having a reliable market, the slasher genre has been taken apart and reconstructed countless times. There are thousands of awful slasher projects that are simply cheap knock-offs of titles likeA Nightmare on Elm Street, and even those trying to subvert genre norms often end up cheesier than intended.Hell Motelis a rare release in the genre that plays into everything audiences loveand is actually credited for its intelligent, forward-thinking writing.
Our Take On Hell Motel’s Early Reviews
Hell Motel Perfectly Fulfills Its Purpose
Although reviews acknowledge thatHell Motelhas its flaws, this series seems to be the exact product Shudder would have hoped for. It’sa well-written, visually attractive horror piece that offers entertainment value and something constructive to sayabout its own genre. For horror fans who are looking for something fresh and enjoyable to binge,Hell Motellooks like a compelling option to get started on.
