There's nothing new to see here. It's as if writer/director Tomaz Gorkic sat down with a checklist of US horror tropes since the 1970s and just ticked them off : models on a photo-shoot (check), disfigured backwoods people living off the grid, (check), a riff on that banjo scene out of Deliverance (check), lead crazies wield simple cutting weapons (check), sassy final girl (check) chased through a forest (check) before hiding in an abandoned ruin and cave (check), ironic ending (check), and even "pointless post credit scene" (check). Not forgetting "cliched misogynistic dialogue" and "fake jump scares". Yes, it's well filmed, with a few decent physical gore effects, but essentially I found Idyll ("Killbillies", sigh), quickly fell into the same old familiar pattern of a thousand cheap imitators of the horror greats, leaving me disappointed and bored by its predictability.
10 Reviews
Simple redneck horror type fare...from Slovenia
Leofwine_draca7 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
KILLBILLIES is your standard gory horror wilderness movie in the same vein as MANHUNT or the WRONG TURN franchise. It involves some youthful characters who decide to go on an idealistic camping trip in the woods only to fall foul of some mutant redneck characters with murder in mind.
In other words, this film has EXACTLY the same storyline as a dozen others you could mention and indeed it plays out in a completely predictable way. The only thing that makes it stand apart from the crowd is that it was made in Slovenia, but when the filmmakers simply copy the Hollywood style without adding any local colour it doesn't really matter anyway.
Saying that, this is a cut above the usual shot on video fare and at least it looks pretty decent for its genre. The make up is suitably horrid and the graphic gore scenes are done in a fairly convincing way. The main actress isn't too bad either. It's just a pity they couldn't have made something even a little bit original.
In other words, this film has EXACTLY the same storyline as a dozen others you could mention and indeed it plays out in a completely predictable way. The only thing that makes it stand apart from the crowd is that it was made in Slovenia, but when the filmmakers simply copy the Hollywood style without adding any local colour it doesn't really matter anyway.
Saying that, this is a cut above the usual shot on video fare and at least it looks pretty decent for its genre. The make up is suitably horrid and the graphic gore scenes are done in a fairly convincing way. The main actress isn't too bad either. It's just a pity they couldn't have made something even a little bit original.
Pretty Bland
hellsing21821 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
While Slovenia isn't exactly known for slasher movies, this was a decent attempt. However, it really doesn't have many good qualities to it. All the characters are honestly pretty unlikeable and come across either as annoying or jerks so when something happens to them you don't personally feel anything. The setup is fairly weak with the hillbillies just showing up in the middle of nowhere for no reason so there isn't any buildup of tension. In the blink of an eye we go to a dark dungeon somewhere that's kind of disorienting.
There is some decent gore effects that had me surprised at just how good they were. The plot kind of falls apart here, as the hillbillies are... draining the blood out of people to make alcohol? Follow this up with some typical running through the woods from the killer and mix it with a mean-spirited ending and there just isn't enough value in the film to watch. As I said earlier, a valiant effort but one that doesn't go anywhere.
There is some decent gore effects that had me surprised at just how good they were. The plot kind of falls apart here, as the hillbillies are... draining the blood out of people to make alcohol? Follow this up with some typical running through the woods from the killer and mix it with a mean-spirited ending and there just isn't enough value in the film to watch. As I said earlier, a valiant effort but one that doesn't go anywhere.
Slovenia captures the essence of horror in quite an entertaining manner. ◆≈≈6.5/10≈≈◆
Thrill_KillZ9 October 2016
OK yes, this scenario has been played out before many years ago and it lifts elements going back from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(original)" with a good splash of "Deliverance" and borrows the "Wrong Turn" concept, but with much more violent content. I personally don't have a problem with it because as a true horror hound I relish when a film truly does justice to films of old and entertains viewers on some new levels of horror.
Being a very low budget film at 220,000 didn't stop it from delivering very explicit and realistic gore. The team behind all of the practical special effects did one hell of job as there were plenty of memorable gore that looked perfect.
The villains, oh boy the villains, these two mountain "killbillies" were the most vile and disgusting duo I've ever seen in a horror film, the very sight of them is almost enough to induce vomiting for those sensitive to such things. Hats off to the casting director who found these guys, wherever they came from. One of them is more or less useless, but Frankl aka puss-face is one formidable son of a b!tch and he played his role well. I'm leaving out the plot in this as it's pretty straightforward and there isn't much need for repeating the film's summary, moving on.
Again hats off to Slovenia for bringing the goods for one entertaining splatter horror/thriller. I found the acting to be good, but since I was reading subtitles they kind of have a way of covering up any badly delivered dialogue. I felt the ending was great, though admittedly I do have quite a dark sense of humor, it was kind of refreshing from the usual cliché endings in these type of films, sick and twisted, but good.
So far the film in my opinion is criminally underrated at a 5.0/10, this is an above average horror flick which was made on a budget, but you can hardly even notice the cash restraints. The effects guys really put their heart into it and gave it their all and it showed.
Also when the girls aren't in the dark cellar, the film is chock full of amazing and breathtaking visuals of the gorgeous Slovenian mountains, talk about a view. The location they film at was visually stunning, it definitely added to the film. Not only the isolation, but the landscape itself can be treacherous for our protagonists. This being a Slovenian film, they showed that while absorbing all of our American horror flicks, they in turn gave us their own little unique version of madness and depravity that while familiar managed to be unique to them and their territory. My final score is a 6.5/10(rounded to 7/10), but apparently I enjoyed it more than most(to each their own) and I am totally open for catching the next film of writer/director Tomaz Gorkic, if he gets the opportunity to make one. Recommended only for true horror fans.
Being a very low budget film at 220,000 didn't stop it from delivering very explicit and realistic gore. The team behind all of the practical special effects did one hell of job as there were plenty of memorable gore that looked perfect.
The villains, oh boy the villains, these two mountain "killbillies" were the most vile and disgusting duo I've ever seen in a horror film, the very sight of them is almost enough to induce vomiting for those sensitive to such things. Hats off to the casting director who found these guys, wherever they came from. One of them is more or less useless, but Frankl aka puss-face is one formidable son of a b!tch and he played his role well. I'm leaving out the plot in this as it's pretty straightforward and there isn't much need for repeating the film's summary, moving on.
Again hats off to Slovenia for bringing the goods for one entertaining splatter horror/thriller. I found the acting to be good, but since I was reading subtitles they kind of have a way of covering up any badly delivered dialogue. I felt the ending was great, though admittedly I do have quite a dark sense of humor, it was kind of refreshing from the usual cliché endings in these type of films, sick and twisted, but good.
So far the film in my opinion is criminally underrated at a 5.0/10, this is an above average horror flick which was made on a budget, but you can hardly even notice the cash restraints. The effects guys really put their heart into it and gave it their all and it showed.
Also when the girls aren't in the dark cellar, the film is chock full of amazing and breathtaking visuals of the gorgeous Slovenian mountains, talk about a view. The location they film at was visually stunning, it definitely added to the film. Not only the isolation, but the landscape itself can be treacherous for our protagonists. This being a Slovenian film, they showed that while absorbing all of our American horror flicks, they in turn gave us their own little unique version of madness and depravity that while familiar managed to be unique to them and their territory. My final score is a 6.5/10(rounded to 7/10), but apparently I enjoyed it more than most(to each their own) and I am totally open for catching the next film of writer/director Tomaz Gorkic, if he gets the opportunity to make one. Recommended only for true horror fans.
Better than expected.
ant36au15 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
To be honest,when I read the title I expected your usual fare of hideous hillbillies chasing and killing topless hot girls who are too stupid to live anyway,what I got was indeed hideous hillbillies,but not your average stupid girl heroine. Zina (Nina Ivanisin) is awesome as our victim,no pussy footing around with this girl,no female victim tripping over nothing in the woods and no running away when she gets an advantage over the hillbillies,Zina kills em and kills em dead in gloriously vicious ways.
The cinematography is glorious,with sweeping views of mountain terrain and forest that just leave you breathless with it's beauty and makes you want to go there.Nothing annoyed me about this fare from Slovenia and I will no doubt give it a second viewing in the future and I highly recommend it to any horror lover.Seven stars from me.
This a superior horror film in every regard, definitely a must-see
Indyrod23 November 2017
Just watched a truly superior horror film from Slovenia with subtitles. This is definitely a must-see, the production is amazing, the acting is great, and the script is extremely frightening with great graphic kills.
I absolutely love "Killbillies (2015)", it delivers the goods on all levels, and is better than most American horror films I've seen lately.
A photo shooting crew with two models and the photographer, go to an area they certainly should have stayed away from. Shortly, a couple of hillbillies capture them, putting them in a room while they prepare to use them to create an alcoholic beverage everyone loves. totally bizarre to say the least.
I can't rate this gem any higher, You really need to see this one. I absolutely loved it.
I absolutely love "Killbillies (2015)", it delivers the goods on all levels, and is better than most American horror films I've seen lately.
A photo shooting crew with two models and the photographer, go to an area they certainly should have stayed away from. Shortly, a couple of hillbillies capture them, putting them in a room while they prepare to use them to create an alcoholic beverage everyone loves. totally bizarre to say the least.
I can't rate this gem any higher, You really need to see this one. I absolutely loved it.
Scary As Hell!
meddlecore30 October 2017
I mean, if you are looking for one film to scare the sh*t out of you this Halloween...Slovenia's first ever horror film Idila (aka Killbillies) is an excellent choice.
Cause this film is scary as hell. And when it's not scaring the crap out of you, it's wrought with tension...getting you right into things.
It starts out pretty tamely, with a group of models drinking at a bar. The next day, two of them head off on a photo shoot, in a rural part of the mountains, with their photographer and his assistant.
However, right when they are about to start shooting...they are approached by two creepy, disgusting and deformed, rednecks. One wielding an axe.
The two men promptly knock out the photographer...and the next thing you know...they are all held up in a cell.
Taken prisoner by these psychopathic mountain hillbillies.
And this is where it starts to get terrifying.
They murder the photographer (by bashing his skull into the wall). And seize the eldest of the three women.
You totally think they are going to viciously rape her...but instead, they tap into her adrenal gland and drain it of it's juices (until she's dead). They use this to distill a popular bootleg moonshine.
The girls do still have some fight left in them though. And they use a golden oppourtunity to escape.
Although, it doesn't exactly go as planned.
What ensues is an epic, tension-filled, chase and fight to the death.
With an ending that is sure to disappoint you in the best possible way.
This film is totally vicious, filled with gore, and great special effects. The scenery is beautiful. And there is so much tension, that it is genuinely terrifying.
A great film to turn to if you want to get your fright on this October.
7.5 out of 10.
Cause this film is scary as hell. And when it's not scaring the crap out of you, it's wrought with tension...getting you right into things.
It starts out pretty tamely, with a group of models drinking at a bar. The next day, two of them head off on a photo shoot, in a rural part of the mountains, with their photographer and his assistant.
However, right when they are about to start shooting...they are approached by two creepy, disgusting and deformed, rednecks. One wielding an axe.
The two men promptly knock out the photographer...and the next thing you know...they are all held up in a cell.
Taken prisoner by these psychopathic mountain hillbillies.
And this is where it starts to get terrifying.
They murder the photographer (by bashing his skull into the wall). And seize the eldest of the three women.
You totally think they are going to viciously rape her...but instead, they tap into her adrenal gland and drain it of it's juices (until she's dead). They use this to distill a popular bootleg moonshine.
The girls do still have some fight left in them though. And they use a golden oppourtunity to escape.
Although, it doesn't exactly go as planned.
What ensues is an epic, tension-filled, chase and fight to the death.
With an ending that is sure to disappoint you in the best possible way.
This film is totally vicious, filled with gore, and great special effects. The scenery is beautiful. And there is so much tension, that it is genuinely terrifying.
A great film to turn to if you want to get your fright on this October.
7.5 out of 10.
You have a boo-boo on your arm
nogodnomasters22 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The film opens with some Eastern European models talking at a bar. Zina (Nina Ivanisin) is a model getting on in years with a waning career. She is going to the mountains for a photo shoot which includes another model, the photographer and an assistant make-up woman. Soon the shoot is interrupted by the deformed locals you see on the cover, a deformity that is most likely caused by their consumption of home made liquor. This turns into the expected capture and escape film, and we already know the Final Girl.
The film was shot in Slovenia and had English subtitles. The use of the captives was different, but didn't deter from the formula. The ending was odd, unless you consider the original title, "Idyll." "Killbillies" was clearly a marketing change. They need to either gut the end tune, or go back to the original title.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity. Groping.
The film was shot in Slovenia and had English subtitles. The use of the captives was different, but didn't deter from the formula. The ending was odd, unless you consider the original title, "Idyll." "Killbillies" was clearly a marketing change. They need to either gut the end tune, or go back to the original title.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity. Groping.
What a beast of a movie
spieck117 October 2022
I don't often write reviews but I have to for this hidden gem. How on earth is this fine slasher film only rated at five stars? Ok, I get it the dialogue in the beginning is stale and the acting just ok. But, the movie doesn't waste much time on the exposition and once it gets going this is one beast of a movie. First of all it has great pacing, there is a continuous flow with lots of small twists and turns. Second, the main villain is fantastic. What a fear inspiring, evil and huge man. One of the best villains in movies like this. Next, the visuals are great. I mean this is a low budget film, but it has lots of cool atmospheric shots. And the gore and violence factor should also satisfy your expectations.
"What Is It?! Did You Think You'd Get Away?!"...
azathothpwiggins23 June 2021
KILLBILLIES (aka: IDILA) is about a not-so typical day in the life of a model named Zina (Nina Ivanisis). Everything seems normal as Zina, along with a photographer and another female model, head out into the hinterlands for a photoshoot.
Along the way, a foreboding atmosphere starts building, as the local denizens exhibit some strange behavior. Once the trio meet at their wilderness destination, the weirdness gets a bit more frightening. The shoot is interrupted by two rural "gentlemen", who make the odious pair in DELIVERANCE look like Penn and Teller!
From this point, things go rather quickly downhill, and a harrowing, torturous ordeal unfolds. This is where it gets pretty gruesome! As the reason behind the grisly, seemingly sadistic horror becomes clear, it makes a sort of twisted sense.
At its black heart, this is a tale of addiction, supply, and demand. It's also a fantastic story of survival in the face of certain doom. Making full use of the breathtaking Slovenian countryside and ruins therein, the final sequence rivals the best of its sub-genre with its sheer power and exhilarating pace!
This movie is gory. Extremely so. However, it's also chilling, and has a novel, interesting plot.
Ms. Ivanisin is outstanding in her desperate, yet strong role. She plays it in a way that would make the likes of the great Tura Satana proud! Hair, leather jacket, and all!
Francl (Lotos Srarovec) is a very memorable, disgustingly eeevil character. He's like all of the inbred mutants from WRONG TURN rolled into one icky package!
Gorehounds and those willing to take a chance should add this one to their watchlist...
Along the way, a foreboding atmosphere starts building, as the local denizens exhibit some strange behavior. Once the trio meet at their wilderness destination, the weirdness gets a bit more frightening. The shoot is interrupted by two rural "gentlemen", who make the odious pair in DELIVERANCE look like Penn and Teller!
From this point, things go rather quickly downhill, and a harrowing, torturous ordeal unfolds. This is where it gets pretty gruesome! As the reason behind the grisly, seemingly sadistic horror becomes clear, it makes a sort of twisted sense.
At its black heart, this is a tale of addiction, supply, and demand. It's also a fantastic story of survival in the face of certain doom. Making full use of the breathtaking Slovenian countryside and ruins therein, the final sequence rivals the best of its sub-genre with its sheer power and exhilarating pace!
This movie is gory. Extremely so. However, it's also chilling, and has a novel, interesting plot.
Ms. Ivanisin is outstanding in her desperate, yet strong role. She plays it in a way that would make the likes of the great Tura Satana proud! Hair, leather jacket, and all!
Francl (Lotos Srarovec) is a very memorable, disgustingly eeevil character. He's like all of the inbred mutants from WRONG TURN rolled into one icky package!
Gorehounds and those willing to take a chance should add this one to their watchlist...
See also
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