In 2007, forty-nine people were brutally torn to pieces in Louisiana's Honey Island Swamp. Over the past decade, lone survivor Andrew Yong's claims that local legend Victor Crowley was responsible for the horrific massacre have been met with great controversy, but when a twist of fate puts him back at the scene of the tragedy, Crowley is mistakenly resurrected and Yong must face the bloodthirsty ghost from his past.
Green is not just pastiching a Reagan-era mode of by-numbers splatter, but also reflecting upon that style's resurrection through the Hatchet legend that he created himself - & so this new film comes with a decidedly postmodern, self-reflexive feel.
In doubling down on the humour and keeping the practical effects at the forefront, Adam Green has once again delivered a hugely satisfying, fan-centric slasher with a lot of personality.
The flick is a speeding freight train of terror that flies gloriously off the rails and leaves you desperately wanting more. Welcome back, Mr. Crowley.
