VOD Review: The Hexecutioners (2017)

"A slow burn of an Indie film that delivers the creepy goods."

(aka Sky Burial.)
Release Date: May 5th, 2017.
Country: Canada.
Rating: NR.
Written by: Tony Burgess.
Directed by: Jesse Thomas Cook.
Starring: Liv Collins, Sarah Power, and Timothy Burd.

I've been putting off watching this movie for months, and I'm not exactly sure why. It's got two hot lead actresses, it boasts a fairly unique set-up, and it's written by the guy who wrote Pontypool, so at face value, it should be a decent flick, right?

Well that's exactly what it is; a decent Horror flick that gets more right than it does wrong.

Three years ago, Proposition 117 was passed, making assisted-suicide legal in (presumably) Canada and the United States. This of course leads to right-to-die companies popping up all over the place, because, capitalism. In the present day, Malison McCourt is a mousy wallflower of a girl who is starting a new job as an assisted-suicide nurse at one such company. She really has no idea what she's getting herself into, and her first day shows her that being an angel of mercy sent to give suffering people the sweet release that they so desperately wish for (and need), isn't going to be an easy gig at all.

SHE HAD A ROUGH FIRST DAY.

She's eventually paired up with the sexy, confident Olivia, who is tasked with showing her the assisted-suicide ropes, and how to be a sex kitten with minimal effort. The two of them travel to a remote Owen Sound mansion where they are to help their newest client head into the great beyond via a "Sky Ritual", which really sounds like it might involve Satan somehow.

"WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR WHAT CHAPTER THREE SAYS."

Their stay in the mansion introduces them to a creepy caretaker of sorts named Edgar; sees Malison having all manner of disturbing, and possibly prophetic dreams; and the relationship between the two girls gets pretty intense, and almost ends in lesbian hi-jinks... until it's revealed that Olivia is a prude, although I suppose that with all of the supernatural craziness that they're about to unleash, that's probably for the best.

Sky ritual madness ensues.

INSERT CRUDE "EARNING HER RED WINGS" JOKE HERE.

The Hexecutioners isn't a perfect movie, but it's a well-made Indie that boasts a great location, some sharp camera work, has atmosphere to spare, and it offers something different in a Genre where so many plots feel the same, even if it devolves into familiar territory towards the end. We did like how the ending went to places that we didn't expect it to though.

While the plot of The Hexecutioners is centered around the issue of assisted suicide, it never tries to preach to us and tell us that one side of that debate is the best one to be on. This is a Horror movie, not a political debate, so that's how it should be. That premise does make for a fairly original narrative though, and it works rather well, despite that fact that it's bound to divide audiences on the core issue.

Liv Collins has only starred in three full-length movies (all of them being Horror), but she's got a presence that makes it seem like she's been doing this for years. She's not only pretty, but she's compelling to watch, especially given the turns that her character goes through. Sarah Power was fantastic as the sexy Olivia, and while her resume is a bit longer than her co-star's, this is still the first thing we've seen her in as well. Hopefully they'll both show up in more movies soon, because they did a great job here. 

"SO THEN THAT'S A HARD NO ON THE SCISSOR-KISSING, RIGHT?"

There are some bloody good moments and kills towards the end, and plenty of disturbing imagery throughout.

GINGER AND THE BEAST.

Sarah Power goes topless in what just might be the best scene in the movie. Also, Liv Collins takes a bath. The two of them almost have some lesbian sex too, but that was not to be, which was really disappointing.

YOU DON'T WANT US TO STARE, THEN DON'T TAKE YOUR SHIRT OFF AND STAND THERE LOOKING ALL SEXY!

Assisted-suicide is not something that should ever become corporate-owned. Also, all redheads are crazy.

SWEET AND DEMURE MY ASS.

An above average effort, The Hexecutioners delivers the supernatural goods for the most part, even if its two lead actresses are its strongest asset. Both of them were new by us, and they made the movie, which was decent enough on its own, better for their presence.

Give it a rent when you're in the mood for something a bit different.

C+

The Hexecutioners is available now on VOD and DVD.

The movie's two gorgeous angels of death, Liv Collins and Sarah Power.