“The Hermit” follows Lisa and Eric whose vacation spirals into a nightmare when they must fight for their lives against a cannibal pig farmer.
A Nonlinear Nightmare
Told in nonchronological order, “The Hermit” centers on its main character recounting events through an interview-style format. Because of this, the story flashes back and forth between the past and present.
This approach hinders the film in more ways than one. First, it relies too heavily on narration. “The Hermit” is packed with dialogue that feels unnecessary and redundant, spelling out narrative details that don’t always require explanation. Second, it hurts the pacing. Even with an 86-minute runtime, the movie struggles to remain consistently compelling.
Much like with the recent “The Strangers” trilogy, sometimes in horror films too much lore can be a bad thing. By providing backstory for both the main characters and the antagonist, the film spends too much of its brief runtime on exposition.
Even as “The Hermit” enters its final act, momentum never truly arrives.
Tonal Whiplash
The lore within “The Hermit” also feels slightly derivative. The killer resembles Jason Voorhees from the “Friday the 13th” series in that his motivations tie back to his mother. The film does introduce new twists to the clichés, inserting both comedic (Hermit Jerky) and darker (cannibalistic) elements.
Because of this, the movie never achieves tonal consistency. “The Hermit” carries a very unserious vibe with a glossy coating that never allows the terror to fully break through. More often than not, the characters on screen feel like caricatures. Even the score is too upbeat for some of the film’s most brutal moments.
A cannibal pig farmer sounds scary. It isn’t here.
For those who stumble upon “The Hermit,” the conclusion will likely prove polarizing. The film attempts to surprise viewers. Instead, it underwhelms. By shifting in an entirely new direction, the finale ultimately makes the earlier events feel less purposeful.
Director Salvatore Sclafani tries to blend multiple genres with comedy, horror and drama all colliding in “The Hermit.” They never fully merge into a cohesive experience. The movie ultimately feels like puzzle pieces that refuse to fit together. Because of that, no finished image remains once it ends.
Performances and Practical Effects
Malina Weissman (Lisa) delivers a committed performance in the lead role. Through her narration of traumatic events, she brings quiet, subtle emotion to the character. At the same time, she adds just enough unhinged energy to make Lisa memorable.
Lou Ferrigno (The Hermit) is intimidating as well. While he speaks very little, Ferrigno remains frightening simply by looming over everyone else.
For fans of carnage candy, “The Hermit” offers plenty. While some noticeable CGI slips into the mix, many of the kills feature solid practical effects.
“The Hermit” is an experiment. The format will likely prove odd for general audiences, but indie horror fans may still find it watchable.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
