The Midnight Horror: 'The Hexecutioners' (2015)

♰ Welcome to The Midnight Horror! ♰

Here I am, a bit tardy again—no excuses, at least none I’ll readily admit to. I've squandered enough time already, so let’s venture into today’s review of a low-budget horror flick: The Hexecutioners. This 2015 Canadian production, directed by the audacious Jesse Thomas Cook and penned by Tony Burgess, boasts a cast including Liv Collins, Sarah Power, Timothy Burd, Ari Millen, Barry Flatman, Walter Borden, Boyd Banks, and, of course, Burgess himself as Milo Somborac. Unlike the other Midnight Horrors I’ve dissected this month, The Hexecutioners has been whispered about in hushed tones by horror aficionados over the years, so naturally, I felt compelled to investigate.

Picture this: three years have passed since the government casually waved through Proposition 17—a bill that greenlights assisted suicides in private medical establishments. Our protagonist, a financially-strapped twenty-something named Madison McCourt (Liv Collins), stumbles into a job at a leading private euthanasia clinic dubbed Life Source Closures. Talk about a way to pay the bills! She’s tasked with shadowing Olivia Bletcher (performed with gravitas by Sarah Power), one of the clinic’s seasoned death administrators. They’re dispatched to a desolate estate to meet their latest terminal client, Milo Somborac (Tony Burgess). Amidst a ritual where they read from the Tibetan Book of the Dead—decent bedtime reading, right?—they inadvertently awaken the vengeful spirits of a Death Cult that once roamed the premises. And just like that, the evening takes a sharp turn into nightmare territory, proving that Milton's "death is the end" may not be quite so absolute.

Kudos to the director for pouring his heart into this film rather than just clocking in and out for a paycheck. The ensemble delivered commendable performances—some shone brighter than others, but collectively, they conjured an atmosphere that kept me engaged. There are plenty of twists and turns, though not all of them are smooth or logical. I chalk it up to the filmmakers’ desire to leave the audience in a swirling abyss of questions and curiosity, even when the credits roll.

Bravo to them; I was charmed, enthralled, and thoroughly entertained—precisely what I seek in any horror yarn. A few brain cells may have felt bruised by the end, but such is the delicious price of delving into the dark and peculiar. And hey, isn't that the thrill of it all? So, grab your popcorn, turn down the lights, and prepare for an evening of gothic intrigue with The Hexecutioners. After all, we may just be one twisted tale away from understanding the deeper mysteries of life and, of course, death. ╌★★★★✰

〜B.J. Burgess