The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

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A family headed for California breaks down in the middle of the desert, near an old nuclear test site. From there, they are attacked by a family (or “pack” as they are referred to in the movie) of mutant cannibals. Afterwards, the movie turns into a sort of “family vs. family” story, mixed with the level of intensity and gore that Wes Craven was usually known to bring, and this is one of the early movies from the late horror master. One of the things I love is that pretty much from the beginning, you get a feeling for the movie’s setting. The desert feels big and empty. The family feels genuine, and, for the most part, they are pretty likable. Craven understands how to let the atmosphere sink in. The movie starts out with showing the aftermath of some of the gorier moments, but showing very little of the titular antagonists. This works because that makes it meaningful when the villains are finally shown in full force. That’s how I know things have just spiraled out of control. The teenage daughter of the mutant family, named Ruby, is the most well-realized character in the movie. There’s this understanding that they set up for the audience. She can be sympathized with. She wants to see the real world, and has grown sick of her family’s actions. Actress Janus Blythe, who plays Ruby, does a damn good job showing that. The cannibals give off the feeling that they are not screwing around. They are committing these heinous acts simply because that’s how they have survived in the desert. There’s a sense of dread present, as you aren’t really sure if the main family that you grow attached to is going to survive the ordeal. The Hills Have Eyes is an exercise in tense brutality in the wake of a potential nuclear fallout, and uses all of its elements to near-perfection. 

10 / 10