Horror Favourites – Hayden Hewitt

Receiving 4.5 out of 5 from our reviewer Erica Vilkus Cara set Pigeon Shine FrightFest on fire last year at its sold out performance. Directed by Hayden Hewitt this gore-filled psychological horror is now avalible for everyone to enjoy, so we caught up with the man behind the amazing movie.

Starring Elle O’Hara (Memories of Another, When Darkness Falls) as the eponymous Cara – a young woman whose world is spiralling out of control. Haunted by her traumatic past, she lives with a mentally unstable roommate and struggles with a failed career as an online sex worker. Her father is unable to communicate, while her well-meaning mother offers little support. But above all, Cara is consumed by a terrifying belief that there’s a conspiracy to send her back to the harrowing institution.

With James Dreyfus (House of the Dragon, Notting Hill), Laurence R. Harvey (The Human Centipede 2, Mannequin) Michaela Longden (Book of Monsters, Coronation Street), Julie Hannan (Supernova, Shetland) and Johnny Vivash (Contact, How to Kill Monsters, Walking Against the Rain) this jaw-dropping feature debut by writer-director Hewitt demands to be seen.

Below Hayden Hewitt gives us his Top 5 horror films of all time:

“Not all of my favourite films are horror but most of the films which are very special to me definitely are. This isn’t a top five – because that’s TOO difficult – but here are just a few of the movies I love and which probably helped shape me (so it’s their fault!).

Martin – Not my favourite Romero film but quite possibly his best. There’s not much I don’t love about Martin which packs quite a bit into its story of a young man who thinks he’s a vampire. Social decay, the clash of the modern world and the past, the difference between fantasy and reality. It’s just a wonderful film and the ending takes what would be a pretty dreadful way to die and handles it in such a downbeat and almost businesslike manner that it takes your breath away. Wonderful!

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 – Okay, I know. The original is a nailed on classic of the genre. Groundbreaking, intense, so very sweaty! But this dialled up to 11, wide eyed on coke sequel just ticks all the boxes for me. From its frantic opening to the duel between Leatherface and a very excitable Dennis Hopper there’s little not to love.

The Toxic Avenger – I really don’t think Troma films get as much love as they deserve. Low budget exploitation cinema without pretension. They’re honest, sometimes very grubby, films which are so easy to watch even if you’re not baked. I could have chosen Troma’s War, Tromeo and Juliet, or Terror Firmer or… the list goes on. I do have a very soft spot in my heart for chemically deformed superheroes who wear a tutu though so I have to go with Toxie.

Zombie Flesheaters – A lot of folks might go with The Beyond but I think Flesheaters was Fulci at his horror best. A (mostly) coherent plot and some superb make up effects combine to make a film I can enjoy repeatedly without ever getting fed up with it. Not to mention we all need some Conquistador zombie action in our life! This film is so steeped in nostalgia for me, reminding me of a time during my formative years which leaves me looking vaguely happy when I watch it, even when Olga Karlatos gets that big splinter right the way in her eye.

Day of the Dead – My favourite Romero film (only getting in front of Dawn by a nose!). So dark and angry with state of the art effects, some serious scenery chewing and introducing us to a zombie that people will actually do an impression of when you ask them how a zombie acts even if they’ve never seen the film. I know it wasn’t the film Romero wanted to make but it’s such a taught story, with pinpoint direction and sharp editing.. I’ve seen this film more times than could possibly be healthy and it’s never lost its shine.”

Cara is on digital on now from Reel 2 Reel Films and you can read our review HERE