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Axeman 2: Overkill
USA 2016
produced by Joston Theney, Christopher Otiko (executive) for Blood Red Films, #Sinning Works
directed by Joston Theney
starring Farrah Abraham, Rachel Reilly, Angelica Bridges, Arielle Brachfeld, Bryan Clark, Monique Parent, Craig Partamian, Jacqui Holland, Maria Olsen, Arielle Hader, Edward Gusts, Allen Merritt, Linda Wong, Phil Foster, Hannah Landberg, Michael Wayne Foster, Joston Theney, Kailena Mai, Whitney Nielsen, Alisha Seaton, Christopher Crabb, Spoon Alexander, Jason Bonell, Peter Stickles, Michael Shaun Sandy, Glen Ratcliffe, Joseph Floccari, Rick Williamson, Eli G., Nora J. Novak
written by Joston Theney, Christopher Otiko (contributing), special makeup effects by Eli G.
Axeman
review by Mike Haberfelner
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A quarted of biblethumpers (Farrah Abraham, Arielle Hader, Edward
Gusts, Allen Merritt) try to make their way through Cutter's Creek,
location of the "legendary" Axeman killings from 30 years ago
when they happen upon badly wounded and traumatized Tammy (Kailena Mai),
who they drag with them to the next cabin ... that's unfortunately also
the headquarters of a gang of bankrobbers led by Bird (Craig Partamian)
looking for their loot that has been dropped off somewhere in the area. So
quite obviously, tensions soon unfold and people end up dead - but that's
not the worst, as neither of the two groups actually know that the Axeman
(Bryan Clark) has returned for the anniversary and has decided to do some
more gruesome killings to mark the occasion. Meanwhile, back in town,
deputy Darlene (Arielle Brachfeld) organizes a search party to track down
the Axeman, even if neither she nor any of the locals are really qualified
for the job - plus she learns about a dark family secret that somehow
links her to the Axeman in a way she's not fond of. Soon of course, things
come to a head ... and when they do, they really come to a head ... Quite
a few fan faves in this one: Monique Parent plays Darlene's mother, Maria
Olsen her right hand woman, and Jacqui Holland turns in a batshit crazy
performance as Bird's maniac moll. Ok, I will admit, Axeman
2: Overkill is a bit over-convoluted, and in all honesty, not all
subplots totally gel or get resolved - but that's not only a bad thing, as
the complex, genre-bending story keeps the film from being just another
slasher movie and/or a mere rehash of the original Axeman,
and the movie's many colourful (and invariably deeply flawed) characters
really make this one fun to watch. But slasher or not, Axeman 2
does have all the gruesome killings in all the right places, and rates
high on the tension and suspense meter. Plus, it's quite simply loads of
fun!
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