Name: Butchers
Genre: Horror
Released: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Simon Phillips, Michael Swatton, Julie Mainville, Anne-Carolyne Binette, James Hicks

The first shot of Adrian Langley’s Butchers (2020) is a close-up of a blood-stained apron, the camera slowly pulling back to reveal a meat cleaver resting on a wooden cutting board. It’s an effective opener, setting the tone for a film that thrives on visceral horror and backwoods terror. Langley, known for his work in low-budget horror, aims to evoke the spirit of classic films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but with a modern twist. Unfortunately, Butchers often feels more like a greatest hits compilation of hillbilly horror tropes than a fresh take on the genre.

At its heart, Butchers is a tale of a sadistic family hiding out in the backcountry, preying on unsuspecting travelers who stumble upon their isolated home. The film follows a group of strangers—including Jenna Simpson (Julie Mainville), Taylor Smythe (Anne-Carolyne Binette), and Mike Crenshaw (James Hicks)—who find themselves at the mercy of the Watson family, led by Owen (Simon Phillips) and Oswald (Michael Swatton). Langley leans heavily into shock value, with scenes of gore and violence that are designed to unsettle. The practical effects are a highlight, particularly in a gruesome sequence involving a makeshift slaughterhouse, where the camera lingers on the grim details, creating an atmosphere of palpable dread.

However, Butchers stumbles when it comes to originality and character development. The Watson family is painted with broad strokes, lacking the depth that could have made them more compelling antagonists. Simon Phillips chews the scenery as Owen, delivering a performance that is more campy than chilling. Michael Swatton fares slightly better as Oswald, bringing a touch of menace to his role, but neither character feels fully realized. The victims fare no better; Jenna and Taylor are underdeveloped, their arcs predictable from the moment they step into the Watson’s lair. Julie Mainville and Anne-Carolyne Binette do what they can with the material, but they are ultimately one-dimensional characters in a story that demands more.

Langley’s direction is competent but uninspired. He relies too heavily on familiar horror tropes, from the isolated setting to the deranged family of killers. The backcountry location, while atmospheric, becomes more of a gimmick than an integral part of the story. Langley attempts to add depth by shifting seasons from winter to summer, but this device feels underutilized, serving more as a backdrop than a narrative tool. The pacing is another issue; Butchers spends too much time setting up the horror, and by the time the real terror begins, it feels like a relief rather than a crescendo.

Where Butchers excels is in its technical aspects. The sound design is particularly effective, using silence and sudden bursts of noise to heighten tension. The score, with its eerie, folk-inspired themes, adds to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. The cinematography is also noteworthy, with Langley utilizing tight close-ups and sweeping wide shots to create a sense of claustrophobia and isolation.

The film’s dialogue is another weak point. Lines like “You’re dead meat” and “Welcome to our family business” are delivered with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. The script, credited to Langley and Daniel Weissenberger, relies too heavily on clichés and one-liners, failing to add any real depth or nuance to the story.

Butchers is not without its moments of genuine terror. A scene in which a character is pursued through a dark, cluttered house is particularly effective, using shadows and sound to create a sense of impending doom. However, these moments are too few and far between, leaving the film feeling more like a series of jump scares than a cohesive horror experience.

Ultimately, Butchers is a film that plays it safe, relying too heavily on tried-and-true horror tropes without adding anything new to the conversation. It’s a serviceable entry in the backwoods horror genre, but one that fails to stand out in a crowded field. Fans of classic horror films will find some enjoyment in its nods to the past, but those looking for something fresh and innovative will likely be disappointed.

Butchers is a film for hardcore horror fans who enjoy the genre’s tropes and are looking for a visceral, if unoriginal, experience. It’s not a film that will change the landscape of horror cinema, but it does offer some genuinely chilling moments and impressive practical effects.