Writer, director and producer Chris Easterly brings Southern Gothic Crime Drama, Devil’s Hollow to our screens. The genre blend creates a backdrop of otherness and a persistent sense of entrapment as we follow the lives of those who skirt the boundary between lawfulness and crime.
Bobby Hawkins remains under house arrest in his run down ranch. After spending a decade in prison, Bobby tries to remain within the limits of his parole, hoping for a fresh start and to leave the past behind him. Despite this, there forces working to drag Bobby backwards. When he decides to try and reconnect with his estranged daughter, a domino effect is set in motion sending Bobby careering back into the dangers of his previous criminal life. However, this time he isn’t the only one in danger.
Bobby was once part of a group who pulled off a robbery. This landed them all in jail, but Bobby took the fall for most of it which resulted in a far heavier sentence. When he finally emerges from prison, Bobby is horrified to find out that one of the gang, the vicious Harry Casper, is the legal guardian of his daughter. While the other members of the gang have tried to keep on the straight and narrow, Harry has only become more bitter and twisted. He lusts after the money that disappeared, supposedly taken by one of the other gang members. Harry becomes convinced that Bobby is lying and has the money. And so begins a violent and dangerous hostage situation where anyone stepping in the crossfire risks losing their life. Bobby’s daughter becomes a pawn in a game of chicken. Betrayal and murder are rife. But who will emerge ahead, and what will be the cost of their success?
All the elements of Devil’s Hollow complement one another. The location forms the heart of the film and the subsequent aesthetic and narratological components emanate from this central point. From an aesthetic angle, the cinematography and colour grading wonderfully encapsulate the lonely sense of existing on a periphery where nothing feels quite real. Basked in the summer sun, the features of the landscape are captured through stunning establishing shots. Because the film is well grounded in its setting, the audience feel more immersed in the slow-moving yet engaging narrative. With beautiful lighting and cinematography from Nate Spicer and John Stewart, Devil’s Hollow is visually inviting as well as thematically engaging.
The film is exceptionally well cast. Shuler Hensley as Bobby Hawkins portrays the ex-con with depth and sensitivity. His emotionally charged performance ranges from the heights of anger to the depths of despair with fluidity. As the antagonist, Harry Casper, David Dwyer is classically evil, creating a chilling atmosphere whenever he appears on screen. Emma Thorne as Sheriff Gray plays a particularly striking part. Sheriff Gray’s quiet but fearless determination combined with enduing fairness makes for a great character, one that Thorne embodies with great conviction.
The great harmony between elements of the film is extended to the musical score, provided by Eric Mulder. The music flows with and around the narrative, elevating the emotional scenes to new heights.
Watch the trailer below!