The Hornet's Sting and the Hell It's Caused

Director - Dustin Mills (Kill That Bitch, Snuffet)
Starring - Joni Durian (Haunted House on Sorority Row), Allison Egan (Skinless), and Minnie Grey (Easter Casket)
Release Date - 2014
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Kidnapped. Humiliated. De-humanized"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Director Dustin Mills is an indie force like no other releasing amazing film after amazing film. His film's single-handedly changed the way I look, not just indie horror, but indie cinema as a whole.   He has shown time and time again that budget does not dictate talent by releasing films that are not only entertaining but they are also visually stunning.  If you have not seen Bath Salt Zombies, Kill That Bitch, and Easter Casket then I suggest you stop reading this review and check them out as soon as possible.  Last year Mills announced he was starting a second production company that would feature films that were a lot darker and visceral.  This second production company, Crumpleshack Films, has released several underground horror hits like Her Name Was Torment and Snuffet.  Towards the end of last year Mills released The Hornet's Sting and the Hell It's Caused and I was unable to land myself a copy until now.  

     The film follows photographer Rose (Grey).  Rose specializes in bondage photography with clients spread out all over the world, however, her bondage specialty does not end with ball-gags and handcuffs.  Her photographs depict models that are forced to model nude and then they are tortured and eventually murdered for her clientele.  Rose meets a beautiful young lady named Freya (Durian) who is a closeted lesbian looking to hook up.  Rose strips her down and ties her up before she tortures her a little.  Rose stops the torture to answer an important business phone call before she returns to finish her photo shoot but Freya is a survivor and refuses to die easily.  She chews off her finger and when Rose returns she attacks her and puts the sadistic beauty to death. 

     One of the many things that I love about a Mills' flick is that the cinematography is always beautiful.  Each film, regardless of how graphic and gory, is always beautifully shot and choreographed resulting in films that are nothing less that modern art.  THSatHiC is another moving masterpiece from the mind of Mills' that will not be forgotten anytime soon.  The acting in this one is very intense even compared to the other films from the mind of Mills.  The victims, many nameless with no real back story given, are all portrayed perfectly by an amazing cast consisting on indie royalty and Mills' regulars.  Joni Durian, Allison Egan, Minnie Grey, and Dave Parker have been in several other Mills' films and have made a name for themselves among the horror community and this film clearly shows why Mills continues to cast them in his flicks.  Each cast member went above and beyond to make their roles believable and it shows.  It is also amazing how demanding their roles were and how they all were able to stay in character.  Major kudos to this cast.  The story for this one is a little less detailed than what we are accustomed to coming from Mills.  The story of a young bondage photographer torturing and killing for profit and sexual desire is rather flat but that does not make it less as disturbing.  The film, in the world of horror, is not that original but it is the first I have seen for a very long time that jolted a nerve.  Very few filmmakers can take a story and add so much dimension and tension to a scene and Mills has that down perfectly.  Finally, the film does feature several on screen kills but they are nothing that bloody and memorably.  The point of this film is to not show explicit scenes of torture and gore, but to give the viewer a beautiful film that has beautiful women in situations that are considered taboo by the masses.  The film also features some great practical effects.  Overall, The Hornet's Sting and the Hell It's Caused is another superb film from indie filmmaker Dustin Mills. The film is unnerving, sexy, and beautifully shot.  The story is weak but Mills makes up for it with a great dialogue and tension.  Check this one out!