Review published 21st June 2026
Watch the official trailer.
Mardi Gras Swamp Tour Setup and Haunted Adventure Beginning
Best friends Ben (Joel David Moore), and Marcus (Deon Richmond) are excited to be in New Orleans for the chaos and excitement of Mardi Gras. While Marcus is hoping to party and meet women, it quickly becomes clear that Ben is not interested in the celebrations or the nightlife. Having recently gone through a painful breakup, Ben finds himself drawn instead to something far more unusual- a haunted swamp tour. At first, Marcus shows little interest in the idea, preferring to continue enjoying the Mardi Gras festivities. He eventually warms to the suggestion, largely out of support for his best friend and Ben’s fascination with all things spooky and creepy.
Haunted Swamp Tour, Victor Crowley Legend and Rising Terror
They first visit Reverend Zombie, played by Tony Todd, but because of a past legal issue, Reverend Zombie no longer runs the famous tour Ben had hoped to take. Instead, the kind Reverend suggests visiting a nearby store known for offering various swamp tours. It is not long until Ben and Marcus meet Shawn, played by Parry Shen, the proud owner of a voodoo store who offers to take the pair out at night alongside several other tourists eager for a spooky adventure. Ben pays in cash, and the group travels by bus before continuing by small boat deep into the swamp. As the tour progresses, the group begin hearing various eerie tales and local legends, with one story in particular standing out: the horrifying tale of Victor Crowley. However, as night falls and the tour continues, somebody or something begins brutally slaughtering members of the group while strange and unexplained sightings start to occur. Could there be a serial killer lurking within the wilderness, or could the terrifying legend of Victor Crowley actually be real?
Hatchet Franchise Overview and Creative Team
Hatchet is a slasher horror film written and directed by Adam Green, whose previous work includes Frozen (2010) and Digging Up the Marrow (2014). Hatchet became so popular and well-received that it eventually spawned multiple sequels, including Hatchet II, Hatchet III and the final instalment, Victor Crowley. Throughout the franchise, Adam Green directed and wrote Hatchet, Hatchet II and Victor Crowley, while also serving as a writer on Hatchet III, with BJ McDonnell taking over directing duties.
Hatchet Horror Style, Influences and Iconic Cameos
Hatchet is a genuinely fun horror film, with its playful, over-the-top energy continuing throughout the runtime. It is also very clear that the film draws heavy inspiration from classic horror films, which adds to its charm for longtime genre fans. As an added bonus and a surprise to me on my first watch, the film also features several cameos from iconic horror actors, including the film’s villain Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder), best known for portraying Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th franchise.
Hatchet Atmosphere, Gore and Character Weaknesses
The plot itself is simple, but that works perfectly fine for this style of horror film, and the dark wilderness and swamp setting adds a fantastic atmosphere to the experience. It should also be noted that if you are a fan of gruesome kills, excessive blood splatter, and practical gore effects, Hatchet is bound to leave you smiling. While the storyline is simplistic, I cannot deny that it certainly takes its time before our leads discover Victor Crowley and the bodies begin to drop. On top of this, it pains me to say that the leading characters and heroes are quite weak, silly, and far from the brightest group in the horror genre, making it easy for audiences to feel unfazed when certain deaths occur.
Hatchet Overall Review, Gore Filled Slasher and Victor Crowley Legacy
Overall, Hatchet is a wildly fun slasher packed with over-the-top kills, gruesome effects and an impressive amount of blood splatter. One of my favourite aspects was the unexpected appearances from iconic horror legends throughout the film, which caught me completely off guard on my first watch and added even more to the fun, playful nature of the experience. The characters are admittedly a mixed bag, with many of them acting silly, making questionable choices and at times feeling intentionally unlikable, but the film’s murderous villain more than makes up for it. Victor Crowley is brutal, memorable and full of personality, and it’s easy to see why horror fans demanded more from the franchise after this first entry.
Hatchet (2006) will be available on 4K UHD from August 26th thanks to Umbrella
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
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