The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Review in 2025
A family on a road trip gets stranded in the desert and must fight for survival against a family of mutants.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
No, this movie is not suitable for family viewing due to its graphic violence, gore, and mature themes.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching for fans of horror and thriller genres, but it's not suitable for family viewing due to its graphic content. It's best enjoyed in theaters or on a streaming platform with a strong stomach.
Spoiler Alert!
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The Carter family, consisting of Bob, Ethel, and their three children, are on a road trip to California when their car breaks down in the desert. They soon discover that they are not alone, as they are being stalked by a family of mutants who have been living in the desert for years. The mutants, led by a grotesque and violent father, begin to attack the Carters, and the family must fight for survival in a desperate bid to escape the desert alive.
Review Details
story7.00/10
The story is engaging and suspenseful, but it lacks originality and has some predictable moments. The plot is well-structured, but the characters are somewhat one-dimensional.
acting4.00/10
The acting is not impressive, and the actors struggle to convey emotion. The dialogue is sometimes cheesy and unnatural.
characters5.00/10
The characters are not well-developed, and the actors' performances are not impressive. The characters' motivations and actions are sometimes hard to understand.
direction7.00/10
Wes Craven's direction is effective in creating tension and suspense, but the pacing is sometimes slow. The camera work is decent, but the editing could be improved.
cinematography6.00/10
The cinematography is decent, but the desert landscapes are not particularly impressive. The lighting is sometimes poor, and the color palette is muted.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The movie has a suspenseful atmosphere, and the tension builds up effectively. The special effects are decent, and the mutants are creepy.
Cons
The story is predictable, and the characters are not well-developed. The acting is not impressive, and the dialogue is sometimes cheesy.
Notable Quotes
"Get out of here, you're not going to make it."
"I don't know what's worse, the mutants or the desert."
"We're not going to make it, are we?"
