recommended

Excellent but underrated film

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Released in January, 2002, and written/directed by Jeff Leroy, "Hell's Highway" is a cheap slasher about two couples traveling through Death Valley to the California coast where they pick up a hitchhiker from hell (Phoebe Dollar). Havoc ensues. The infamous Ron Jeremy is featured in a glorified cameo. "Hell's Highway" proves that an ultra-low budget doesn't mean a movie can't be expertly entertaining. Yes, some of the gory parts are cheesy (while others are pretty impressive) and the miniature sets are obvious, but both are serviceable (and somewhat charming) and keep the story flowing. Viewing the trailer, I thought this was going to be a horror comedy, but it's not; it's essentially a serious slasher with campy elements – particularly Phoebe as the over-the-top nefarious hitchhiker – and cheesy effects. Jeff Leroy shows his genius in that "Hell's Highway" is adept filmmaking and genuinely entertaining DESPITE the obvious cheapness of it all. Without Phoebe in the key role, however, it wouldn't be half as effective as it is. She's not blow-your-mind beautiful or anything, but she has a unique look and there's something alluring about her demeanor, not to mention she has curves in all the right places. Beverly Lynne (Monique), with her conventional "hot blond" look, can't hold a candle to her (she has an unnecessary softcore sex scene, for anyone who might be offended). Kiren David, as Sarah, is the third main female in the cast and is a convincing actress. Actually, all the main cast members take the material seriously and offer respectable performances. The score/soundtrack didn't do much for me, unfortunately. This is a movie that needs a few rockin' numbers. The last act features a couple of creative twists in the story and shows that Leroy put some time into the script. The film has no filler at a mere 70 minutes and looks like it was shot in Southern California.GRADE: B or B- (6.5/10)

I bought this movie at a used movie store (luckily it was cheap), thinking it would be another good road terror movie, like The Hitcher. Hell's Highway was pathetic. It looks like it was filmed with a home video camera, the special effects were painfully fake, and the plot was very boring. The picture quality is incredibly bad. The acting was lame, and it seemed like all the cast knew how to do was smoke pot, like they were doing for most of the movie. It reminded me of something a bunch of high school kids threw together. Don't waste your time. Watch a good "road horror" movie like The Hitcher or Joy Ride instead. Quicksilver Highway is much better.

another bad movie, from another bad movie company...but, this is not a bad thing, i love bad movies. this one though, i would love to see on mst3k...with joel, he's funnier than mike, but, anyway. good amusement, enough blood to keep one entertained for awhile. and, surprisingly, had an ending i did not expect.

What can I say, what can I say?? "Hell's Highway" is a piece of art. Well, not really but, then again, it was not meant to be. This is a straight to video movie about four friends traveling from PA to CA, who meet up with a "sexy thang" who just might be the devil herself, himself, itself...?? Look past the Matchbox Cars and the horrible effects(personally I liked the feel they bring to this movie), and what you get is no better or no worse then any other straight to video horror movie you have ever seen. With an ending that caught me off guard and, hold your breath, makes sense!@#, some decent acting, eye candy for both the men and the women, and a short enough running time to hold one's interest, you can do a lot worse then "Hell's Highway". P.S.- As a side note, these film makers obviously have an affection for what horror movies once were, the gratuitous nudity and all out gore show it!*** 1/2 out of *****