Always read your HOA contract, because what you don’t know could hurt you, and in the case of “Hold the Fort,” that can be taken quite literally. Writer/Director William Bagley (“The Murder Podcast”) dials up the horrors of suburban living in this fast-paced horror-comedy that packs just enough charm and laughs to make for an entertaining 75 minutes.
The cast is led by Chris Mayers (“Ozark”) and Haley Leary (“Spookt”), who play Lucas and Jenny, a young couple who think their lives are finally coming together when they buy their first home in an idyllic suburban neighborhood. Unfortunately for them, things aren’t quite what they seem, and had they read the HOA contract, they would have known that each year on the equinox they’d be called to the community clubhouse to help fend off hordes of monsters that spew from a nearby hellmouth. Worse yet, the equinox falls just days after their arrival, meaning their first real chance to get to know their neighbors will be spent trying to survive the night.
The siege on the clubhouse plays out almost like a video game. The monsters arrive in waves, with each faction proving tougher than the last and requiring its own unique method of disposal. Witches aren’t immune to bullets, silver takes care of the Werewolves, and kung-fu zombies must be impaled with a peach wood sword.
While much of the neighborhood meets an early demise due to Lucas’ ineptitude, what remains after the first couple of waves is a core group of neighbors who serve as the comedic backbone and heart of the film: Jerry (Julian Smith), the uptight HOA president; Ted (Levi Burdick) and Annette (Michelle L. Lamb), longtime residents and veterans of the equinox; and McScruffy (Hamid-Reza Benjamin Thompson), the gun-for-hire brought in each year to secure the clubhouse.
The group dynamic here is excellent, with each actor contributing to the film’s charm. Mayers plays the naive Lucas frustratingly well; as the body count mounts thanks to his inability to follow directions, you’ll find yourself rooting for the monsters—if only for the sake of his companions. Burdick is a standout, bringing equal parts humor and heart to the role of Ted, who delivers ridiculous one-liners one moment and heartfelt pep talks the next. He also shows a devotion to his wife that adds a touch of sweetness to a film otherwise built for laughs.
Both the practical and digital effects are a pleasant surprise. Each wave of monsters feels authentic to the world, and the creature work in particular is impressive—especially the design of the witches, a werewolf, and the film’s unique antagonist, the “Stick Man.”
“Hold the Fort” is a movie where the plot is just a vehicle to get you from point A to point B, the cast is likable enough to root for, and the end product is pure entertainment. Of course, your mileage will depend heavily on whether its brand of humor lands. The film favors one-liners, puns, physical gags, and over-the-top personalities, so if those aren’t your thing, you might want to find a different neighborhood to haunt this weekend.
Where to watch “Hold the Fort”:
