I first saw Tucker and Dale vs Evil with my husband a few years ago, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much beyond the usual horror-comedy mix. But something about it just hit differently. I found myself laughing way more than I thought I would, I’ve enjoyed stuff like Shaun of the Dead (2004) that one’s a classic for a reason. The humor sneaks up on you, especially with how everything spirals so ridiculously out of control. It sort of pays homage to a few films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre [1974], Wrong Turn [2003], and The Cabin in the Woods [2011]. It was directed by Eli Craig (Clown in a Cornfield [2025]) who also wrote the screenplay with Morgan Jurgenson and came to limited theaters in 2011 from Magnet Releasing.

Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine

Hillbillies Tucker (Alan Tudyk (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter [2012]) and Dale (Tyler Labine (Escape Room [2019])) who are on their way to their “vacation home” (which is more like a shack/old cabin) and stop to get supplies when they run into some college kids who are very freaked out by them as they are your stereotypical, snobbish, looks down on anyone that’s not like them. Tucker & Dale decide to go fishing and see one of the girls, Allison (Katrina Bowden (Great White [2021])) going for a swim, but awkwardly falls and hits her head on a rock and Dale rescues her. The group thinks she’s been kidnapped so the leader Chad (Jesse Moss (13 Eerie [2013])) convinces the rest they need to rescue from what they perceive is hell.

Chelan Simmons, Jesse Moss, Brandon Jay McLaren, Alex Arsenault, Christie Laing, and Joseph Allan Sutherland

Allison wakes up the next day and realizes Tucker and Dale are the nicest guys and gets to know Dale more and convinces them everything is OK and to let her friends know. In the meantime, Tucker is doing work outside and saws into a tree with a chainsaw and encounters a bees nest and get stung and runs from them just as Mitch (Adam Beauchesne) comes along and then impales himself on a tree branch. Next attempt to attack the duo is Todd (Alexander Arsenault) who brings a spear shaped stick, trips and impales himself as well. Finally, we have the funniest scene of Mike (Joseph Sutherland) who falls into a wood chipper. Soon, Chuck (Travis Nelson (Embrace of the Vampire [2013])) returns with the Sheriff (Phillip Granger (To Die For [1988])) who accidentally kids killed by leaning on a beam inside their cabin. So, of course Chad and the gang believe that  the hillbilly duo are on a murdering spree and on the flip side Tucker and Dale think the college kids have suicide pact – quite humorous.

Philip Granger

Chad eventually gets into their “home” and starts attacking them and Allison tries to stop him and soon the remaining kids Naomi (Christie Laing), Chloe (Chelan Simmons (Malibu Shark Attack [2008])), and Jason (Brandon Jay McLaren (Scar [2007])) are blown up when Chad lights the cabin on fire. Chad kidnaps Allison taking her to abandoned sawmill it’s there we find out that he’s part hillbilly. In the end the reporters show up and explain this is all a murder suicide committed by deranged college students.

Katrina Bowden and Tyler Labine

This movie definitely shows that you don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Tucker and Dale are the nicest guys but their appearance made people think they’re just deranged hillbillies. The acting was superb, which made the film and brought all emotions. I highly recommend this film to anyone that likes horror comedies.

TAGLINES:

• This Year Spring Break is Cut Short!
• The perfect love story… with a high body count…
• When up against pure evil…just give’er.
• Evil just messed with the wrong hillbillies.

IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

3C Rating: 7.5/10