2016 film by Trevor Ryan
Welcome to Willits, also known as Alien Hunter, is a 2016 American science fiction comedy horror film directed by Trevor Ryan and starring Bill Sage, Sabina Gadecki, Anastasia Baranova, Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Dekker, Chris Zylka, Serge Levin, Garrett Clayton and Rory Culkin.[2][3][4][5]
Plot
Deep in the Northern California woods, in the heart of the notorious Emerald Triangle, lies a remote cabin. Brock (Bill Sage) is a marijuana farmer and methamphetamine user/dealer in the area who believes his farms have been invaded by aliens. Sage's paranoia continues to grow, which may be PTSD from a past alien abduction and torture.[6] In his spare time, Brock watches the police procedure TV show "Fists of Justice", starring Dolph Lundgren as a violent policeman.
Other residents of the area are allegedly suffering from attacks from mysterious creatures.
When Brock catches a wayward group of young campers on his land, he hallucinates the campers into aliens and the situation quickly escalates into total carnage.[7]
Production
Development
An adaptation of the sci-fi/horror short "Welcome to Willits: After Sundown."[8]
The first film was made by the Ryans. Filmed in Louisiana, Los Angeles, and Willits, California.[9]
Reception
Critical response
The Los Angeles Times found the film promising with loopy energy, but finally the movie was unfocused. They found the film promising enough to hope for more efforts from the filmmakers.[10]
The Horror Society praised the film, finding it amazingly original. They praised the dialogue and the effects.,[11][unreliable source?]
Rue Morgue far preferred the short the film is based on, ridiculing the long version for "obnoxious characters, awful pacing and some of the worst practical/special effects that’s ever been produced."[12]
Dread Central praised the film, finding it one of the best independent horror films of the year.[13]
