Motel Hell (1980)

69% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(6,664 ratings)

People come from far and wide to sample Farmer Vincent's distinctively flavored dried, smoked sausages, but one might well ask why there are so few people staying at his nearby motel. This horror comedy provides the graphic answer. It seems that the good farmer only uses the highest quality,… More People come from far and wide to sample Farmer Vincent's distinctively flavored dried, smoked sausages, but one might well ask why there are so few people staying at his nearby motel. This horror comedy provides the graphic answer. It seems that the good farmer only uses the highest quality, specially processed human meat in his treats. To prepare the meat, he first harvests healthy tourists from his hotel. Next, he plants them into the ground up to their necks and with a sharp knife carefully slices their vocal chords. He and his portly sister then feed the victims until the meat is tender and well marbled with fat. Afterward they are promptly slaughtered, minced with a few secret herbs, and stuffed into sausage casings, which are then carefully aged in the smokehouse. His operation is abruptly cut off when Vincent's normal brother, Bruce, learns about the secret ingredients. In the end, the brothers grab chain saws and have a hilarious, blood-soaked showdown. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Kevin Connor
Written By: Robert Jaffe, Steven-Charles Jaffe
Genres: Horror, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 18, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Aug 27, 2002
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's meant to be weird, campy and funny but settles for being tasteless, gruesomely awkward and moronic.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
People buried up to their necks and raised for food. Yum? A drive-in classic.
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Campy fun that's worth checking in for a visit.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Though there's certainly some fun to be had with a gruesome horror/comedy that doesn't pull punches in either genre, it delivers the goods only sporadically.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
An entire movie based on a verbal punchline
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Never really scary, but gross & funny will have to do.
Collin Souter, eFilmCritic.com
For an insanely silly drive-in horror-comedy with its tongue planted firmly in cheek, Motel Hell has it all.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Motel Hell is a gem of 80's horror sleaze. The premise is quite ridiculous, but is a terrific horror comedy. Directed by Kevin Conner, Motel Hell is one of those films that though is not perfect; should be seen by every horror fan. Motel Hell is pure camp, and if you enjoy cheesy… More
Motel Hell is a gem of 80's horror sleaze. The premise is quite ridiculous, but is a terrific horror comedy. Directed by Kevin Conner, Motel Hell is one of those films that though is not perfect; should be seen by every horror fan. Motel Hell is pure camp, and if you enjoy cheesy horror flicks, then look no further than Motel Hell. This film has it all. What makes this film so enjoyable to watch is the bizarre premise for the films plot. What I enjoyed about Motel Hell was that it was a parody of more serious films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho. Director Kevin Conner definitely delivers good comedic elements here, and it's what makes this film such a memorable viewing. Motel Hell is a must see horror comedy fans. The acting is corny, but despite this, lead actor Rory Calhoun gives one memorable performance as Farmer Vincent. Another performance worthy of mention is that of legendary radio DJ Wolfman Jack as Reverend Billy. As a whole, Motel Hell is a fun, zany and unique horror comedy that like I said needs to be seen. This is mindless silly fun that will appeal to anyone looking for a good horror comedy. The film is more tongue in cheek than anything, but for what it is, it delivers good entertainment. I think that Motel Hell is one of those unique classics that most horror fans have seen, but a great majority of genre fans haven't seen. Either way, this is one of those films that surely every horror fan has heard about. Not a perfect film by any means, Motel Hell is nonetheless essential for every horror fan to watch at least once. A truly unique horror film.
jd c

This definitely would fit under the category "So bad it's good", problem is it's just NOT bad enough. If it was even more over the top and ridiculous it might actually have been funnier. Being that it took it's silliness too seriously it wasn't that… More
This definitely would fit under the category "So bad it's good", problem is it's just NOT bad enough. If it was even more over the top and ridiculous it might actually have been funnier. Being that it took it's silliness too seriously it wasn't that funny...at all. Motel Hell lacked in it's own self-awareness. It wanted to be an intense, scary Texas Chainsaw '74 rip off and a funny-like Three Stooges film at the same time. It didn't mesh well, got lost in transitions, therefore becoming just an average cheesefest and nothing more. The situations and characters showed no signs of reason or rationality (whatsoever), even in their own morbidities, that being ridiculously more over the top would have worked better (Godzilla taking a shit on their farm would have been excusable). A film with so much potential, and lacking in (extreme)humor, becomes flat in the end result. I'm aware of it's cult status, and I would never debunk a fan, but personally I thought this film failed on almost every level. I hope the remake is much better because this is one horror film that should definitely be remade. I give it 2 1/2 stars for the effort and it's intentional, sickening approach to poke fun at the genre. I also liked how it paid homage to certain horror films. But that's about it. Could have been so much better. <a href="http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/HorrorQf/?action=view¤t=MotelHell.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/HorrorQf/MotelHell.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Tim S

Wonderfully psychotic and laugh-out-loud funny.
_kelly .

Re-watched this again a few days ago. Has gotten cheesier with age and I can, for once, see why a remake might be justified as every plot point that isn't gore or grotesque related is flimsy and paperthin. For example, keeping that girl as their sort of "pet", who is… More
Re-watched this again a few days ago. Has gotten cheesier with age and I can, for once, see why a remake might be justified as every plot point that isn't gore or grotesque related is flimsy and paperthin. For example, keeping that girl as their sort of "pet", who is supposed to be the protagonist, is really odd and feels misplaced. The relationship between her and the farmer is not believable because neither actor is trying to sell it. Onto the goodness: the "farmer's" whole process is great. Any scenes with the grounded people are fascinating and funny yet scary. The part which I remembered from childhood, which I still really love today, is when the ground people have escaped and begin their zombie-like descent upon the farmhouse; the lighting is great and it's one of the better examples of making victims frightening to the audience. The chainsaw showdown is great because although illogical to don a pig head mask, it's damn weird and creepy.
Cassandra M

How can anybody not love the campy awfulness of this movie. It's fantastic! I remember seeing this when I was roughly eleven or so and being freaked out by the guy wearing the pigface brandishing a chainsaw, now I just laugh as I realize how funny it all was supposed to be. A… More
How can anybody not love the campy awfulness of this movie. It's fantastic! I remember seeing this when I was roughly eleven or so and being freaked out by the guy wearing the pigface brandishing a chainsaw, now I just laugh as I realize how funny it all was supposed to be. A camp classic all the way!
Lafe F

Great movie poster, great trailer and clips, but it's really a goofy slow movie. There are classic scenes, but the old brother and sister killers just weren't likeable unless they were wearing their pig-heads. They have a strange way of getting their human meat to make… More
Great movie poster, great trailer and clips, but it's really a goofy slow movie. There are classic scenes, but the old brother and sister killers just weren't likeable unless they were wearing their pig-heads. They have a strange way of getting their human meat to make sausages; it's all very complicated. They take in a young girl like a daughter. I wanted there to be so much more gore! There was a great scene where two little girls with pretty dresses and balloons wander into the slaughterhouse. I loved the chainsaw battle at the end. But I wanted this movie to be so much more than the kookie sci-fi comedy it ended up being.
Grifty G

MOTEL HELLo is probably the most contrived name for lodgings since HOTel cORAL esSEX. Rory Calhoun sells the best smoked meats in the county. Only one catch, it's people! PEOPLE! although it has a few effectively disturbing moments, overall this was one of the most boring… More
MOTEL HELLo is probably the most contrived name for lodgings since HOTel cORAL esSEX. Rory Calhoun sells the best smoked meats in the county. Only one catch, it's people! PEOPLE! although it has a few effectively disturbing moments, overall this was one of the most boring horror films I've seen in a long time. Did have a funny last line from Calhoun though...
John M

It contain a little bit of blood and gore and a little enjoyable ending BUT it has couple flaws, the pace is too slow and they seem to forgot that they need to build to a climax. A regular time waster...
Anthony V

Not a horror film, but a dark comedy (notice the tag line- "you might die laughing"). Can be considered one of the first splat-stick comedies. It's humor was heavy influence on the rest of the gore related movies of the 80's. The chainsaw battle at the end is a… More
Not a horror film, but a dark comedy (notice the tag line- "you might die laughing"). Can be considered one of the first splat-stick comedies. It's humor was heavy influence on the rest of the gore related movies of the 80's. The chainsaw battle at the end is a classic of 80's gore cinema.
Nicky M

Oh it's so bad but in that good b-movie way. One of the first horror comedies I remember seeing and that might help this rating but it's still funny, awful, cheesy, and great. It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent's fritters!