BOYS FROM COUNTY HELL is a new horror film on Shudder that features a lot of dark comedy. However, be warned: this isn't your typical horror comedy like Shaun of the Dead or even Happy Death Day.

Instead, there are several gloomy and tragic moments in this Shudder installment. There's also some comedy thrown in for good measure! Boys from Country Hell is, without a doubt, a vampire novel. It also takes place in a small town best known for being Bram Stoker's birthplace. You know, the Dracula author. It is, in reality, the biggest tourist attraction in a town with little else to offer.

Unfortunately, all the Vampire rules you know from various movies do not really apply here. Something the people in the town learn when confronted with vampires. An ancient Irish vampire is awakened and all hell breaks loose.

Actually, much of the comedy does come from the characters learning that they have no idea what to do. They try all the classic “how to kill a vampire” myths, but it’s just not that easy.

Great casting all around

The cast of Boys from County Hell is really spot-on in all aspects. We have Jack Rowan as the main protagonist, Eugene Moffat, who tries to do the right thing but tends to miss his mark a bit. Playing his dad, Francie Moffat, we have Nigel O’Neill (Game of Thrones) who delivers a stellar performance as well.

He has some great one-liners and continues to surprise. I will say that I am very happy that subtitles were available since I’m not very strong in Irish slang and expressions. Sure, you can guess most of it, but definitely not everything.

Also in the cast is the brilliant Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) and Fra Fee, who will be in the upcoming Marvel series Hawkeye. Finally, I have to mention John Lynch, who you might know from The Fall or The Terror series. Also, we recently saw him in the HBO series The Head and the Shudder movie The Banishing.

Watch Boys from County Hell on Shudder

Chris Baugh is the writer and director of Boys from County Hell. It’s based on a story he came up with along with Breandan Mullin which was made into a short film back in 2013. They also co-wrote the crime action drama Bad Day for the Cut (2017) which was also directed by Chris Baugh.

From the short film to the 2017 feature film and now this Shudder addition, all productions have rather impressive IMDb user ratings. If the other movies are anywhere near the level of this one, then I can certainly see why.

If you enjoy character-driven horror movies with solid timing when it comes to both scares and laughs, then do check out Boys from County Hell on Shudder. Especially if you’re also a fan of vampire movies. This one has quite a lot going for it!

Boys from County Hell is out on Shudder on April 22, 2021.