“THE WEEDHACKER MASSACRE” (2025): A Self-Aware Blend of Horror & Humor

Intro

Courtesy of Buffalo 8 Productions

Horror spoofs have always held a strange but beloved place in the genre. From “Scary Movie” to “Stan Helsing,” these movies let fans laugh at the very tropes they’ve been terrified by for years. A good spoof knows when to wink and when to stab, simply by balancing parody with genuine affection for the genre. I recently had the chance to watch “The Weedhacker Massacre,” directed by Jody Stelzig and written by Ray Spivey, certainly knows its horror roots. Although, much like its fictional film crew within the movie, it sometimes feels like it’s cutting the wrong weeds.

SYNOPSIS & THOUGHTS:

The movie follows a group of actors and filmmakers remaking a terrible horror flick a decade after murders occurred during its original production. The premise itself is clever, a movie within a movie where the chaos behind the scenes mirrors the on-screen slaughter. Unfortunately, the execution often feels like a half-baked homage rather than a sharp satire. The humor leans on obvious gags and horror puns rather than building the kind of manic energy that makes this type of comedy soar. It’s as if someone took all the best bits from “Stan Helsing” out and decided to let the leftovers fend for themselves.

That said, there are moments that work and when they do, they’re genuinely funny. The opening bit featuring a drone shot of a car on a winding road, only to reveal it’s a toy car being pulled by a string before cutting to real footage. It is a perfect example of the movie’s self-aware goofiness. You can tell the filmmakers are in on the joke, and moments like that show flashes of the kind of B-movie brilliance the film aims for.

The cast deserves credit for giving it their all. David Treviño, Molly Sakonchick, Bobbie Grace, Sean Reyna, and Parrish Randall all lean into the absurdity with energy and commitment. Grace, in particular, seems to understand the tone the movie’s reaching for a blend of over-the-top acting and genuine awkwardness that somehow fits. It’s a nice treat to see Allen Danziger, of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” fame, return to the genre as Sheriff Danzinshoos. His presence is a nostalgic wink to horror history, even if his material doesn’t quite live up to his legacy.

Courtesy of Buffalo 8 Productions

Then there’s the masked menace of the movie, Pokerface. Imagine “Leatherface” if he’d raided a Vegas card table and developed a habit of chatting mid-murder. The concept of a killer with playing cards on his mask is certainly memorable, and it’s an oddball visual that fits the movie’s self-parody vibe. Still, much like the rest of the movie, it feels like an idea that could have been developed further. He’s weird, he’s dumbly talkative in the tone of a 80’s idiot jock, and he’s oddly charming in a “why am I watching this?” kind of way.

Unfortunately, the biggest issue with “The Weedhacker Massacre” is that its script and pacing never quite find a rhythm. Some of the dialogue feels forced, the jokes linger too long, and there’s a sense that everyone involved is having more fun making the movie than the audience has watching it. Director Jody Stelzig and writer Ray Spivey clearly had a good time crafting their stoner-slasher satire, but the humor often goes up in smoke before the punchline lands. (See what I did there?)

Courtesy of Buffalo 8 Productions

Still making any movie, especially an independent horror comedy is no easy task. For that alone, the cast and crew deserve recognition. Whether it’s the ridiculous kills, the wobbly one-liners, or the low-budget charm, you can tell there’s genuine passion behind the chaos. While I didn’t personally connect with the movie beyond a few scattered chuckles, I always encourage horror fans to give any movie a shot. You never know what oddball gem you’ll find buried beneath the bad jokes and fake blood.

In the end, “The Weedhacker Massacre” may not be a cut above, but it’s at least a reminder that horror spoofs (no matter how rough) they still have a place in the genre garden. Sometimes you just have to trim away the excess to see what’s growing underneath. The movie is now available on VOD for rent or purchase.

Whether it’s slashers in the woods, ghosts in the attic, or killers in the cornfield, ILHM Reviews brings you the frightful horror flick recommendations worth watching. Follow us on Instagram, be sure to listen to the the "I Love Horror" podcast and remember that if you’re a true fan of horror, every night can be a FRIGHT NIGHT!