This Way To Hell (2023) is a dark, psychological horror film that plunges viewers into a nightmarish maze of guilt, redemption, and damnation. Directed by emerging talent Ava Romero, the movie blends supernatural dread with real-world trauma to create a haunting meditation on the consequences of our darkest choices.
The story centers on Alex, a troubled young man burdened by a tragic past. Haunted by memories of a fatal accident he feels responsible for, Alex’s life has been a downward spiral of isolation and self-loathing. When he receives a mysterious invitation to a clandestine gathering called “The Last Rite,” curiosity and desperation push him into a surreal realm where the boundaries between life, death, and the afterlife blur.
Alex soon discovers that “The Last Rite” is no ordinary event. It is a liminal space where lost souls are forced to confront their sins before moving on — or being condemned forever. The setting is an abandoned church, eerie and oppressive, lit only by flickering candles and stained-glass shadows. As the night unfolds, Alex and other attendees encounter terrifying manifestations of their regrets, fears, and failures.
The film’s horror is psychological, with elements of body horror and surrealism. Distorted faces, shifting architecture, and relentless, oppressive darkness keep the tension tight and unpredictable. The narrative unfolds like a puzzle, gradually revealing how each character’s personal hell is shaped by their choices, regrets, and denial.
Alex’s journey is both personal and universal — a reckoning with guilt, forgiveness, and the possibility of salvation. The film asks: Can one face their past honestly and find peace, or are some sins too heavy to bear? The answer is never clear, and that ambiguity adds to the film’s lingering unease.
Visually, This Way To Hell uses shadow and light masterfully. The abandoned church becomes a character itself — a place where time fractures and memories bleed into reality. The soundtrack is minimalistic but haunting, with moments of silence punctuating sudden bursts of disturbing sound.
Some viewers may find the pacing slow, as the film leans heavily into atmosphere and character study rather than jump scares or fast action. But for those drawn to introspective horror and existential themes, This Way To Hell offers a deeply unsettling experience.
The performances, especially by lead actor Jordan Reyes, bring authenticity to the film’s emotional weight. The supporting cast each embody different shades of despair and hope, making the shared journey through this purgatory feel intimate and real.
In conclusion, This Way To Hell is a somber, thought-provoking horror that explores the thin line between punishment and redemption. It’s not just a story about what scares us from outside — but the demons we carry inside.
