Dark Humor Meets Deep Emotion

Read Time:3 Minute, 13 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Hayseed
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Genre: Comedy, Mystery
Year Released: 2022, 2023
Runtime: 1h 45m
Director(s): Travis Burgess
Writer(s): Travis Burgess
Cast: Bill Sage, Ismenia Mendes, Jack Falahee, Nolan North, Caitlin Carver, Marta Piekarz, Kyle Jurassic, Eric Cotti, Kyle Klaus, Amy Hargreaves, Kathryn Morris
Where To Watch: in select theaters November 10, 2023, and On Demand November 21

RAVING REVIEW: HAYSEED welcomes you to a world shrouded in the enigma of a small Michigan town. Here, the line between secrets and truth is clouded in mystery and intrigue. The film introduces a plot with twists and turns and various characters ripe with complexity and intrigue. The movie starts with a whisper of mystery and builds to a symphony of suspense. I was expecting a very indie film experience, and while the film is a smaller production, it doesn’t show it.

Our guide through this maze is Leo Hobbins, a one-time detective turned insurance investigator. His latest case? Investigating the peculiar death of a local Reverend—a puzzle that has the whole town talking. HAYSEED's narrative unfolds like a game of Clue, with every character offering a piece to the mystery. The performances are the film’s backbone—each actor brings their A-game, making most of the film a surprise delight. I read that Director Travis Burgess uses the film as an homage to one of my recent favorite films, KNIVES OUT, and you can feel that!

Kathryn Morris shines by offering more questions than answers, while Nolan North plays a man whose despair paints him into a suspicious corner. The inclusion of Jack Falahee as the handyman with a chip on his shoulder infuses the story with more than a few unanswered moments. Darlene, the church secretary played by Ismenia Mendes has more than a few things to come clean about.

Burgess, the creative mind behind this indie experience, crafts each scene with intent, making you look deeper into every moment. His vision transforms HAYSEED from a simple detective story into a captivating study of small-town America. Although the film's pacing occasionally stumbles, this is a mere ripple in the larger narrative pond.

Tailored not just for detective fans or dark comedy connoisseurs, HAYSEED speaks to a universal audience. It’s a film about the quest for truth in the murky waters of doubt and loss. Burgess and his team have navigated the indie filmmaking maze, delivering a movie that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.

HAYSEED stands out as a film that marries entertainment with introspection. Its concoction of mystery, drama, and fun, laced with unfiltered reality, makes it a distinctive presence in the indie film arena. While there’s always room for polishing, the movie remains a compelling watch, deserving of accolades for its narrative ingenuity and depth of character portrayal.

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[photo courtesy of GOOD DEED ENTERTAINMENT]

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