See No Evil

See No Evil (2006): Brutal Slasher Horror with a Relentless Killer

See No Evil, released in 2006 and directed by Gregory Dark, is a gritty slasher film that marked WWE Studios' first foray into horror cinema. Starring professional wrestling icon Glenn “Kane” Jacobs as the monstrous killer Jacob Goodnight, the film delivers exactly what it promises: brutal kills, creepy atmosphere, and a relentless, near-supernatural villain. While it follows many conventions of the slasher genre, it stands out for its grim tone, violent execution, and Kane’s terrifying physical presence.

The film’s premise is simple and rooted in classic horror tradition. A group of juvenile delinquents is sent on a work-release program to help clean up the long-abandoned Blackwell Hotel, under the supervision of police officer Frank Williams (Steven Vidler). Unbeknownst to them, the crumbling hotel is home to a sadistic killer who stalks the halls, killing intruders with a giant meat hook and gouging out their eyes — a twisted form of punishment based on religious obsession and past trauma.

Jacob Goodnight is a silent, towering figure who embodies brute force and moral corruption. With a scarred face, childlike mind, and a deeply twisted relationship with religion thanks to his abusive mother, he serves as the central menace of the film. Kane’s background in professional wrestling translates well to the role — he uses his size and presence to terrifying effect, making Jacob a memorable slasher villain in the vein of Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees.

See No Evil thrives on its setting: the abandoned hotel is dark, labyrinthine, and filled with decay, perfectly suited to the film’s grimy tone. Tight corridors, broken elevators, and flickering lights create a sense of claustrophobia and doom. The atmosphere is thick with dread, and the film uses shadows and sound design to increase tension before unleashing moments of brutal violence.

The kills in See No Evil are graphic and unflinching, with a focus on physical, painful deaths rather than psychological horror. Gore hounds will find plenty to enjoy — from body impalements to shattered limbs. The eye-gouging motif is especially disturbing and sets the killer apart in a genre filled with slasher clichés.

The characters, while mostly fitting into familiar horror archetypes — the tough guy, the good girl, the rebel, the coward — serve their purpose in the story. Though not deeply developed, a few characters do get minor arcs, and their interactions add just enough emotional tension to keep the viewer engaged between the killings.

Critically, the film received mixed to negative reviews upon release, mostly for its formulaic plot and shallow character development. However, it found a fanbase among horror lovers who appreciated its unapologetically brutal approach and old-school slasher feel. Its success led to a sequel, See No Evil 2 (2014), which aimed to deepen Jacob’s character and was praised for its improved direction by the Soska Sisters.

In conclusion, See No Evil is a blood-soaked, visceral horror film that delivers on the core elements of the slasher genre: an unstoppable killer, a creepy setting, and gory deaths. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it offers enough violence, atmosphere, and menace to satisfy horror fans looking for a throwback to the grimy slasher films of the 1980s — with a modern, brutal twist.