Butchers

Butchers (2020) – A Relentless Grind of Gore and Backwoods Violence

Butchers, released in 2020, is a Canadian slasher horror film directed and written by Adrian Langley. Set in the desolate countryside, the film follows two deranged brothers—Owen and Oswald Watson—who prey on unsuspecting travelers. The story kicks off when a group of young people’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, only to find themselves trapped in a nightmare of torture, survival, and bloodshed.

From its opening scene, Butchers wastes no time establishing its grim tone. The isolated setting, coupled with a chillingly quiet atmosphere, makes for a haunting backdrop. Owen and Oswald are brutal and sadistic, with their cold barn and rusted tools forming the heart of the horror. These characters are not just murderers; they’re emotionally broken relics of a decaying rural world. The brothers treat their victims like cattle, stripping them of humanity and any hope of escape.

The film doesn’t aim for complexity. It leans heavily into traditional horror tropes—the remote setting, the broken-down car, the helpless group of youths—but it delivers them with confidence and grit. The cinematography captures the bleakness of the environment with cold, washed-out tones that reinforce the film’s hopeless mood. The practical effects are gruesome and effective, highlighting each kill with raw intensity.

Simon Phillips, who plays Owen, stands out for his unnerving portrayal of a man completely detached from morality. His character is unpredictable, sometimes eerily calm and at other times explosively violent. Michael Swatton’s Oswald complements him as a more straightforward brute, but their chemistry makes for a disturbing duo. Together, they create a world where cruelty is second nature.

The film’s victims are a mix of stereotypes: the brave one, the coward, the scream queen. They serve their purpose, but they aren’t deeply developed. As a result, the audience is often more curious about the killers than the ones being hunted. This lack of emotional investment in the protagonists weakens the tension, but it may also reflect the film’s intention to portray a world where innocence is meaningless.

While Butchers doesn’t reinvent the genre, it does deliver what many slasher fans crave: relentless violence, a grim tone, and deranged killers who dominate every scene. It’s gritty, unpolished, and unapologetically brutal. There’s little in the way of psychological depth or narrative innovation, but for viewers looking for a horror film that revels in savagery, this one hits the mark.

The film’s final act escalates with chaos and gore, staying true to its grindhouse spirit. There’s no neat resolution—only the reminder that in this world, mercy is rare, and survival is not guaranteed. The ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel, but even without one, the film feels like a full descent into madness.

In conclusion, Butchers is a stark and brutal addition to the slasher genre. It doesn’t offer nuance, but it does offer raw horror, atmospheric dread, and villains who feel genuinely unhinged. It’s not for the faint of heart—but for fans of hardcore backwoods horror, it carves out its place with blood-soaked conviction.