Welcome back friends to another movie ranking post. Previously we took a look at the entire Alien franchise. Today we’re going to be looking closely at all 7 movies in the Wrong Turn franchise. This will, of course, include all 6 movies in the original series as well as the "reboot" movie of the same name. The Wrong Turn series follows a family of deformed cannibals living in the Appalachia mountains.
As in the previous Alien ranking post each movie will receive a score of 1-10. Of course these are completely my own opinions and you may of course you may completely disagree. If you would give any of these movies a different score comment them down below in the comment section. I would love to near what you think as well.
Alright, it's get started. We'll start with the 6 original movies before end ding with the newer reboot. Let's dissect a horror cult classic possibly at its finest.
Wrong Turn
7/10
Wrong Turn directed by Rob Schmidt, is a classic survival horror film that delivers suspense, terror, and shocking moments, cementing itself as a cult favorite. Starring Eliza Dushku and Desmond Harrington, the movie takes viewers into the dense woods of West Virginia, where a group of stranded travelers encounters a family of grotesque, inbred cannibals. The film sets up its premise with minimal exposition, allowing the tension to build immediately as the characters’ struggle for survival becomes the core of the plot. The setting, isolated and claustrophobic, adds a layer of dread that keeps audiences on edge from the very beginning.
What sets Wrong Turn apart from other horror films of its time is its relentless pace and the brutality of its kills. The movie’s practical effects and makeup work effectively to create gruesome and visceral death scenes, some of which are genuinely surprising. The unpredictability of the plot, combined with the film’s high tension, ensures that viewers are constantly questioning who will make it out alive. While some characters may fall into familiar horror stereotypes, both Dushku and Harrington bring a solid level of intensity to their roles, keeping the viewer invested in their fate.
Though it wasn’t a box office hit, Wrong Turn has since gained a strong cult following, spawning several sequels and a reboot. Its ending is satisfying in delivering what horror fans expect—survival for some—but also leaves enough ambiguity to set up future installments. Scoring a respectable 7/10, the movie isn’t groundbreaking, but it excels in what it promises: high-stakes thrills, gory deaths, and a tension filled ride that horror aficionados will appreciate. If you’re a fan of slasher films with a backwoods twist, Wrong Turn is worth a watch.
Wrong Turn 2: Dead End
5/10
Wrong Turn 2: Dead End attempts to build on the success of the first film by introducing a new setting and a fresh group of cannibalistic killers. Directed by Joe Lynch, the movie follows a group of contestants on a survivalist reality show who unwittingly become prey for a family of inbred mutants in the backwoods of West Virginia. While the change in killers from the original three brothers could have offered an opportunity for more depth and variety, it unfortunately falls flat. The new villains lack the same memorable presence, feeling more like a generic threat than the distinct horror icons introduced in the original. Which is why I believe the writers went back to featuring the Hillicker brothers in later films.
The movie does offer an interesting setup with its reality show twist, but it quickly devolves into familiar territory with underdeveloped characters who fall into tired stereotypes. From the arrogant producer to the tough-as-nails ex-soldier, the contestants feel more like caricatures than real people, making it hard to root for their survival. Though the setting of the show adds a new layer of chaos to the chase sequences, the lack of engaging personalities undermines the tension, and it becomes difficult to care about who makes it out alive.
One of the biggest weaknesses of Wrong Turn 2 is its lead character, who struggles to be the film’s “final girl.” Instead of being someone the audience can root for, she starts off more abrasive and unlikable, making it difficult to connect with her as the film progresses. This confusion over who the final girl was supposed to be only adds to the movie’s lack of clear direction. Scoring a 5/10, the sequel isn’t without some moments of gory fun, but it ultimately lacks the cult-making charm of the original. While it’s not the worst in the franchise, it doesn’t quite live up to the potential set up by its premise.
Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead
5/10
Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead continues the franchise with a prison transport gone wrong, leaving guards and convicts to fend off cannibalistic killers in the Appalachian wilderness. The premise offers some potential for tension and chaos, but the film ultimately feels like a middling entry in the series. While the setup of dangerous prisoners clashing with law enforcement in a deadly game of survival should have provided more gripping stakes, it falls flat due to lackluster character development and uninspired dialogue. The tension that could have been built between the convicts and guards quickly dissolves as the characters come off as more irritating than engaging.
One of the biggest issues with Wrong Turn 3 is how seriously it takes itself compared to its predecessor. Where Wrong Turn 2 embraced its campiness and leaned into dark humor, this film goes for a grittier tone but struggles to maintain the intensity or dread needed to make it work. Instead of building suspense, the characters’ constant bickering and poor decision-making detracts from any real sense of danger. The prisoners, who could have been morally complex antiheroes, are largely annoying, making it hard to care about their fates or root for anyone’s survival.
The film also suffers from a disappointing mid-credit scene that reveals a twist, shifting the viewer’s perspective on certain characters—but not in a satisfying way. It feels more like a cheap trick than a meaningful plot twist, leaving a sour note as the movie closes. And, for many horror fans, the unnecessary killing of the dog adds another strike against it. Scoring a 5/10, Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead doesn’t offer much beyond a few gory moments, failing to capture the balance of tension and fun that made earlier entries stand out. It ends up being just another forgettable installment in the franchise.
Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings
7/10
Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings offers a fresh look into the origins of the franchise’s infamous villains, the Hillicker brothers, providing a prequel that dives into their bloody backstory. Set several years before the first Wrong Turn, the film follows a group of college students who find themselves stranded in a snowstorm and take shelter in an abandoned asylum, where the brothers were once held. It doesn’t take long before they discover they’re not alone, and the gruesome hunt for survival begins. While the plot is a straightforward slasher setup, the snowy, isolated setting adds a unique layer of atmosphere, making it one of the more visually engaging entries in the series. The movie certainly benefits from its decision to break away from the franchise’s typical wooded setting, choosing instead to confine the action to the asylum, which adds a fresh sense of claustrophobia and dread. This shift in location not only differentiates it from the previous films but also makes the icy, enclosed environment an effective backdrop for the story, amplifying the tension as the characters have nowhere to escape.
What makes Wrong Turn 4 stand out, aside from its focus on the origin story, is its embrace of B-movie horror. While on the surface it’s a cheese-filled gore fest, the film knows exactly what it is and leans into that identity. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and by playing to its strengths—gory kills, campy characters, and a claustrophobic setting—it becomes an oddly entertaining watch. Fans of old-school slasher movies will appreciate its self-aware tone, though it’s certainly not without its flaws. The over-the-top sex scene early in the film, for example, feels cringeworthy and out of place, detracting from the pace of the movie.
Despite the campiness, Bloody Beginnings manages to deliver a shockingly good final scene that elevates the entire film. The ending is both brutal and unexpected, making for a memorable conclusion that sticks with the viewer long after the credits roll. The title song, “Wrong Turn” by The Blackout City Kids, perfectly captures the tone of the film, tying everything together in a fitting finale. Scoring a solid 7/10, this prequel may not be groundbreaking, but it’s definitely one of the most entertaining entries in the series, second only to the original. It’s a guilty pleasure that horror fans can enjoy for its B-movie charm.
Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines
3/10
Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines tries to set up a wild and entertaining premise with stoner college kids arriving in a small town for a music festival, but it quickly veers into disappointing territory. The early scenes suggest the film won’t take itself too seriously, but it pivots into a grim tone almost immediately, with the festival barely mentioned after the first 20 minutes. Instead, we’re left with two-dimensional characters making increasingly dumb decisions, making it nearly impossible to root for anyone’s survival. The film’s lack of engaging protagonists removes any real tension, leaving the audience disconnected from the horror.
The Hillicker brothers are joined by Maynard, a sadistic serial killer who enhances their already brutal tendencies. While this could have added a new dynamic, it instead feels forced, and Maynard’s presence only amplifies the senseless violence. The plot revolves around the brothers trying to free Maynard after he is captured by the police, but the film stumbles by giving the otherwise mentally impaired brothers advanced critical thinking skills. Their ability to take out a cell phone tower and power grid feels implausible, given their limited capacity in previous films, breaking any sense of consistency within the franchise’s mythology.
Overall, Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines is a gore-filled shock fest without much substance. The excessive violence feels hollow, more concerned with grossing out the audience than adding to the story or characters’ arcs. Scoring a low 3/10, the film is hard to take seriously and lacks the fun, campy energy that has made other entries in the series more enjoyable. While it does feature another track from The Blackout City Kids, “Mercy,” even the music isn’t enough to salvage a movie that feels disconnected from the rest of the franchise and ultimately forgettable.
Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort
4/10
Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort manages to slightly improve upon its predecessor, but only by a small margin, leaving it still a lackluster entry in the franchise. The movie follows Danny and his group of friends after Danny learns he has inherited an old, isolated hotel in the Appalachian mountains. While the setup hints at a fresh twist for the series, it quickly devolves into the familiar formula of gruesome deaths and questionable character decisions. The film tries to build suspense around the caretakers of the hotel and their “family” connection to Danny, but it falls short, relying on tired tropes rather than delivering anything truly compelling.
One of the movie’s central problems is Danny’s increasingly absurd character arc. While his friends immediately sense something is off, Danny becomes inexplicably loyal to the hotel’s caretakers, swallowing their “we’re family” mantra with minimal skepticism. This leads to a frustrating dynamic where his friends are not only battling the killers but also contending with Danny’s bizarre behavior. The tension could have been stronger if Danny’s descent into the killers’ world was more gradual or believable, but the film rushes this transformation, making it difficult to buy into his sudden willingness to let his friends and girlfriend die.
Even for a film about cannibalistic killers, the most unrealistic element is how quickly Danny embraces the murder spree. After only a couple of days, he’s perfectly fine with the idea of letting his friends be brutally killed, all because these strangers claim to be his family. It’s a suspension of disbelief that the movie never earns, dragging down the plot and character development. Scoring a 4/10, Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort offers little in the way of real horror or tension, instead leaning on tired gore and an unconvincing story, making it an underwhelming addition to the franchise.
Wrong Turn (Reboot)
6/10
The 2021 Wrong Turn reboot attempts to reimagine the long-running horror franchise with a fresh approach, but ultimately feels like a completely different film. Directed by Mike P. Nelson, the movie shifts away from the inbred cannibals of the original series and instead focuses on a group of survivalists known as “The Foundation,” who have lived in isolation in the Appalachian mountains since the 1800s. This new group introduces an intriguing concept, but the film’s attempt to tie itself to the Wrong Turn name ultimately feels forced, as it doesn’t capture the gritty, slasher tone of the previous entries in the series.
The plot centers on a group of friends who venture into the wilderness and accidentally cross paths with The Foundation after one of them kills a member of the clan. While the story had potential, the characters’ actions and motivations often feel contrived, and the film struggles with pacing issues that drag down the tension. The new villains offer an interesting spin on the concept of isolationist societies, but the movie never fully capitalizes on the psychological and cultural complexities that could have set it apart from other survival horror films.
Scoring a 6/10, the reboot suffers from misaligned expectations. As a standalone movie, it could have been a more engaging and thought-provoking horror film, but by marketing itself as a Wrong Turn reboot, it sets up fans for disappointment. Instead of the brutal, fast-paced slasher they anticipated, viewers are given a slow-burn thriller that doesn’t feel like it belongs in the Wrong Turn universe. The film might have benefited greatly from distancing itself from the franchise entirely, allowing its more unique aspects to stand out without the weight of its predecessor’s legacy.
That's it for this in depth move franchise review. I hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts and opinions on the Wrong Turn franchise. If your own opinion and scores differ then comment them down below in the comment section below.
Till next time friends,
Words by Ali
No comments:
Post a Comment