Directed by William Bagley, from a screenplay co-written with Scott Hawkins, Hold The Fort is a silly action-packed horror-comedy about all the bullshit of homeownership; Property maintenance, small talk with the neighbours, portals to Hell that open up during the Equinox to allow witches and werewolves and demons (and more!) to rampage your community at night. You know, all the normal adult life hassles. This goofy gory good time recently celebrated it’s World Premiere at the 2025 Fantasia Film Festival and features a whole cast of kooky characters, including comedy YouTuber/director Julian Smith (Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda) who stars as the Ned Flanders coded President of a surprising trigger happy Home Owners Association.
Having to navigate the busybodies of a Home Owner’s Association (HOA) for something as simple as installing a birdfeeder sounds like a circle of Hell that exists here on Earth, if you ask me. But for new homeowners Lucas (Chris Mayers) and Jenny (Hayley Leary) it’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the strange BS they are pitted against in their new neighborhood. We all know that there is always something hiding behind those perfectly manicured lawns and white picket fences, but this HOA is the front line of defense against all kinds of evil that walks the earth.
“Pretty much a 70-minute parade of head explosions, monster mayhem, and laugh-out-loud gags.”
Lucas and Jenny really picked one hell of a time to move in because they barely have enough to introduce themselves before evil spirits rise up from the earth. Good News: The HOA have enough weapons and ammunition to supply a small army, and they’ve also hired their own personal John Rambo named “McScruffy” to mow down supernatural baddies. Bad News: Lucas doesn’t know jack about how to use guns and accidentally shoots McScruffy leaving himself pretty much in charge of tackling this horde of horrors solo.
Along the way, Lucas learns the power of self-preservation, the importance of friendship, and the true meaning of Christmas. Nah, I’m just kidding- It’s pretty much a 70-minute parade of head explosions, monster mayhem, and laugh-out-loud gags. But above all else, Hold The Fort is fun, increasingly a rarity in movies these days. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, it doesn’t overstay its welcome, and it’s jam packed with wave after wave of monsters. Indie Horror Comedies are where the laughs still live and Hold The Fort is a blood-soaked barrage of slapstick silliness and gory absurdity.
“A blood-soaked barrage of slapstick silliness and gory absurdity.”
William Bagley’s Hold The Fort celebrated its World Premiere at the 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival. Click HERE to follow our continued coverage of the festival, and let us know what your weapon of choice would be in a street fight against supernatural evil over in The Official Nightmare on Film Street Discord.
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