The Hills Have Eyes | 2006 | Official Trailer (HD)

The Hills Have Eyes (2006) is a horror film directed by Alexandre Aja, serving as a remake of Wes Craven’s 1977 classic of the same name. The movie follows the Carter family, who become stranded in the desert and fall prey to a group of violent, mutated cannibals. Known for its intense gore, suspenseful atmosphere, and shocking brutality, this version amplifies the terror of the original, blending psychological horror with intense physical threats.

The story begins as the Carter family—a typical middle-class group on a cross-country trip—takes a detour through the desolate New Mexico desert. Bob and Ethel Carter, along with their three children, their son-in-law Doug, and their infant grandchild, find themselves in trouble after their car breaks down in what appears to be an abandoned nuclear testing site. Unbeknownst to them, this remote area is inhabited by a group of deformed mutants, the result of radiation exposure from nuclear testing during the 1950s. These mutants have developed a brutal way of life, surviving by hunting and cannibalizing anyone who wanders into their territory.

As night falls, the family’s situation quickly spirals into terror. The mutants, led by a character named Pluto, launch a series of violent attacks on the family, who must fight to survive against overwhelming odds. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the visceral horrors that the family endures, with scenes that are both graphically intense and emotionally harrowing. This relentless brutality adds a psychological layer to the horror, as the family members are pushed to their limits, revealing their inner strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable violence.

Doug, who initially appears mild-mannered and unprepared for such horrific circumstances, undergoes a significant transformation. Fueled by desperation and a desire to protect his family, he embarks on a revenge-fueled mission to confront the mutants, putting his own life at risk. His journey through the mutants’ territory highlights the primal instincts that emerge when survival is at stake, and his evolution from a passive character to a fierce protector serves as a powerful narrative arc.

The film’s visual style emphasizes desolation and isolation, with wide shots of the barren, unforgiving desert and close-up, claustrophobic views during the terrifying encounters. The mutants are depicted with gruesome prosthetics and makeup, emphasizing their inhuman appearance and making them symbols of the horrifying consequences of unchecked human actions. This grim setting, combined with the unrelenting brutality, makes the film an intense exploration of human resilience and survival.

Despite its controversial use of graphic violence, The Hills Have Eyes was praised for its tension-filled direction, impressive practical effects, and Alexandre Aja’s ability to capture the hopelessness and terror that defined the original. It sparked discussions about the nature of horror as a genre, particularly regarding its boundary-pushing elements.