WFG RATING: B-

Screamify presents a Trent Duncan Productions film in association with Dogstar Productions and Venture Court Productions. Written and directed by Trent Duncan. Produced by Trent Duncan, Danielle J. Bowman, and Joseph O’Connor. Cinematography by Daniel Troyer. 

Stars Madison Bowman, Cass Huckabay, Jamie Bernadette, Sara Wimmer, Brandon Krum, Cheyenne August Hess, Stephanie Kerves, Logan Van Dyke, Jake Nuttall, and Heather Fraley.

A girls’ weekend becomes a nightmare when an axe killer returns in this indie horror film with a shocking twist.

Best friends Leah, Abby, and Olivia are set to enjoy a girls only Valentine’s Day weekend at a local resort. Reluctantly, Leah invites Dawn, who has proven to be the wild one of the group who could care less about the others. Despite that, the weekend is to help Olivia, who is overcoming a traumatic experience. However, that’s going to be the least of their problems.

Years ago in the area, a tall giant bearded man began hunting down tourists in the area and began a killing spree. Known for his use of miniature axes on his victims, he had disappeared. However, he has returned and begins to hunt down the group one-by-one alongside other tourists in the area. While the police try to decipher who the killer is, the chaos continues. What the killer soon learns is that one potential victim has a trick up their sleeve and may have the ability to turn the tables. 

From the mind of Trent Duncan comes this very interesting horror film that feels like it could be a modern day Madman with a major twist no one saw coming. Revolved around four friends on a Galentine’s weekend (an all girl Valentine’s weekend with no issues), the trip coincides with the return of an axe murderer in the area. However, Duncan breaks the tropes when it comes to a certain character. There’s also a nice little nod to the recent Slumber Party Massacre reimagining in the film. 

Madison Bowman, Cass Huckabay, Sara Wimmer, and Indie World Cinema Hall of Famer Jamie Bernadette play the four friends, each who have a different personality. Bowman’s Olivia is the youngest of the group, who is trying to overcome past trauma. Huckabay’s Leah is the “leader” and “big sister” of the group who tries to keep it together. Like Olivia, Bernadette’s Abby is overcoming past trauma, but unlike Olivia’s use of medication, Abby resorts to drinking her troubles away. Finally, Wimmer’s Dana is the promiscuous one who could care less as long as she has the fun she thinks she deserves. Of the group, there is one who you would want to get theirs and it’s clear who that is.

Brandon Krum is great as Luther, the axe murderer who unleashes unholy hell and takes out his victims’ hearts as a calling card. Unlike most axe murderers in films, Luther uses mini-axes to unleash his fury. The kills are not too overly graphic, which is a good thing in a way. When the twist is revealed, it is quite a surprise because Luther does have someone hot on his trail as well, and it is the last person one expected. And it is not a random character either.

Axes and O’s is pretty good when it comes to the different main characters and the kills. The jaw-dropping twist is shocking.but it could have ended it slightly better.