Writer/director Kat Candler’s Hellion paints the powerful portrait of a family on the brink of dissolution set against the haunting backdrop of the refineries of Southeast Texas.
Obsessed with heavy metal, dirt bike racing and partaking in the occasional act of vandalism with his band of delinquents, the behavior of 13-year-old Jacob Wilson (Josh Wiggins) has begun to raise concerns around town, especially when it starts to involve his younger brother Wes (Deke Garner). While the boys’ father Hollis (Aaron Paul) loves his sons, he is still reeling from the loss of their mother, spending more time drowning his sorrows at the local bar and working on his damaged beach house than being an active parent.
When the local authorities catch wind of the increasingly volatile situation, Wes is taken into custody by his Aunt Pam (Juliette Lewis), leaving Jacob and Hollis to fend for themselves. In Wes’ absence, Jacob becomes increasingly obsessed with two things: winning a local motocross championship and getting his brother back.
With a scorching central performance by Wiggins and heart-wrenchingly raw turns by Paul and Lewis, Hellion is impossible to shake. Executive Produced by Jeff Nichols (Mud) and Sarah Green (The Tree of Life).
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“Hellion is an exceptionally authentic feature from writer/director Kat Candler, based on her lauded short film that screened at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Fueled by a commanding performance from Aaron Paul as Hollis, robust support from Juliette Lewis and Deke Garner, and a star-making turn by Josh Wiggins as Jacob, Hellion is as disturbing as it is powerful.” – D.C.
“Lyrical doesn’t have to be quiet and atonal. With Hellion, Kat Candler proves heavy metal works too… Hellion is beautiful and harrowing. [Wiggins] is a revelation, reminiscent of a teenage Leonardo DiCaprio in his breakout role in This Boy’s Life.”– Lindsey Bahr, Entertainment Weekly
“An artful exploration of small-town America’s working poor that packs a real emotional punch.”– Scott Foundas, Variety