Movies: The Weed Eaters (2025) by Callum Devlin: A Gory and Hilarious Kiwi Horror-Comedy
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
When the Munchies Get a Little Too Real
A New Zealand horror-comedy from director Callum Devlin. The movie follows four friends on a rural New Year's Eve getaway. Their relaxed trip takes a sharp turn when they discover a long-abandoned stash of marijuana. After smoking it, they soon find that this particular strain gives them an uncontrollable craving for human flesh. The film is a gory and humorous addition to the New Zealand horror-comedy genre, blending low-budget charm with clever social commentary.
Why to watch this movie: A Fresh Take on an Old Genre
Kiwi Horror-Comedy: This film fits perfectly into New Zealand's unique canon of horror-comedy, known for its dark humor and DIY spirit, reminiscent of films like Braindead or Black Sheep.
Bold and Original Concept: The movie's premise is a clever twist on the classic "stoner horror" subgenre, trading jump scares for laughs and unexpected cannibalism.
Low-Budget, High-Impact: Despite its modest budget, the film's creative storytelling and subtle effects manage to create a compelling and genuinely disturbing experience without relying on excessive gore.
Where to watch: available for industry professionals at https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/the-weed-eaters
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35667902/
About movie: https://sportsteam.co.nz/The-Weed-Eaters
What is the Trend followed?: The Resurgence of Horror-Comedy
Genre Blending: The film is a prime example of the trend of blending horror with comedy, a popular style that combines genuine scares with laughs to create a unique tone.
Cannibalism as Commentary: It uses the over-the-top premise of cannibalism as a vehicle for social commentary on drug use and how it can affect friendships and loyalty.
Regional Horror: The film is part of the trend of unique, regional horror films that use a specific cultural context (in this case, New Zealand's) to add a distinct flavor to the genre.
Director's Vision: Embracing a DIY Aesthetic
Callum Devlin, as both director and editor, aimed to create a film that was authentic to the "kiwi horror-comedy" genre.
His vision was to deliver a horror movie that was more about paranoia and growing mistrust among friends than shocking gore.
The film was shot on a deceptively low budget, and Devlin embraced a DIY aesthetic to make the film feel grounded and raw, featuring local musicians and comedians in the cast.
Themes: Paranoia, Betrayal, and Drug Culture
Paranoia and Mistrust: The true terror of the film comes not from the cannibalism itself, but from the rising paranoia and betrayal among the friends as they begin to turn on each other.
Cannibalism: The act of cannibalism is a metaphor for the way drug use can consume friendships and force people to make horrific choices to cover their mistakes.
New Zealand's Drug Relationship: The film explores the country's relationship with drugs and how substance use can affect friendships and personal values.
Key success factors: Originality and Authenticity
The High-Concept Premise: The film's core idea—weed that causes cannibalism—is unique and immediately grabs the audience's attention.
Low-Budget Creativity: The filmmakers' ability to craft an effective horror story with limited resources and subtle effects is a significant success factor.
Honest Social Commentary: The film's underlying commentary on drug use and friendship adds depth to what could have been a simple, one-note horror movie.
Awards and Nominations: Awaited Recognition
As of this summary, the film's awards and nominations are pending. It was a key selection at the New Zealand International Film Festival, a strong sign of its critical reception.
Critics Reception: Positive and Amusing
Lumiere Cinemas: Praises the film as a "beloved kiwi horror comedy canon," noting that its subtle effects keep the goriness to a minimum, making it "safe for all but the most squeamish." It highlights the film's social commentary.
Cineamo: Describes the film as a "horror-comedy" with a killer strain of weed that makes "unsuspecting stoners crave human flesh," indicating a clear understanding and positive reception of the genre's tropes.
Overall, critics have received the film positively, applauding its commitment to the horror-comedy genre, its clever premise, and its ability to deliver a fun and entertaining film on a small budget.
Reviews: Entertaining and Unique
Causeway Films: In a synopsis, describes the film's plot, highlighting the fun and gory nature of the story, with a sense of excitement for the film's unique concept.
NZIFF: Their description calls it a "riotous NZ horror comedy" and a fresh entry into the beloved genre.
Reviews confirm the film's success as an entertaining and unique entry into the horror-comedy genre, with many reviewers praising the creative concept and the film's tone.
Release date on streaming: To be announced
A streaming release date has not been officially announced at this time.
Theatrical Release: August 21, 2025
The film premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival in Auckland in July and had a limited theatrical release in New Zealand on August 21, 2025.
What Movie Trend film is following: The "Weird" Horror Film
The film is part of the trend of "weird" or absurd horror films that intentionally subvert genre conventions. It embraces a bizarre and humorous premise, prioritizing a unique cinematic experience over traditional scares.
What Big Social Trend is following: The Normalization of Cannabis
The film's premise relies on the social trend of the normalization of cannabis use. It uses this context to create a horror scenario, playing on the idea of a drug having an extreme, unexpected side effect, a concept that is only possible in a world where cannabis is widely recognized.
Final Verdict: A Cult Classic in the Making
The Weed Eaters is a hilarious, gory, and clever film that solidifies its place in the New Zealand horror-comedy genre. With a unique premise and an authentic, low-budget feel, it is a fun ride for fans of the genre and has the potential to become a cult classic.
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