Quentin Tarantino is best known for his work as a writer/director. However, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker also has a history of producing motion pictures helmed by other creators. One such effort recently popped up as free-to-stream on Tubi, and several other AVOD platforms. I’m talking about the much-maligned exploitation biker throwback flick Hell Ride. The picture was released via Third Rail Releasing (a joint venture between TWC and Genius Products) under the ‘Quentin Tarantino Presents’ banner in 2008.
The setup for this Quentin Tarantino-produced thriller goes as follows:
The Deuce and Billy Wings, leaders of an evil biker gang known as the Six-Six-Sixers, murder Cherokee Kisum, a member of the Victors, over a drug money dispute. Years later, the Deuce and Wings are back in town to settle some old business, and Pistolero, Cherokee’s old boyfriend, sees this as an opportunity to finally get revenge. He recruits two old friends, Gent and Eddie Zero, for help.
Hell Ride was a critical disaster, to put it mildly.
Despite the distinction of premiering at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, Hell Ride took a critical beating upon release. Film scholars had no time for this neo-exploitation effort. Many took issue with the picture’s style over substance approach to storytelling and the dull narrative. The flick holds a paltry 10% ‘fresh’ rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and the audience score (now simply known as the Popcornmeter) isn’t much better at 30%.
The picture’s cast includes at least a couple of recognizable names. David Carradine, Eric Balfour, Larry Bishop (who also directs and produces), Dennis Hopper, Michael Madsen, Julia Jones, and Leonor Varela topline the flick. So, at the very least, you get to spend time with noteworthy talent.
If you are inclined to make up your own mind about what constitutes quality cinema, head over to Tubi to see what you think of this critical disaster. Who knows, maybe the film is just terribly misunderstood? Or maybe it is really as awful as everyone says…
That’s all we have for you at present, dear reader. Please stay tuned to Dread Central for more cool updates on which films within your niche interest set are available to stream and where you can find them. Also, be sure to follow us on X, Instagram, and Bluesky so you never miss out on an exciting update.
Categorized:News
