I stand as a fervent supporter of the ‘so-bad-that-it’s-good’ school of filmmaking. If a movie makes me laugh, whether intentionally or not, it will hold a special place in my heart for doing so. While I certainly appreciate deep and meaningful cinema, there is something about the bizarre and outrageous that I find simply irresistible. Perhaps this is why I so thoroughly enjoyed the film that we will be discussing today – Death Ranch. Despite the gravity of the subject matter, the presentation is absolutely off-the-wall. It makes what would otherwise be a harrowing experience a lot more digestible. So, I like to think of it as being fun and thought-provoking.  

Set in the 1970s, Death Ranch follows the story of three African American siblings who are on the run from the law. After Brandon Cobbs (Deiondre Teagle) escapes from prison, he meets up with his sister Angela (Faith Monique) and brother Clarence (Travis Cutner) to plan his next move. The group seeks shelter at a seemingly abandoned ranch in rural Tennessee, blissfully unaware that the area is host to a cabal of cannibalistic KKK members. Trapped, terrified, and desperate to escape, the three Cobbs must now find a way to overcome their captors before they become the next course on the menu. 

What can I say about Death Ranch? While it is a ridiculous film, based on an equally outlandish concept, it still manages to be incredibly entertaining. It harkens back to the blaxploitation-horror pictures of the 1970s and is a fast-paced, action-packed thrill ride. Full of moments that are guaranteed to either make you laugh out loud or squirm in your seat, Death Ranch has a little bit of something for everyone. The gore, despite being rather hit-or-miss in terms of quality, is copious – which is always a big plus in my books. While this violence isn’t particularly brutal or inventive, comparatively speaking, it is excessive and absurd enough to provide the audience with an almost deafening bang for their buck. 

Overall, Death Ranch is a hoot. Hell, I would even go so far as to say that it’s a whole hoot and a half. It has served to put the director, Charlie Steeds, on my radar as a potential figure to follow. If this film is any indication of what to expect from him in the future, then I have a feeling that this could be the beginning of something special. I know that I, for one, will be making sure to watch for any more of his upcoming projects. Until then, I will just have to sing his praises for making Death Ranch. It truly is an awesome low-budget throwback picture. 

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