Hellion (2014)

Hellion is a 2014 American drama film directed by Kat Candler. The film stars Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, and Josh Wiggins in the lead roles. It was produced by Rough House Pictures and distributed by IFC Films. The film has a running time of 94 minutes.

Synopsis:

The movie tells the story of a 13-year-old boy named Jacob (Josh Wiggins) who is struggling to deal with the loss of his mother and the subsequent neglect from his father, Hollis (Aaron Paul). Jacob turns to vandalism and delinquency, which eventually lands him and his younger brother Wes (Deke Garner) in the custody of their aunt (Juliette Lewis). As Jacob tries to come to terms with his grief, he must also confront his behavior and the consequences of his actions.

Review:

Hellion received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances of the cast, particularly that of Josh Wiggins as the troubled teenager. The film was also noted for its realistic depiction of small-town life and the struggles of working-class families. Some critics also commended the direction of Kat Candler for capturing the raw emotions of the characters and the film’s themes of grief and masculinity.

Awards:

Hellion won several awards at film festivals, including the Special Jury Award for Cinematography at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Dallas International Film Festival, and the Best Narrative Feature Award at the Sidewalk Film Festival. The film also received nominations at the 2014 Independent Spirit Awards for Best Supporting Female (Juliette Lewis) and the John Cassavetes Award for Best Feature Under $500,000.