Reel Review: Hemet, Or The Landlady Don’t Drink Tea

A satirical horror comedy, “Hemet, Or The Landlady Don’t Drink Tea” is a crude, bizarre film that really does bite off more than it can chew.

Set in a dystopian future with fairytale aspects, our plot revolves around a tyrant landlady, Liz (Brian Patrick Butler), ruling over her tenants.

Meanwhile, an outbreak of psychotic-inducing bath salts has resulted in an army of zombies ruling the outside worst with a cannibalistic fist.

It’s so dangerous to venture outside that our tenants have no choice but to endure the landlady’s laws and continue to reside there. As the film goes on, it becomes obvious that Lizz is taking advantage of people simply trying to survive in the apocalyptic world.

Our protagonist, Rosie (Kimberly Weinberger), binds this film together, giving a very strong performance.

Her character is fully developed, and by the conclusion of the movie, you are left satisfied with how her story ends. Stuck in an abusive relationship, she is hardworking, sure of herself, andn’t a pushover. Central to her fellow neighbors’ homicidal plans, she finds herself on a path to being a final girl.

Born during the COVID-19 pandemic, writer Brian Patrick Butler took inspiration from events all over the world.

While watching the film, it’s evident that Butler took inspiration not only from the pandemic but also from the divisive politics surrounding it. Hemet hints at racial undertones and portrays those in power slowly turning on one another. Gone is the neighborly atmosphere, replaced by something more akin to Mad Max‘s Thunderdome.

There is an underlying strong message wrapped up in witty quips.

It’s one most of us can relate to — the stress of financial troubles that results in us feeling stuck while something beyond our control rules our lives. It’s also hard not to be struck by how resonant the idea of people so eager to manipulate others who felt vulnerable due to world events felt. Many felt hopeless and were willing to be led by a dictator, which definitely strikes a chord in modern times of turmoil.

However, as relatable as the themes may be, this film isn’t for everyone.

Hemet is a dark comedy that is very heavy on satire. It’s strange with a gritty setting. It doesn’t hold back in any way, shape, or form, and it doesn’t pull any punches. Some may be turned off by the film’s low budget, rough SFX, sound design, and DIY sets.

However, if you’re willing to accept what it is, these things serve to enhance the film’s charm and can result in a fun time watching.

There are some scenes that aren’t needed and characters that aren’t fully fledged that leave the film before you even know why they are there. Still, it’s not a film that takes itself too seriously, and the slight hiccups are easy to push to the side.

In all transparency, I’m not quite sure I was this movie’s target audience. It didn’t fully resonate with me.

Yet, with strong performances and quite a few laughs, I can’t say I didn’t have a blast watching Hemet, or The Landlady Don’t Drink Tea.