Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Hell Fest (2018) movie poster

Timeline

Hell Fest (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 89 min · English
Echo score 53
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Gregory Plotkin
Starring
Amy Forsyth, Athena Akers, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Courtney Dietz, Tony Todd, Elle Graham
Budget
$5.5M

As Halloween approaches, a group of friends seeking thrills heads to Hell Fest, an immersive and terrifying amusement park. However, their night of fun turns deadly when a masked killer begins stalking the attendees. The festive atmosphere quickly dissolves into a desperate fight for survival as the friends must navigate the chaotic and gruesome setting to escape the nightmare and stay alive.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Hell Fest
  6. 6 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

15 events in order · contains spoilers

Hell Fest Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Hell Fest (2018) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. The Amusement Park

    The film opens in a horror-themed amusement park located in Orange Grove. Three friends decide to explore a haunted house within the park, setting the stage for a terrifying night ahead.

    Where
    Orange Grove
  2. First Attack

    While navigating the spooky corridors, one girl strays from her companions and encounters a masked figure. In a shocking moment, he stabs her in the gut, dragging her lifeless body away, mistaken for a prop until discovered days later.

    Where
    Haunted House
  3. Three Years Later

    Fast forward three years, Natalie arrives at her best friend Brooke's house only to find obnoxious schoolmate Taylor is also there. The reunion sets the tone for a thrilling night as the group prepares to visit Hell Fest, a newly opened horror amusement park.

    Where
    Brooke's House
  4. Arrival at Hell Fest

    The group, including Brooke's boyfriend Quinn and Taylor's boyfriend Asher, eagerly enters the Hell Fest park. Unbeknownst to them, the killer from three years ago has returned, now wearing a new mask and ready for another night of terror.

    Where
    Hell Fest
  5. Encounter with Britney

    As the friends explore a haunted reform school, they meet a screaming girl named Britney, who claims she’s being chased. Initially believing it to be part of the attraction, they are horrified when the killer targets Britney, leading to a gruesome attack.

    Where
    Haunted Reform School
  6. Photo Booth Incident

    The group decides to have fun in a photo booth, but their joy quickly turns to panic when the killer appears and steals their photographs. Brooke's attempt to pursue the killer only deepens her anxiety as she loses track of him in the crowd.

    Where
    Photo Booth
  7. Gavin's Fatal Encounter

    Gavin sneaks away to win a stuffed animal for Natalie but encounters the killer in the locker room. In a brutal moment, Gavin is slain with a mallet, and the killer uses his phone to respond to Natalie, deepening the tension.

    Where
    Locker Room
  8. Ride Malfunction

    During one of the rides, a malfunction occurs, adding to the chaos as Natalie grows increasingly paranoid. She believes she has spotted the killer among the darkened crowds, signaling that the horror is far from over.

    Where
    Hell Fest Ride
  9. Asher's Tragic Fate

    While navigating a haunted maze, Quinn and Asher face the brutal tactics of the killer. Asher's life is cut short in a shocking turn of events, heightening the sense of dread for the remaining friends.

    Where
    Haunted Maze
  10. Desperate Measures

    In a moment of desperation, Natalie goes to the bathroom where she identifies the killer by a tear in his boot. Frantic, she seeks help from a security guard and Brooke, but the killer eludes them, proving this is not just a game.

    Where
    Restroom
  11. Taylor's Performance

    Taylor volunteers for a performance, believing it to be part of the fun, but becomes the killer’s next target. Natalie attempts to intervene but is restrained by security as Taylor narrowly avoids decapitation.

    Where
    Performance Stage
  12. Panic Erupts

    As the reality of a real murder sinks in, panic ensues among the park patrons. Many try to escape, realizing that the night of fun has transformed into a fight for survival.

    Where
    Hell Fest Grounds
  13. Confronting the Killer

    Natalie and Brooke seek refuge in another haunted district, where they bravely confront the killer. Despite their injuries, they successfully strike back, offering a moment of hope in their desperate escape.

    Where
    Haunted District
  14. Police Arrival

    When police finally arrive at Hell Fest, their efforts to locate the killer yield no results. The tension remains high, knowing the danger still lurks in the shadows.

    Where
    Hell Fest
  15. The Killer's Home

    In a chilling conclusion, the killer returns home to tend to his collection of masks and photographs. He greets his young daughter, who innocently acknowledges him, blissfully unaware of the horrifying legacy he is creating.

    Where
    Killer's Home

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 18:27

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Hell Fest Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Hell Fest (2018): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does the killer target people at Hell Fest amusement park?

The killer views killing as a hobby or personal amusement, similar to how someone might enjoy a thrill ride. Hell Fest provides him with the perfect cover, attendees expect to be scared, so when he chases or attacks people, others initially assume it's part of the show. This allows him to operate in plain sight while the victims and bystanders hesitate to react, thinking it's all staged.

  • killer motivation
  • halloween amusement park
  • slasher movie motive
Q2

How does the killer escape from Hell Fest after the murders?

The killer blends in with the panicked crowd as chaos erupts throughout the park. When patrons realize the murders are real and start fleeing, he uses the mass panic as cover to slip away undetected. The police arrive too late to catch him, and with his collection of different masks and normal appearance, he simply disappears into the crowd before returning to his everyday life as a father.

  • killer escape
  • police chase
  • how did he get away
Q3

Why does the killer have a daughter and what does the ending mean?

The ending reveals the killer lives a completely normal domestic life with a young daughter who adores him. This contrast is meant to be deeply unsettling, it shows he is a regular family man who commits murders as a disturbing hobby, then returns home to be a loving father. The stuffed animal he gives his daughter was won at the park, connecting his family life directly to his crimes.

  • killer daughter
  • twist ending
  • family man killer
Q4

How does the killer use Gavin's phone to trick Natalie?

After killing Gavin in the locker room with a mallet, the killer takes Gavin's phone and responds to Natalie's text messages. This creates confusion and delays her realizing Gavin is dead, making her believe he is still alive and coming to meet her. The fake texts also draw her into more isolated areas of the park where the killer can continue his attacks.

  • gavin killed
  • phone trick
  • fake texts
Q5

How does Natalie identify the killer in the bathroom?

Natalie notices a tear in the killer's boot while in the bathroom. This small detail, the torn boot, gives her a specific identifying feature to look for. It becomes her crucial clue that allows her to recognize him even when he's wearing a mask and trying to blend in with the crowd.

  • tear in boot
  • natalie identifies killer
  • how she knows
Q6

What is the connection between the opening scene and the main story?

The opening scene shows the killer's first attack three years before the main story, he killed a girl in the exact same amusement park style, stabbing her and hanging her body where it was mistaken for a prop. This establishes he is a repeat offender who has been operating for years, and when he returns to Hell Fest, it's not his first time committing murders at a horror park.

  • prologue
  • first kill
  • flashback opening
Q7

Why does Taylor survive when others are killed?

Taylor narrowly survives because security restrains Natalie just as the killer is about to decapitate her during her volunteer performance. The killer gets interrupted mid-attack when the crowd realizes the violence is real and chaos erupts. Taylor's survival is largely luck, the killer intended to kill her, but the sudden panic forced him to flee before finishing.

  • taylor survives
  • almost decapitated
  • why she lives
Q8

Why does the killer wear different masks throughout the night?

The killer changes masks throughout the night to maintain his anonymity and create different personas. The masks are part of his theatrical approach to murder, each mask gives him a new identity, making it harder for witnesses to describe him consistently. This also adds to the horror atmosphere, as the victims never see his real face, only the different scary masks he chooses.

  • masks
  • killer disguise
  • multiple identities
Q9

What happens to Asher in the haunted maze?

Asher is killed by the killer while navigating the haunted maze with Quinn. The killer uses cruel tactics to separate and trap Asher, resulting in his fatal demise. Quinn witnesses Asher's death but is unable to save him, adding to the growing body count and demonstrating the killer's method of hunting victims in the maze-like attractions.

  • asher death
  • maze kill
  • character dies
Q10

Why is the attack on Britney a turning point in the film?

Britney's attack is the moment the friends realize the violence is real, not staged. When Britney runs through screaming that she's being chased, they initially think it's part of the attraction. But when the killer actually stabs her in front of them, the horrifying truth hits, this is not a show. Natalie's naive encouragement for the killer to 'just do it' becomes a haunting moment of misunderstanding the reality before her.

  • britney attacked
  • real murder
  • turning point

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hell Fest, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Hell Fest tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Public Space Terror Slasher movies like Hell Fest

Masked killers stalk victims in crowded, festive locations, turning fun into fear. If you liked the horrifying premise of Hell Fest, you'll find similar thrills in these movies. This section features films where killers stalk their prey in crowded public venues like theme parks, malls, or festivals, turning familiar fun into a desperate fight for survival. Discover more movies like Hell Fest that master the art of public terror.

  • terrifying
  • chaotic
  • claustrophobic
  • paranoid
  • gruesome
  • desperate
  • Tone: dark, terrifying
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a group of characters entering a bustling public venue for entertainment. The narrative swiftly introduces a masked or anonymous killer who begins targeting victims within the crowd. The plot revolves around the characters' realization of the threat and their desperate attempts to survive and escape the chaotic, confined environment, often with authorities absent or ineffective.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies that share the core horror element of a public setting becoming a hunting ground. They create a specific kind of dread by juxtaposing normal, celebratory atmospheres with sudden, brutal violence, leading to a similar feeling of vulnerability and chaotic survival.

Bleak and Unrelenting Survival Horror movies like Hell Fest

Desperate fights for survival against unstoppable forces that end on a grim note. Fans of the grim, high-stakes survival struggle in Hell Fest will appreciate these similarly intense films. Explore movies that feature a desperate fight for life against a relentless predator, often ending on a somber or hopeless note. If you liked the heavy emotional weight and bleak conclusion of Hell Fest, these recommendations are for you.

  • bleak
  • gruesome
  • desperate
  • heavy
  • terrifying
  • hopeless
  • Tone: dark, bleak
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a linear survival plot where characters are systematically hunted or tested. There is little room for subplots or comic relief, maintaining a relentless focus on the immediate threat. The journey is straightforward but emotionally draining, building to a climax that often subverts the typical 'final girl' trope by leaving the threat unresolved or the victory pyrrhic.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared commitment to a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a bleak outcome. They offer a similarly intense viewing experience focused on the raw, terrifying mechanics of survival against overwhelming odds, with little catharsis.

If you liked this

Movies Like Hell Fest

Similar movies to Hell Fest: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Hell Fest (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Hell Fest in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app