The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Taking an ill-advised detour en-route to California, the Carter family soon run into trouble when their RV breaks down in the middle of the desert. Stranded, they find themselves at the mercy of monstrous cannibals lurking in the surrounding hills.
Details
Budget
$350,000
Rating
6/10 (905 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Blood Relations Co.
About The Hills Have Eyes
Wes Craven's 1977 horror film, "The Hills Have Eyes," centers on the Carter family's ill-fated road trip. Their RV breaks down in the desert, leaving them stranded and vulnerable. They soon discover they are not alone, becoming targets for a group of cannibalistic inhabitants of the surrounding hills.
The film's lean 90-minute runtime contributes to its tense atmosphere as the family struggles for survival against their attackers. As a horror entry from the late 1970s, it focuses on themes of isolation and primal fear.
"The Hills Have Eyes" maintains a consistent critical reception over time, with a Rotten Tomatoes score indicating a generally positive response and a Metacritic score suggesting a similar reception.
Why you might be searching for The Hills Have Eyes
Search queries reflect the film's memorable, often disturbing, imagery and plot points, including the desert setting, car trouble leading to encounters with dangerous locals, and graphic survival scenarios involving cannibalism and violence. Many searches also indicate confusion with similar horror movies or the film's 2006 remake.
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You can stream *The Hills Have Eyes* on Fandor, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex Player, ALLBLK (via Prime Video), and Tubi. It's also available on Blu-ray and DVD.
*The Hills Have Eyes* is based on the legend of Sawney Bean, the alleged head of a 48-person Scottish clan responsible for over 1000 murders and acts of cannibalism. Director Wes Craven was also influenced by his nightmares, his neighbors, and the film *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*.
The film concludes with Doug stabbing Mars, witnessed by Ruby, which Wes Craven intended as a role reversal to explore different facets of the human personality. The original script had a less violent ending, with the surviving family reuniting peacefully.
*The Hills Have Eyes* is considered a cult classic, earning $25 million at the box office against a budget of $350,000–$700,000. Critics have generally praised its tense narrative and dark humor, with some interpreting the film as a commentary on morality and American politics.