Crime. Comedy. Creatures.

Bunker Heights is a savage, genre-blending throwback that fuses crime thriller intensity with outrageous horror-comedy and creature-feature mayhem, channeling the anarchic spirit of 1980s and early 1990s cult cinema. Set in a decaying Midwestern city consumed by corruption, organized crime, and systemic violence, the film follows burned-out homicide detective Derek Tucker as what begins as a routine case spirals into a multi-layered nightmare involving a botched bank robbery, political assassination, and a monstrous secret lurking beneath the city streets.

Drawing direct inspiration from cult classics such as C.H.U.D., The Return of the Living Dead, and Tremors, the film embraces practical creature effects, explosive set pieces, and irreverent humor, delivering a chaotic yet carefully constructed homage to vintage creature features. The tone shifts fluidly between hard-boiled crime drama and grotesque monster spectacle, creating a hybrid experience that balances satire, violence, and offbeat charm. The underground setting becomes both a literal and metaphorical descent, as Tucker uncovers a conspiracy that connects the city’s surface corruption to something far more horrific below.

Written and directed by award-winning independent filmmaker Drew Fortier—known for Her Name Was Christa, Dwellers, and Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie—the film reflects his signature DIY ethos and commitment to practical filmmaking. Produced on a reported $30,000 budget and filmed covertly across multiple states, the production maximizes its resources through inventive staging and effects work. Creature and practical FX are handled by Deryk Wehrley (Zombieland: Double Tap, Fear Clinic), delivering tactile, old-school monster design that reinforces the film’s retro aesthetic.

The ensemble cast blends horror veterans and music icons, including Hannah Fierman (V/H/S), Chaney Morrow (Haunt), Paul T. Taylor (Hellraiser: Judgment), alongside Violent J (Insane Clown Posse), Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge), and David Ellefson (ex-Megadeth). Their performances contribute to the film’s unpredictable tone, combining genre credibility with countercultural energy. Portions of the film were shot at the reportedly haunted Old Historic Harriman Hospital, a location previously featured on paranormal television series such as Destination Fear, adding an additional layer of real-world atmosphere to the production.

This collector-oriented DVD release includes extensive supplemental material headlined by Amateur Hacks: Making Bunker Heights, an 80-minute feature-length documentary chronicling the film’s production from initial concept through post-production. Featuring nearly 30 cast and crew interviews—including contributions from Violent J, Vinnie Dombroski, and David Ellefson—the documentary provides a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and creative solutions involved in bringing the film to life. Additional features include optional English, Spanish, and French subtitles, enhancing accessibility for a wider audience.

Fresh from theatrical and festival screenings, Bunker Heights stands as a raw, ambitious, and unapologetically chaotic entry in modern independent horror—an unfiltered collision of crime, comedy, and creature horror that proudly wears its cult influences on its sleeve while carving out its own identity.

Media

Bonus Materials

• Optional English, Spanish, and French subtitles
• Amateur Hacks: Making Bunker Heights - The 80-minute feature-length documentary chronicling the production from conception through post-production with nearly 30 cast and crew interviews

Additional Details

Label: Bellini Industries

Genre: Horror

Language: English

Run Time: 106 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 10/13/26

UPC: 760137217435