Movie Review: The Hermit (2026)

The Hermit Movie Review from Matt Boiselle

The Hermit: Directed by Salvatore Sclafani and written by William Walkerly, and starring Malina Pauli Weissman, Anthony Turpel and Lou Ferrigno

Synopsis: While on a family vacation to the woods, a girl and her boyfriend are forced to defend themselves when they run into a cannibalistic pig farmer.

I honestly think the last time I’d seen “The Incredible Hulk’s” main man in green, Lou Ferrigno was when he was guest spotting on the hit TV show “The King Of Queens” and I guess it’s safe to say that in Director Salvatore Sclafani’s “The Hermit”, Mr. Ferrigno has channeled that inner hulk-rage to his benefit – welcome back, sir. The film itself plays like a survivor’s story, with the main character Lisa (Weissman) recounting her tale to a crime television show host (Julie Chang) about how she was reeled in by her angry widower father to go on a family bonding retreat. Lisa’s only salvation in this mess was to have her boyfriend (Turpel) tag along for some forest fun…that is until they encounter a mentally challenged pig farmer who has the corner market on some rather tasty jerky sold in town (yeah, you can figure out the ingredients).

As the film rolls along there’s a disconnect of sorts as we watch the events unfold and the scenes in which Lisa is retelling how things went down, and it comes off clunky and ill-paced with the jumping back and forth making a seamless, cohesive story that much harder to attain. Aside from the wayward plot-lines, the overall product is moderately fun with Ferrigno doing his best as the larger-than-life recluse who is only too happy to run his own hand-crafted spear through some unsuspecting passerby’s. I’d really hoped for more gore to be sprayed around, but it appeared to be in the minimal usage category, which isn’t necessarily a detriment, but if you’re a true fan of the jettisoning crimson then you’ll be a bit under whelmed.

Overall, Weissman is adequate in her role as the sullen final girl – is she likeable in the role? Well no, but the performance is what was intended, so I’d certainly call that a win, and Turpel also nailed down his portrayal of the overly annoying boyfriend – hey, you want roles in horror films, then you’d better be prepared to play one end of the character spectrum or the other. “The Hermit” most assuredly won’t knock anyone in the horror audience for a loop with its production & presentation, instead playing it safe for the masses and fitting tightly into the “banal box”, if you’re so inclined to label it as such. Think of viewing this one as taking a trip into the woods and actually making it out unscathed with boring stories to tell your friends when you return home.

“The Hermit” was released on March 3rd, 2026 and can be found on most VOD streaming services.