‘I Heart Willie’ Review
Stars: Sergio Rogalto, Micho Camacho, Craig Morgan, Maya Luna, Daniela Porras, David Vaughn | Written by David Vaughn | Directed by Alejandro G. Alegre
In case the poster didn’t give it away, I Heart Willie is based on Steamboat Willie, the original version of Mickey Mouse. This marks yet another public domain horror film capitalizing on the recent trend of turning classic characters into nightmare fuel.
That said, I Heart Willie stands apart from most of its predecessors in a few key ways. Unlike many of the previous public domain horror films, it has no connection to the so-called “Poohniverse,” the set of horror films. Additionally, it wasn’t produced in the UK, where many of these films have originated. Instead, I Heart Willie is a Mexican production, filmed in and around Michoacán, lending it a different cultural and aesthetic flavour than its predecessors.
Plot-wise, however, it follows a familiar trajectory. The film centres around a group of YouTube ghost hunters investigating an urban legend. The duo of Daniel (Sergio Rogalto; Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, False Identity) and Nico (Micho Camacho; The Devil Told Me What to Do, They Were Witches) receive an invitation to explore the rumours surrounding a boy allegedly born with severe deformities, resulting in a human-mouse hybrid appearance that supposedly inspired the design of Steamboat Willie.
According to local legend, this figure remains alive and lurking within a decrepit property where an unusual number of disappearances have occurred. The prologue confirms for us that something indeed still haunts the location when an unsuspecting exterminator (Craig Morgan) encounters a rodent that turns the tables on him in a violent and unexpected way.
As Daniel, Nico, and their companions Nora (Maya Luna) and Jess (Daniela Porras; Love at Mariposa Beach, Dani Who?) arrive on-site, they quickly discover that the legend is far from myth. Willie (David Vaughn; The Houses October Built, Copshop) is still very much alive—and he has developed a horrifying hobby. Not content with merely hiding in the shadows, Willie crafts masks and full-body suits from the skin of his victims, turning his grotesque appearance into a nightmarish reality.
Following the suspenseful and well-executed opening kill, the film becomes dialogue-heavy. Given the small cast of only four potential victims, this isn’t entirely unexpected. However, we find out something about one of the characters that should be a red flag for anyone familiar with horror tropes. Unfortunately, writer/actor David Vaughn (SINISTER: The Haunting of Kristi Rivera, 2050) and director Alejandro G. Alegre (Inicuo: The Brotherhood, Patient 27) proceed as if they haven’t just undercut their own suspense. The result is a second act that drags, making the film feel longer than it actually is.
When the violence finally ramps up, I Heart Willie delivers in terms of gore. The kills are brutal, and the filmmakers don’t shy away from showing Willie’s sadistic pleasure in skinning his victims alive. However, the body count remains too low for a truly effective slasher, and the predictable nature of the plot leaves little room for genuine tension. Alegre, who also handled cinematography and effects, may have been spread too thin. His strengths lie in creating eerie visuals and grotesque practical effects, but the direction feels underwhelming
By the final act, I Heart Willie devolves into a bargain-bin Hostel knockoff, with Willie capturing and torturing the remaining characters. While the script does attempt a last-minute twist, it had already been spoiled in the first act, making the revelation feel underwhelming. The film ultimately lacks the clever subversion or surprises that could have set it apart from similar horror efforts.
One of the film’s biggest drawbacks is the acting. The cast, all native Spanish speakers, deliver their performances in English, and the results are awkward and stilted. Their line deliveries feel unnatural, which makes it hard to get into the film. A Spanish-language version with subtitles would likely have worked much better, or at the very least, a competent dub could have improved the experience.
Ultimately, I Heart Willie had the potential to be an effective slasher in the vein of Popeye’s Revenge, with a genuinely eerie setting and a willingness to embrace gore. However, weak performances, a predictable script, and an uneven tone drag the film down to the level of The Mouse Trap and Piglet. While it offers a few gruesome thrills, it fails to leave a lasting impression.
*½ 1.5/5
Hewes Pictures and Rubey Entertainment will release I Heart Willie in theatres across the US and Canada for one night only TONIGHT, February 26th. A list of participating theatres can be found at https://iheartwillie.com. A digital release will follow at a yet-to-be-announced date.
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