{{Short description|2023 American film by Tony Olmos}} {{Redirect-distinguish-text|Hemet (film)|Hemmet (film), Hammet (film), or Hamnet (film)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | image = Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea.jpg | caption = Poster | director = Tony Olmos | writer = Brian Patrick Butler | producer = Tony Olmos | starring = {{Plainlist| *Kimberly Weinberger *Brian Patrick Butler *Aimee La Joie *Randy Davison *Merrick McCartha *Matthew Rhodes *Nick Young *Pierce Wallace }} | cinematography = Justin Burquist | editing = Brian Patrick Butler | music = Anton Elms | studio = {{Plainlist| *Charybdis Pictures *Rosewood Five }} | distributor = BayView Entertainment | released = {{Film date|2023|11|18|San Diego Film Week|2024|11|26|VOD}} | runtime = 89 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = $29,000 }} '''''Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea''''' is a 2023 American satirical comedy horror film directed by Tony Olmos and written by Brian Patrick Butler. Butler also leads the ensemble cast that includes Kimberly Weinberger, Aimee La Joie, Randy Davison, Merrick McCartha, and Nick Young. Olmos and Butler produced the film together through their companies Rosewood Five and Charybdis Pictures. The story focuses on tenants who grapple with each other while attempting to oust their fascistic landlord.
The film is set in a fictional dystopia in Riverside County, California but was filmed in San Diego County with a microbudget in 2021. Some key aspects of the film involve capitalism and fairy tales, as well as slasher film and zombie apocalypse tropes. The film premiered in 2023 at Digital Gym Cinema for San Diego Film Week, screening at Oceanside International Film Festival and Hemet Film Festival in 2024. It was released on video on demand on November 26, 2024, where it was distributed by BayView Entertainment.
The film was received as a political satire with mixed reviews from critics. Some complimented the originality, humor, special effects, and performances of Weinberger and Butler, while others found issues with pacing, some dialogue, and unlikable characters. Butler received nominations for acting, screenplay, and editing at the 13th Oceanside International Film Festival.
==Plot== During an epidemic in Hemet, California, that is turning bath salt users into cannibals, landlady Liz Topham-Myrtle (Brian Patrick Butler) grows more vicious toward her tenants every day. For some, she revokes privileges such as their parking spot, while others are faced with eviction, all for no reason other than Liz's seemingly random cruelty. With the local law enforcement also under her thumb, Liz seems unstoppable.
A tenant named Rosie (Kimberly Weinberger) tolerates Liz in fear of what might happen if she is evicted, while Gary (Matthew Rhodes) formulates a plan to overthrow his oppressor. When Gary begins enacting his plan, Liz amps up her abuse of the tenants, drawing Rosie into a web of paranoia that hurtles them all down a path of explosive violence.
==Cast== {{Cast listing| *Kimberly Weinberger as Rosie Perkins *Brian Patrick Butler as Liz Topham-Myrtle *Aimee La Joie as Kate Myrtle *Randy Davison as Sheriff Hunting *Merrick McCartha as Martin *Matthew Rhodes as Gary *Nick Young as Tank *Pierce Wallace as Howie Stumpp *Jake Golden as Willy Christensen *Mia Gascon as Emma Myrtle *Derrick Acosta as Mickey *Mark Atkinson as Keith *Aleksander D'Avignon as Jason *Sandy Nissou as Madeleine Duncan *Michael J. Kim as Prostitute *Mark Allyn as President Phil Graves *Derrick Mangin as Deputy *Alice Bé as Homeless Woman *Marie Cuvadar as Newscaster *Tony Gorodeckas as T.V. Reporter *Scott Schramp as New Tenant *Tanya Ruth Linsdau as New Tenant *Roger Guy English as Saltie *Savannah Hayworth as Saltie *Allie Pizzo as Saltie }}
==Production== thumb|182x182px|The setting of film is Hemet, in Riverside County, California. Brian Patrick Butler came up with the idea in 2018<ref name="Elling-2023">{{Cite web |last=Elling |first=Regina |date=2023-11-16 |title=Filming of indie thriller 'Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea,' in Ramona was a family affair |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ramona-sentinel/news/story/2023-11-16/ramona-home-serves-as-location-for-indie-horror-movie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118011033/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ramona-sentinel/news/story/2023-11-16/ramona-home-serves-as-location-for-indie-horror-movie |archive-date=2023-11-18 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Ramona Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref> and principal photography took place in the summer of 2021 in San Diego County, California.<ref name="Brewer-2023">{{Cite web |last=Brewer |first=Mac |date=2023-11-15 |title=Charybdis Pictures Releases Trailer for Horror Comedy 'HEMET' Ahead of Premiere |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2023/11/15/charybdis-pictures-releases-trailer-for-horror-comedy-hemet-ahead-of-premiere/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Ashcraft-2024">{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Anna |date=2024-01-13 |title=These San Diego films will be featured in 2024 Oceanside Film Festival |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/entertainment/these-san-diego-films-will-be-featured-in-2024-oceanside-film-festival/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113015631/https://fox5sandiego.com/entertainment/these-san-diego-films-will-be-featured-in-2024-oceanside-film-festival/ |archive-date=2024-01-13 |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=KSWB-TV |language=en-US}}</ref> He said by the time he was finishing the script, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had "much more material to work with"<ref name="Elling-2023" /> than when he'd started, referring to the state of the world.<ref name="Gallant-2024">{{Cite web |last=Gallant |first=Julie |date=2024-02-20 |title=Poway actress stars in dark comedy showing at Oceanside International Film Festival |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/news/story/2024-02-20/poway-actress-aimee-la-joie-stars-in-hemet-film-being-shown-at-the-oceanside-international-film-festival |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506043818/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/news/story/2024-02-20/poway-actress-aimee-la-joie-stars-in-hemet-film-being-shown-at-the-oceanside-international-film-festival |archive-date=2024-05-06 |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Poway News Chieftain |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Brewer-2024">{{Cite web |last=Brewer |first=Mac |date=2024-02-20 |title=Dystopian Horror Satire, HEMET To Close Oceanside International Film Festival |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2024/02/20/dystopian-horror-satire-hemet-to-close-oceanside-international-film-festival/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}</ref> Kimberly Weinberger, who played Rosie, attended college with Butler.<ref name="Elling-2023" /> Aimee La Joie and Nick Young also worked with Butler on previous film productions.<ref name="Gallant-2024" /><ref name="Harrison-2024">{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Eddie |date=2024-02-22 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea |url=https://film-authority.com/2024/02/22/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=film-authority |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Butler was also the film's executive producer<ref name="Elling-2023" /> with his production company Charybdis Pictures.<ref name="Brewer-2023" /> Justin Burquist signed on as the director of photography<ref name="Bazarte-2024">{{Cite web |last=Bazarte |first=Karina |date=2024-02-02 |title=Imperial Valley native to screen film at an international film festival |url=https://kyma.com/the-good-stuff/2024/02/02/imperial-valley-native-to-screen-film-at-an-international-film-festival/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203025402/https://kyma.com/the-good-stuff/2024/02/02/imperial-valley-native-to-screen-film-at-an-international-film-festival/ |archive-date=2024-02-03 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=KECY-TV |language=en-US}}</ref> and Tony Olmos as director. Olmos' company Rosewood Five produced the film in association with Rob Padilla Jr. of Irontree Entertainment.<ref name="Brewer-2023" /> The budget of the film was $29,000<ref name="Zee-2025">{{Cite web |last=Zee |first=Michaela |date=2025-01-07 |title='Skinamarink' Studio's $29,000 Horror Satire 'Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea' Debuts Clip Ahead of AVOD Release (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-clip-avod-release-1236263964/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118042508/https://variety.com/2025/film/news/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-clip-avod-release-1236263964/ |archive-date=2025-01-18 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Squires-2025">{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=2025-01-07 |title=Horror Satire 'Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea' Coming to Tubi This Month [Trailer] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3849897/horror-satire-hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-coming-to-tubi-this-month-trailer/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DiMoro |first=Anthony |date=2025-01-07 |title='Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea' Heading to Tubi This Month {{!}} Fright Nerd |url=https://frightnerd.com/2025/01/07/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-heading-to-tubi-this-month/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the setting is in Hemet, California.<ref name="Love Horror">{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Emily |date=2024-11-14 |title='Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea' Explores Tyranny in Twisted Dark Comedy {{!}} Love Horror film reviews and news |url=https://lovehorror.co.uk/horror-news/88926/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-explores-tyranny-in-twisted-dark-comedy/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=lovehorror.co.uk |language=en-US}}</ref> Exterior scenes were filmed in Ramona, California<ref name="Elling-2023" /> and interior shots in La Jolla.<ref name="Mackin-Solomon-2024">{{Cite web |last=Mackin-Solomon |first=Ashley |date=2024-01-14 |title='Good type of cringey': La Jolla filmmaker to screen latest creation at Oceanside International Film Festival |url=https://www.lajollalight.com/personalities/story/2024-01-14/good-kind-of-cringy-la-jolla-filmmaker-to-screen-latest-creation-at-oceanside-international-film-festival |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124034007/https://www.lajollalight.com/personalities/story/2024-01-14/good-kind-of-cringy-la-jolla-filmmaker-to-screen-latest-creation-at-oceanside-international-film-festival |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=La Jolla Light |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Genres and themes==
=== B movie slasher === Battle Royale With Cheese said it has "''Texas Chainsaw Massacre'' influence."<ref name="Teal-2025">{{Cite web |last=Teal |first=Josiah |date=2025-07-14 |title=Hemet, Or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea: Review |url=https://battleroyalewithcheese.com/2025/07/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-review/ |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Battle Royale With Cheese |language=en-GB}}</ref> Film Carnage indicated the film is "playing by its own rules and embracing the b-movie vibe."<ref name="Cherry-2024" /> Film Purgatory suggested a complex addition to the genre, calling it a "B-movie with A-movie ideas."<ref name="Gonzalaez-2024">{{Cite web |last=Gonzalaez |first=Owen |date=2024-12-07 |title=Hemet (2023) - Movie Review |url=https://filmpurgatory.com/hemet-2023-a-tale-of-evil-landlords-and-the-zombie-apocalypse/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Film Purgatory |language=en-US}}</ref> 1428 Elm noted slasher elements.<ref name="Fanelli-2024">{{Cite web |last=Fanelli |first=Brian |date=2024-01-25 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea: Beware the killer landlady |url=https://1428elm.com/posts/hemet-or-the-landlady-don-t-drink-tea-beware-the-killer-landlady-01hmpbdwedf1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125172054/https://1428elm.com/posts/hemet-or-the-landlady-don-t-drink-tea-beware-the-killer-landlady-01hmpbdwedf1 |archive-date=2024-01-25 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=1428 Elm |language=en-US}}</ref> Film Threat said it matches the tone of ''The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2'', "but with the energy of a stage play"<ref name="Devir-2024" /> and About Boulder noted Butler's character resembles "Granny Leatherface."<ref name="Brennan">{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Tim |title=Not A Leg to Stand On {{!}} About Boulder County Colorado - Visitor and Local Guide to Boulder County Colorado |date=16 December 2024 |url=https://aboutboulder.com/blog/not-a-leg-to-stand-on/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |language=en-US}}</ref> Horrorverse said it is as if Butler is "taking cues from Leatherface, circa ''The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation''."<ref name="Delores">{{Cite web |last=Delores |first=Bee |title=Our favorite colorful horror 🩷, 'Saint Clare' literally kills 🔪, A mind-melting double feature 📺, & more! |url=https://horrorville.beehiiv.com/p/054 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Horrorverse |language=en}}</ref>
=== Capitalism and political satire === thumb|252x252px|Some critics said the film centers around capitalism.|left Jim McLennan at Film Blitz said the film "takes wild, swinging punches at everything from capitalism to pandemic response," noting "The apartment complex stands in for society in microcosm". He also acknowledged an expansion of ideas from Butler's previous screenplay ''Friend of the World'', "while remaining an exercise in the world falling apart when subjected to external pressures."<ref name="McLennan-2024">{{Cite web |last=McLennan |first=Jim |date=2024-06-17 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023) |url=https://filmblitz.org/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-2023/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Film Blitz |language=en-US}}</ref> Film critic Eddie Harrison suggested the film "aims to take down the American/capitalist dream in bloody, unpleasant fashion."<ref name="Harrison-2024" /> Elements of Madness compared the foul-mouthed political nature of the film to William Shakespeare, saying the film "speaks to the current groundlings about relevant issues of housing, community, safety, and the failure of the U.S. government to take care of its citizenry by focusing on capitalism over people."<ref name="Davidson-2024" />
''Variety'' stated that it "includes elements of political satire that highlight issues of authority and rebellion."<ref name="Zee-2025" /> Olmos said it is a political film about "abuse of power and how power corrupts people and can turn neighbor against neighbor."<ref name="Mackin-Solomon-2024" /> Voices from the Balcony praised the "hysterical, social and political commentary."<ref name="Morazzini-2024">{{Cite web |last=Morazzini |first=Jim |date=2024-11-25 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2024) Review |url=https://www.voicesfromthebalcony.com/2024/11/25/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-2024-review/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Voices from the Balcony |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219220221/https://www.voicesfromthebalcony.com/2024/11/25/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-2024-review/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Film critic Sean Parker at 25YL claims it is "the absurd political satire we need now".<ref name="Parker-2024">{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Sean |date=2024-12-02 |title=Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea is The Absurd Political Satire We Need Now |url=https://www.25yearslatersite.com/2024/12/02/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217163303/https://www.25yearslatersite.com/2024/12/02/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |archive-date=2024-12-17 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=25YL |language=en-US}}</ref> Anton Bitel at Projected Figures said, "Tony Olmos' crude dystopian satire pits desperate tenants against a Trumpian lessor – and each other."<ref name="Bitel-2024">{{Cite web |last=Bitel |first=Anton |date=2024-01-24 |title=Hemet, Or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023) |url=https://projectedfigures.com/2024/01/24/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124123617/https://projectedfigures.com/2024/01/24/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-2023/ |archive-date=2024-01-24 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Projected Figures |language=en-GB}}</ref> Film Carnage concluded, "It's as if you merged satire with exploitation and created a strange kind of crooked comedy."<ref name="Cherry-2024">{{Cite web |last=Cherry |first=Rebecca |date=2024-11-17 |title=Review: Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea |url=https://filmcarnage.com/2024/11/17/review-hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Film Carnage |language=en}}</ref>
=== Dystopia and fairy tale === Morbidly Beautiful said it is set in the "dystopian future with fairy tale aspects."<ref name="Spark-2024" /> Film critic Anton Bitel also described it as a dystopia with the character Liz resembling "a witch and a troll for the almost fairy tale nature of her wickedness."<ref name="Bitel-2024" /> Stuart Monroe called it a "satirical fairy tale horror."<ref name="Monroe-2024" /> Elements of Madness said the film "fulfills its promise as a fairy tale (Grimm style) that cautions audiences that eating the rich creates a vacuum that's best filled with uplifting forces or we're just going to end up where we started."<ref name="Davidson-2024">{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Douglas |date=2024-12-27 |title=Entering stage right, Tony Olmos's horror satire "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea." |url=https://elementsofmadness.com/2024/12/27/hemet/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Elements of Madness |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Zombie apocalypse === Critics describe the zombies in the film as people driven homicidal by bath salts.<ref name="McLennan-2024" /><ref name="Morazzini-2024" /><ref name="Parker-2024" /> Film Threat called it an epidemic of homeless flesh eaters,<ref name="Devir-2024" /> and 1428 Elm said there is "a zombie-like narrative and epidemic that plays out", but it is mostly part of the setting.<ref name="Fanelli-2024" /> Film Purgatory points out that although the zombies are not the main focus of the story, there are references to ''Night of the Living Dead'' filmmaker George Romero and ''28 Days Later''.<ref name="Gonzalaez-2024" /> Upcoming Horror Films mentioned the Miami cannibal attack<ref name="Brown-2025">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Meredith |date=2025-08-12 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2024) |url=https://www.upcominghorrormovies.com/review/hemet-or-landlady-dont-drink-tea-2024 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=UHM - UpcomingHorrorMovies |language=en}}</ref> and some said the film indirectly references the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="McLennan-2024" /><ref name="Davidson-2024" /><ref name="Parker-2024" /><ref name="Gidney-2024" />
==Release== ''Hemet'' premiered on November 18, 2023, at the Digital Gym Cinema<ref name="Brewer-2023" /> as part of San Diego Film Week.<ref name="Elling-2023" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea - Saturday, November 18, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. |url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/events/2023/nov/18/local-feature-film-premiere-hemet-o/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=San Diego Reader |language=en}}</ref> It screened at the 13th Oceanside International Film Festival on February 24, 2024<ref name="Ashcraft-2024" /><ref name="Bazarte-2024" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burnham |first=Christine |date=2024-01-25 |title=Screening Soon At The Oceanside International Film Festival: 'Hemet, Or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea' |url=https://pophorror.com/screening-soon-at-the-oceanside-international-film-festival-hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125072028/https://pophorror.com/screening-soon-at-the-oceanside-international-film-festival-hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |archive-date=2024-01-25 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=PopHorror |language=en-US}}</ref> and at the Hemet Film Festival on November 9, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-28 |title=Hemet Film Festival returns for second year |url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/2024/10/28/hemet-film-festival-returns-for-second-year/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Press Enterprise |language=en-US}}</ref> It was released on video on demand on November 26, 2024, and was distributed by BayView Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hemet_or_the_landlady_dont_drink_tea |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en}}</ref> In 2025, it was released on Tubi.<ref name="Zee-2025" /><ref name="Squires-2025" />
==Reception== === Critical response === {{RT film|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|3={{RT data|count}}|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} On the review aggregator website CherryPicks, 68% of reviews are positively represented by two cherries, signifying it is "worth a trip to the theater or catching when you can."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea – Cherry Score 68% |url=https://www.thecherrypicks.com/films/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=CherryPicks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CherryPicks FAQ |url=https://www.thecherrypicks.com/faq |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=CherryPicks}}</ref>
Cain Noble-Davies at FilmInk scored it 15 out of 20, calling it "Tromaesque," comparing it to ''Delicatessen'', ''Titus Andronicus'', ''Pink Flamingos'', and stated Butler "is way too effective at portraying the final boss of all psycho biddies." Noble-Davies claimed it is "bonkers with a purpose. Its tar-black comedy and terrific practical effects underpin a blunt but impactful satire on modern America, pulling various pages from the cannibal's playbook to create a uniquely cracked gem of a film."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noble-Davies |first=Cain |date=2025-05-19 |title=Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/reviews/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=FilmInk |language=en-AU}}</ref>
J. Zimmerman at Video Librarian highly recommended the film, scoring it 4 out of 5, calling it "a fantastic example of modern satire", "an outstanding fairy-tale-like horror flick with a smarmy edge", and "has great potential to earn the coveted position of a cult classic in the coming decades."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=J. |date=2025-02-24 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea |url=https://videolibrarian.com/reviews/film/hemet-or-the-landlady-don-t-drink-tea/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225232001/https://videolibrarian.com/reviews/film/hemet-or-the-landlady-don-t-drink-tea/ |archive-date=2025-02-25 |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Video Librarian |language=en-us}}</ref> Jim Morazzini at Voices from the Balcony gave it a 4 out of 5, saying they were "entertained and amused by this combination of crude humour and smart satire."<ref name="Morazzini-2024" />
Rebecca Cherry at Film Carnage scored it 7 out of 10, describing it as "an interesting and unusual take on a number of current issues."<ref name="Cherry-2024" /> Douglas Davidson at Elements of Madness called it "an entertaining farce that would've felt so far from the truth if not for recent history cementing otherwise," scoring it 3.5 out of 5.<ref name="Davidson-2024" /> Stuart Monroe at Get On My Damn Level said the film is 3.5 out of 5 and "one mean mother of an absurdly surrealistic fairy tale."<ref name="Monroe-2024">{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Stuart |date=2024-03-03 |title=Movie Review: "Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea" (2024) |url=https://www.getonmydamnlevel.com/blog/2024/3/3/movie-review-hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-2024 |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Get On My Damn Level!! |language=en-US}}</ref> Charlotte Spark at Morbidly Beautiful gave the film 3.5 out of 5, comparing it to ''Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'', stating "it didn't fully resonate," but had "strong performances and quite a few laughs."<ref name="Spark-2024">{{Cite web |last=Spark |first=Charlotte |date=2024-03-28 |title=Reel Review: Hemet, Or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea |url=https://morbidlybeautiful.com/reel-review-hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Morbidly Beautiful |language=en-US}}</ref> Sean Parker at 25YL drew comparisons to the Coen brothers, Shakespeare, and the films of John Waters.<ref name="Parker-2024" />{{Quote box | quote = I think it's more than just profanity that unsettles – it's the themes discussed, the pictures painted with the words. A worldview expressed that is truly despicable. | author = –Brian Patrick Butler<ref name="Love Horror" /> | align = left | width = 275px }}
Bee Delores at Horrorverse said it is "a delightfully campy crime/thriller that possesses thematic relevancy."<ref name="Delores" /> Jenna Jarvish at Ginger Nuts of Horror compared ''Hemet'' to ''Shaun of the Dead'' and ''The Dead Don't Die'', but stated it has "a point of view that feels completely fresh."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jarvish |first=Jenna |date=2025-07-03 |title=Hemet, Or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea, Movie Review - The Ginger Nuts Of Horror Review Website 03/07/2025 |url=https://gnofhorror.com/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-movie-review/ |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Ginger Nuts of Horror |language=en-GB}}</ref> A review at Film Blitz scored it a B− calling it a "malevolent atrocity," comparing it to ''Tootsie'' and ''Monty Python's Flying Circus.<ref name="McLennan-2024" />''
Meredith Brown at Upcoming Horror Films scored it 6 out of 10, saying it has "sharp-witted dialogue and adequate horror humor."<ref name="Brown-2025" /> Eddie Harrison at film-authority scored it 3 out of 5 and said it is a gore film that is "a biting, scabrous, no-holds barred satire."<ref name="Harrison-2024" /> Norman Gidney at HorrorBuzz scored it 6 out of 10, calling it a "campy little indie nugget of joy."<ref name="Gidney-2024">{{Cite web |last=Gidney |first=Norman |date=2024-11-05 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea |url=https://horrorbuzz.com/movies/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=HorrorBuzz |language=en-US}}</ref> Loron Hays at Reel Reviews scored it 3 out of 5, saying "it doesn't always work, but lightning absolutely crashes when it does."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hays |first=Loron |date=2025-07-09 |title=Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2025) - Review |url=https://www.reelreviews.com/intheaters/hemet-movie-review |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Reel Reviews}}</ref>
Brian Fanelli at 1428 Elm said it has "heart, grit, laughs, and bloodshed" and is "for those who like something truly strange and unusual."<ref name="Fanelli-2024" /> Celia Payne at Let's Talk Terror said "It's like watching a reality show where they all get to murder each other."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Celia |date=2025-02-06 |title=REVIEW — Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2024) |url=https://letstalkterror.com/review-hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-2024/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> Josiah Teal at Battle Royale With Cheese described it as "very ''Clerks''-esque; other moments are straight from the vibes of Tarantino, and even the horrifying hillbilly ethos of early Rob Zombie." They said it has "all the right inspiration to create the wacky, violent film promised, but lacks all the charm to make it a camp classic."<ref name="Teal-2025" />
Some critics who did not like the film still gave praise to the performances of Weinberger and Butler.<ref name="Chinnici-2024" /><ref name="Brennan" /><ref name="Propes-2024" /> Clotilde Chinnici at Loud and Clear Reviews gave the film 2.5 out of 5, claiming it had "tense atmosphere" but that it "could have landed a lot better if its characters had been explored more."<ref name="Chinnici-2024">{{Cite web |last=Chinnici |first=Clotilde |date=2024-02-24 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea Review |url=https://loudandclearreviews.com/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-review/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Loud And Clear Reviews |language=en-US}}</ref> A review at Scared Sheepless also scored it 2.5 out of 5, calling it "a small town thriller with much bigger satire at heart."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Downs |first=Caitlyn |date=2025-07-06 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea |url=https://scaredsheepless.wordpress.com/2025/07/06/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Scared Sheepless |language=en}}</ref> Tim Brennan at About Boulder compared Butler's writing of dialogue to Quentin Tarantino and Diablo Cody, but said he disliked the similarities between the characters' wry personalities.<ref name="Brennan" /> The Independent Critic scored it 2 out of 4 and said it is "for those who appreciate the ballsier side of indie cinema."<ref name="Propes-2024">{{Cite web |last=Propes |first=Richard |date=2024-11-28 |title=Movie Review: Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea |url=https://theindependentcritic.com/hemet_or_the_landlady_don_t_drink_tea |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Independent Critic}}</ref>
Simon Thompson at Bloody Flicks drew comparisons to ''The Greasy Strangler'', ''Mrs. Brown's Boys'', and ''Serial Mom'', but said that ''Hemet'' has "scripting issues," "the swearing is structured around clever wordplay," and it "doesn't help that the film's antagonist Liz, is a pound shop Dame Edna Everage."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Simon |date=2025-07-08 |title=Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea review |url=https://bloody-flicks.co.uk/2025/07/08/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea-review/ |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Bloody Flicks |language=en}}</ref> Ryan Devir at Film Threat said it had "solid gore and impressive kills," but criticized the characters, dialogue and humor, scoring it 3.5 out of 10.<ref name="Devir-2024">{{Cite web |last=Devir |first=Ryan |date=2024-03-27 |title=Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea Featured, Reviews Film Threat |url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Film Threat |language=en-US}}</ref> Roger Moore at Movie Nation scored it 1 out of 4, stating it has "cultish comedy with a few laughs, undercooked politics and undigested zombie victims."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Roger |date=2025-01-15 |title=Movie Review: Zombie Apocalypse is the least of This Cali Hamlet's problems — "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea" |url=https://rogersmovienation.com/2025/01/15/movie-review-zombie-apocalypse-is-the-least-of-this-cali-hamlets-problems-hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Movie Nation |language=en}}</ref>
=== Accolades === {| class="wikitable" !Festival !Year !Award !Recipient(s) !Result !Ref. |- |San Diego Film Week |2023 |Best Dark Comedy Feature Film |''Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 San Diego Film Week Award Nominations |url=https://sdfilmweek.com/2023/2023-san-diego-film-week-award-nominations/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=2023 San Diego Film Week |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |Oceanside International Film Festival | rowspan="3" |2024 |Best Editing in a Feature | rowspan="3" |Brian Patrick Butler |{{nom}} | rowspan="3" |<ref name="Zee-2025" /><ref name="Gallant-2024" /><ref name="Brewer-2024" /> |- |Best Screenplay (Feature) |{{nom}} |- |Best Actor in a Lead Role |{{nom}} |- | rowspan="6" |San Diego Film Awards | rowspan="6" |2024 |Best Makeup/Hair in a Narrative Feature Film |Sandy Nissou, John Aviles, Elizabeth Lawson |{{won}} |<ref name="Zee-2025" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 San Diego Film Awards Winners |url=https://filmconsortiumsd.com/2024-san-diego-film-awards-winners/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Film Consortium San Diego |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627200702/https://filmconsortiumsd.com/2024-san-diego-film-awards-winners/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |Best Costume Design in a Narrative Feature Film |Sandy Nissou |{{nom}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Susan |date=2024-06-19 |title=EAST COUNTY NOMINEES FOR SAN DIEGO FILM AWARDS {{!}} East County Magazine |url=https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/east-county-nominees-san-diego-film-awards |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=East County Magazine}}</ref> |- |Best Ensemble Cast in a Narrative Feature Film |Various |{{nom}} |- |Best Lead Actor in a Narrative Feature Film |Brian Patrick Butler |{{nom}} | rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 San Diego Film Award Nominees |url=https://filmconsortiumsd.com/2024-san-diego-film-awards-nominees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427055248/https://filmconsortiumsd.com/2024-san-diego-film-awards-nominees/ |archive-date=2024-04-27 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Film Consortium San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Best Narrative Feature Film |Tony Olmos, Brian Patrick Butler, Rob Padilla Jr. |{{nom}} |- |Best Original Screenplay in a Narrative Feature Film |Brian Patrick Butler |{{nom}} |}
==See also==
* ''Bath Salt Zombies'' * ''The People Under the Stairs'', a 1991 American comedy horror film depicting landlords with similar themes of satire, capitalism and class conflict * Cannibalism in popular culture
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb title|14997216}} *{{Letterboxd title|id=hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea}} *{{Metacritic film|id=hemet-or-the-landlady-dont-drink-tea}} *{{TV Guide movie|id=2060187656}} *{{YouTube|id=1nRZms2RiWM|title=''Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea''}} *{{YouTube|id=xJiH1YPMKUg|title=Trailer}} *{{YouTube|id=MK0jOUovWHA|title=OIFF Interview with Butler}} {{Tony Olmos|state=expanded}}{{Brian Patrick Butler}}
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