Common Sense Media Review
By Weiting Liu
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
True crime turns deadly in tired, gory slasher horror show.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hell Motel
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In HELL MOTEL, 10 true crime obsessives are invited to the grand reopening of the Cold River Motel, the site of a gruesome 1995 satanic mass murder. Among the guests are Paige (Paula Brancati), a cynical scream queen-turned-podcaster; Adriana (Genevieve DeGraves), a flight attendant with a fascination for serial killers; Kawayan (Emmanuel Kabongo), an artist whose work centers around murder; and Blake (Atticus Mitchell), a survivor of a past massacre. They're welcomed by the motel's co-managers, Ruby (Brynn Godenir) and Portia (Michelle Nolden), a married couple with secrets of their own. When a violent storm traps the guests overnight, strange events begin to unfold—and the killings resume. A masked figure in a Baphomet costume stalks the premises, and as paranoia spreads and bodies pile up, the survivors must untangle who among them is real, who's pretending, and whether the killings are human—or something darker.
Is It Any Good?
A serviceable entry in the slasher genre, it does little to distinguish itself. Hell Motel's premise—true crime fans gathering at the site of an old mass murder only to be hunted by a masked killer—feels all too familiar. And the ensemble structure adds bulk without depth. In a genre that has been retold countless times, the show offers neither a new angle nor a striking execution. While the story includes the expected twists, they never quite subvert the tropes they rely on.
The acting is wildly inconsistent: Some performances are solid, but others are flat-out amateurish. The writing often veers into awkward territory, with dialogue that feels unintentionally funny rather than satirical. Even the kills, which should be the gory high point, lack inventiveness or flair. There's no real tension, no memorable set piece, and nothing technical—no direction, pacing, or atmosphere—that elevates the age-old material. While it's merely watchable, Hell Motel struggles to rise above mediocrity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Hell Motel suggests about the ethics of true crime consumption. Does the show hold its characters—or its audience—accountable for turning real trauma into entertainment?
How does the presence of a gay couple and a drag queen character shape the dynamics of horror? And are these representations integrated meaningfully into the story?
Does the show's ensemble cast raise or lower the emotional stakes? And does the show effectively balance character development with the slasher genre's over-the-top nature?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 17, 2025
- Cast : Brynn Godenir , Michelle Nolden , Emmanuel Kabongo
- Network : AMC+
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Ghosts , Monsters ) , Holidays ( Halloween ) , Travel
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 19, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate