‘Hayseed’ Review – A Cozy, Thrilling, And Shrewd Whodunnit

Like coffee and donuts, the whodunnit pairs well with comedy, and Hayseed, directed by Travis Burgess, is a delicious pairing. The film is set in the Rustbelt; a reverend is found dead, prompting an insurance investigator, Leo Hobbins (Bill Sage), to arrive for what is initially a formality. Despite the death being ruled an accident, Darlene (Ismina Mendes), the church secretary, suspects foul play. Enter Hobbins, who partners with her to uncover what happened to the reverend. What follows is a sharp murder mystery that will have audiences piecing together the puzzle. There are laughs, intelligent dialogue, and clever twists.

Set, over twenty-four hours, the two sleuths partner together to unpack a money bag full of lies. The location of a small midwestern town is a nice change of space for the genre that usually sees foreign locales or country-side manors. The small-town atmosphere allows the characters to pop. Characters in a whodunnit are often chess pieces, but in Hayseed, each is a personality as much a cog in the plot. This part makes the ensemble memorable, even when the focus remains on Hobbins and Darleen.

Travis nails the staples of the genre—a trench coat-wearing sleuth with a less-than-sterling reputation. The presence of saxophone instrumentals for the music is an under-used touch in recent whodunnit entries. And last, there is a colorful cast of suspects and bit players. All essential elements for a good mystery, and once established, allow the story to unfold in a manner that will have the audience guessing as much as laughing.

Another brilliant notch for this film is the clever script. These stories have abundant dialogue, so having a keen sense of the written word makes the interactions memorable. Sage plays Hobbins, a former detective turned insurance investigator with the gentle gruffness of Columbo and the eccentric cleverness of Benoit Blanc. Hobbins is never a caricature of a detective, as often is the case in knock-off whodunnits. He commands attention from his introductory scene to the sweeping finale. He usually gets some of the best lines in the film, like when talking about his forced retirement from the police force. “I got a cardboard box instead of a golden watch.” 

Dry humor is rampant throughout, and the character of Duck (Jack Falahee) is a primary source. He plays a pivotal role as the mystery unfolds. An essential anchor to the plot, he is often a source for some of the film’s witty observations. He plays a townie who may not be the crinkliest chip in the bag, but he is never cartoonish and adds an element of realism to another farcical tale. All the players are standouts and add dimension to the plot: Corruption, deceit, and double lives all exist behind the façade of a quiet little town. These portrayals have a realistic potency, and the small-town setting makes it all the more palpable.

Travis also wrote the script and knows how to craft a riveting story. The script wastes no time with detours or eye-glazing monologues. The film has no fat; all focus is on the mystery. Audiences will find themselves working side-by-side as Hobbins and Darlene crack the case. Even when the twists arrive, they fit as part of a giant puzzle. Travis can stand tall next to Hayseed. While it may lack the panache of the Knives Out mysteries, it is still a brilliant whodunnit and a worthy entry.

At the risk of spoiling the film’s reveal, the climax delivers a satisfying end. Mendes’s Darlene factors into the central mystery and, throughout, plays a sharp foil to Hobbins. This duo proves a likable pair for the film. While this is likely a one-off, there is ample material for the two to solve future mysteries. 

Hayseed is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Good Deed Entertainment. The film will be available On Demand on November 21st. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8Ob_NkUsew]