Genre icon and convention staple Kane Hodder has had a life that’s been anything but ordinary. Derek Dennis Herbert (THEY’RE INSIDE) documents that life in TO HELL AND BACK: THE KANE HODDER STORY. Now synonymous with Jason from the Friday the 13th films and the Hatchet franchise’s VICTOR CROWLEY he overcame a lot to achieve that fame.

It may be hard to believe that the imposing figure known for tearing people apart was bullied as a child. However, he was and he talks about that and the effects it had on him. Both negative and ultimately positive as he forced himself to overcome it. That would be what set him on the path that led to his becoming a stuntman.

He also talks about the newspaper photo op gone wrong that nearly killed him and left him covered in burns. He’s candid about how and why it went wrong and the incredible pain he suffered during it and his long recovery. And what it took to get him back on a movie set.

It isn’t all tales of hardship though. Kane talks about the fun experiences he’s had on film sets and conventions along the way. And he’s been on a lot of sets. Apart from his most famous rolls his credits include AVENGING FORCE, THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2, PROJECT: METALBEAST and BEST OF THE BEST.

There’s also plenty of interviews with other genre figures, most of whom he’s worked with at some point including Robert Englund (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, 2001 MANIACS), Danielle Harris (INOPERABLE, BETWEEN THE DARKNESS), Adam Green (Frozen), Cassandra Peterson (ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK) and Sean S. Cunningham (FRIDAY THE 13th, JASON X). They give us an idea of how hard he’s worked and how humble he is about it. And how glad he’s been for the occasional lucky break he’s gotten along the way.

An engaging and frequently insightful film TO HELL AND BACK: THE KANE HODDER STORY is a look behind the mask at one of the modern horror icons. It’s worth a watch by genre fans in general, not just fans of him or his signature films.

TO HELL AND BACK: THE KANE HODDER STORY will be released on VOD and Blu-ray/DVD combo appropriately enough on Friday, July 13th by Dread Central Presents.