In The Hills Have Eyes III: Caleb’s Curse, the terrifying legacy of the cannibalistic mutants continues, this time with a chilling focus on Caleb, a lone survivor carrying secrets darker than the desert night. Set years after the second film, this sequel attempts to revive the gritty horror of its predecessors while introducing a more psychological element.

Caleb, haunted by his family’s monstrous past, returns to the Nevada desert, only to discover that the horror is far from over. As a new wave of disappearances shakes the nearby town, Caleb must confront not only the surviving mutants but also the terrifying truth about his own origins. Is he a victim—or part of the curse?

The film tries to deepen the franchise’s lore by exploring Caleb’s internal struggle, but it often gets lost in formulaic scares and predictable slasher tropes. The atmosphere remains grim and unsettling, with grotesque visuals and brutal kill scenes that will satisfy fans of visceral horror. However, the lack of innovation in the plot makes the movie feel more like a retread than a reinvention.

The Hills Have Eyes III has its moments of intensity, but without a truly fresh narrative or compelling twists, it struggles to justify its existence beyond fan service. Caleb’s story had potential—but in the end, it doesn’t cut deep enough.