Haunting Horrors Meet Desert Drama!

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MOVIE REVIEW
Bloodthirst
–

Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 29m
Director(s): Michael Su
Writer(s): Adrian Milnes
Cast: Costas Mandylor, Tara Reid, Robert LaSardo
Where To Watch: On Demand, Digital, and DVD October 31 from Lionsgate

RAVING REVIEW: Set against the sprawling landscapes of the Western U.S., BLOODTHIRST brings to the screen a world teetering on the edge, where the fight for survival means battling against the night's most notorious creatures. Michael Su's latest spectacle is like diving headfirst into a twilight zone of cowboys and fangs—exciting, erratic, and entertaining in its peculiar way.

Enter a post-apocalyptic Wild West where our lone cowboy isn't just fighting outlaws but also the supernatural. Costas Mandylor's portrayal of John Shepard as a man with a mission channels the gritty essence of classic Western protagonists. Yet his enemies aren't your standard gunslingers. Tara Reid's portrayal of the Vampire Queen and Robert LaSardo's formidable Vampire Master truly up the stakes—pun intended!

One can't help but appreciate the film's commitment to character depth. Instead of mere placeholders, BLOODTHIRST provides its ensemble with shades of red, ensuring they linger in one's thoughts. Michael Su ensures one's eyes are glued to the screen, whether it's the atmospheric Nevada backdrops, the stylish vampire attire, or the wide range of effects.

The audio, in parts, could use a touch-up; there are many scenes I would have been lost during if it weren’t for always watching movies with subtitles. Beyond the aesthetics and the audio, BLOODTHIRST occasionally bites off more than it can chew, with some scenes and interactions that make you try to connect the dots. I can appreciate the goal, but it never feels like they make it to the finish line in any specific department.

In a realm where monstrous threats loom, the film subtly hints that maybe the real monsters are the ones we harbor within. The film oscillates between an homage to mixed genres and its original creation. At times, it feels like there’s a world that could be expanded and built upon, while other moments feel lost in the attempted explanation.

BLOODTHIRST may have quirks and quibbles, but I will give credit where credit is due; there are times when the dramatic narrative, with its cowboy-hat-wearing, silver-stake-wielding dance between genres, feels like it has potential. Then there would be a scene where you couldn’t understand a character because they’re trying to talk with a mouthful of fake vampire teeth and a gallon of fake blood. Ultimately, it was an intriguing experience, and eventually, I gave it a 2.5 instead of anything lower. There was something that drew me in intrinsically about the film that kept me from looking away, even though, at times, I was looking on with laughter.

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[photo courtesy of LIONSGATE]

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