It has been a few weeks boils and ghouls since I have dripped my horror movie drivel on paper for you. Now that the busy holiday season is behind us, it’s time to get back to work! So, let’s just dive right into it shall we? Let’s take a look at the latest and first release of 2019 from Dread Central Presents and Epic Pictures!!
DRY BLOOD (2017)
Synopsis
A troubled young man heads out to a remote family cabin to battle his addictions and vices to finally get himself clean. Aiding in his quest to get sobered up, he asks his Narcotics Anonymous sponsor to join him. But soon he gets much more than he bargained for. When he begins to be stalked by an oddly nosy sheriff. To make matters worse, he becomes traumatized when he starts getting terrorized by horrific ghostly images. Is this all in his drug-addled imagination or is it all too real?
Dry Blood was directed, produced and starred by first time full-length feature filmmaker Kelton Jones. The film was written, produced and also starred Clint Carney, as the seemingly unsettled drug addict Brian. You could immediately tell that these two were at the forefront of this production. Rounding out the cast was Anna played by Jaymie Valentine, as the reluctantly helpful NA sponsor. Leaving Jones with the role as the odd and incredulous sheriff, ever looming around to see what Brian is up to.
For the first 45 minutes or so of this film, it is pretty much a cookie cutter type affair. Nothing too original. Just a slow-moving drama where Brian leaves to isolate himself to get sober with Anna’s friendship and support. Dealing with his detox and withdrawal symptoms, coupled with bizarre visions of insidious looking specters. Brian’s grip on reality seems to teeter, especially aided by the paranoia the sheriff brings while constantly fucking with him. Basically, a slow-moving drama that you feel like you have seen before.
But as with a lot of newer indie horror films, if you wait them out long enough you will usually be rewarded. This film is no different. As we transition into the third act, you as the viewer, along with Brian are not even sure what is real any more. Bringing about a not so unexpected ending, but in a very fresh, gory and original way.
Dry Blood was a meticulously cogent journey of the very REAL horrors of drug addiction. Blurring the lines of dream and reality, tiptoeing the lines of logic or insanity. Like many of my reviews, this film will not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I still think it’s worth a watch, because the main moral I came away from this one is…
‘Even when you think you are truly and completely alone, at least you have your demons to keep you company…’
IMDb: 6.1/10
ZombiSurvivor: 7.0/10
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel for every single episode of THS LIVES! Follow The Horror Syndicate on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Thanks for reading and STAY SCARED!
-ZS
