Whilst driving cross-country through the baking wastes of the Deep South, Clark (Duncan) and his heavily pregnant wife Summer (Panzer) run into trouble when their car suffers a near fatal blowout. Lucky to be alive, the shaken pair dusts themselves off only to realise their situation is far worse than either realised. Theyre miles upon miles from anywhere, without a phone and the nearest remnant of civilisation is a rusted backwater; Blood River.
After an hours long trek along a scorching highway, the pair stumble upon Blood River. But once again, their efforts prove fruitless. The place is a ghost town; theres no phone, no power and even more alarming; theres no water. But salvation soon arrives in the shape of a drifter; Joseph (Howard), a self appointed messenger of the Lord who quickly ignites tension between the couple. Joseph agrees to help the pair on with their journey, but it soon becomes clear the festering tension isnt just a conflict of character and Josephs preaching masks sinister intentions.
For the first 30 minutes or so, Blood River seems a rather routine horror flick. Theres the ominous title, the naïve clean cut leads just asking for trouble and a by the numbers first act. But thankfully, the film soon establishes itself as a distinctly different horror; one that avoids gory spectacle and shock tactics; instead opting for a more thoughtful approach, a slow simmer that takes increasingly nasty stabs at the central characters, gradually opening up their pores and exposing their inner feelings and emotions.
Much of the films success lies with its three leads, and all handle their performances with gusto. Andrew Howard is particularly memorable as the central antagonist Joseph, a gruff and grizzled cowboy to look at, but beneath that exterior hes a complex animal, one thats hard to judge and understand. He plays off his co-stars perfectly, making their difficult experience all the more excruciating. Ian Duncan is also spot on as city boy Clark, out of his comfort zone and continuously bothered by the testing tirades of Joseph. Tess Panzer rounds off the trio as butter wouldnt melt Summer, bringing some much needed heart to the film, turning in some outstanding performances later on during the films standout scenes.
Director Adam Mason also deserves a pat on the back for his impressive endeavours behind the camera. He constantly makes smart choices with his visuals, heightening the difficult situation of Clark and Summer with real skill. The baking desert landscapes are fully utilized with breathtaking long shots, and the mental toll heaped upon the desperate leads are fully exploited by extreme close ups and smart editing. Later on in the film, theres some absolutely outstanding imagery thats so effective its linger in your mind long after credits roll.
Overall Verdict: A slick and skilful thriller and a refreshing antidote to the blood filled slasher; Blood River proves an entertaining ride thanks to a sharp script, engaging actors and a smart director.
Special Features:
The Making of Blood River
Directors Commentary
Interviews
Reviewer: David Steele