PopHorror Let's Get Scared
With a penchant for putting out all inclusive releases of truly subversive cinema, Unearthed Films’ new release of Alex Chandon’s (Inbred) violent love letter to the “anthology” horror of the 70’s, Cradle of Fear, is a two disc smorgasbord of blood-soaked madness!
Synopsis
A gruesome homage to the cult Amicus anthology Asylum, Cradle of Fear unfolds four screamplays all linked by the unspeakable need of an incarcerated child killer to wreak vengeance on those responsible for his imprisonment.
Convicted child murderer (no, not THAT one) the Manson-esque, Kemper (David McEwen; Thin Air) is no stranger to blood rituals. So much so, that he has, apparently, summoned “The Man” (Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth fame) to exact brutal revenge on the people (and their kin) responsible for current padded cell digs (yeah, I know, Freddy…). The retribution story plays out in four distinct set pieces, with the recurring theme/wraparound elements of The Man and the detective who put Kemper away, Inspector Neilson (Edmund Dehn; Knightmare).
The gory opening segment (which could have been titled: Hot Goth Girls Get Dead) introduces us to Mel (Emily Booth; Doghouse) who, after a hook up with The Man, wanders the streets veering from one Jacob’s Ladder like hallucination to the next, before finally crashing out at her pal Nikki’s (Melissa Forti) place, lamenting that The Man has left “something inside” her. In a scene that’s equal parts Alien chestburster, and The Thing, the goth hotties are soon dead as the proverbial door-nail, in a most splatteriffic way.
Onto the shady twosome of Sophie (Rebecca Eden; Pervirella) and Emma (Emma Rice; Wise Children) who decide to rob a deaf guy blind (!). After dispatching said decrepit oldster, Sophie decides that she wants all of the loot, and offs Emma. Bad idea. A reanimated Emma, along with their shared victim, deliver a bloody comeuppance and nobody gets the bag!
Nick (Louie Brownsell; Gangs of New York) is an amputee who, after losing his leg, can’t perform with his gorgeous girl Natalie (Eileen Daly; Razor Blade Smile). So, he does what any other desperate guy would do: he kills his buddy to steal his leg (yes, you read that right…). Legs be doing leg stuff though, and a car accident, a few self inflicted stab wounds, and a visit from The Man later, Nick, his girl, and a couple of unfortunate cops, are long gone.
Finally, Richard (Stuart Laing; Berkeley Square), a reporter with more than a few pervy kinks, becomes obsessed with a dark smut site, and soon finds himself starring in a very real snuff film. When Neilson arrives on the crime scene, we find out that Richard is, in fact, the inspector’s son! This is the catalyst for Cradle of Fear’s final act, a spiraling riot of violence and madness—who will get their revenge? Neilson or Kemper?
Cradle of Fear, shows the obvious influences, the Amicus and AIP anthology stuff of old. Digging deeper however, and you’ll see a lot more contemporary style in the form of inspired ultra violence, Fulci level eye trauma, and wince inducing teeth chiseling. Also in a more modern vein, Chandon doesn’t hesitate to rub the viewer’s nose into the carnage—the camera is a lingering, unflinching eye on the various crime scenes. While the script is a little uneven, and derivative at times, Cradle of Fear still manages to come across as a well made, atmospheric, unabashedly horror film, and that, friends, is ALWAYS better than the “supernatural crime thriller” that this film shares a bit of DNA with.
Solid performances (most of the cast are artists in various other mediums) by a group that seems right at home immersed in the gothic aesthetic and dark nuances of Cradle of Fear really add to the production’s quality. Dani Filth, as I’m sure you’re wondering, comes across as perfectly menacing (to be fair, he doesn’t say much…), and hey, the British accents aren’t thick enough to warrant subtitles! Also, I dare you not to fall a little in love with Booth, she’s incredible in her short time on screen.
The film itself looks suitably dark and damp on a hi-def set, blacks are none blacker, as they should. The 2 disc set features the film and two “making of” segments, trailers and a photo gallery on the first disc. Disc two is, wow, a LOT to digest! Chandon’s short film catalog (Chainsaw Scumfuck. Bad Manor, Bad Karma, Drillbit, Night Pastor, and Bullshit News) offers a unique look into the twisted, developing mind of the filmmaker. There’s also some BTS stuff, and trailers, from the various shorts. Packaging is a standard snapcase, with duplicate art on the collector’s grade slipcover.
Violent, dark, gory, with an overall doomy vibe, Cradle of Fear is definitely worth a watch. A visually pleasing cocktail of blood, goth atmospherics, and latent erotica, Cradle of Fear is a unhinged ride from start to finish, with enough twists, turns, and chills to satisfy even the most jaded fright fans! But, the question remains: can you really steal a leg?
Unearthed Films’ Blu-ray release of Cradle of Fear is available now from fine retailers
