PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Known for producing schlocky B-movie gold such as Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (read our review here), all trashy horror loving boils and ghouls know Troma Entertainment also serves as distribution. After all, shoestring budgeted indie flicks have to somehow find their way into the hands of horror geeks such as yours truly. And, no matter if the films are good or bad, Troma’s name always catches my attention. So, I naturally became excited upon hearing Troma’s classic intro music after hitting play for Moon of the Blood Beast, a retro B-horror written and directed by Filmmaker Dustin Ferguson (Frames of Fear 3 2020 – read our review here).
Ferguson’s film, which sets a surprisingly dark, sinister, alluring tone, opens with a cult setting fire to a pentagram under a devilish moonlit sky as a malevolent voiceover asks for satanic protection. With a strong, gritty horror element established, Moon of the Blood Beast cuts to a featured performance by AVN award-winning adult film star Alana Evans (HollyWeird 2020) as she hitchhikes her way into the wilderness to photograph … wildlife! Sorry, boys. Zip up your pants and take your minds out of the gutter. There’s no gratuitous nudity in this flick.
Taking cues from Jeepers Creepers (2001) and the cult-classic, Pumpkinhead (1989 – read our retro review here), the Blood Beast awakens every ten years to claim sacrificial victims in exchange for protecting a small coastal town. Unfortunately for Ms. Evans, she has stumbled into forbidden territory, and this is the year the Blood Beast feasts. Taking her nature walk, this unsuspecting hitchhiker catches the attention of the nearby town’s demonic monster. It isn’t long before the poor woman’s entrails and ovaries are pulled from her body by this creature from Hell … which, in actuality, is actor Alan Maxson (Godzilla: King Of The Monsters 2019) donning a strange robe, a cheesy rubber mask and store-bought monster hands. Hey, it worked for Godzilla in the ’50s.
Proceeding to brutally claim one victim after another, the creature takes out everyone in its path, although local law enforcement doesn’t seem too concerned. Well, except for Dispatcher Noel Johnson (Vida Ghaffari: Eternal Code 2019 – read our review here). Although she has a good heart, Johnson doesn’t offer much help. This is unfortunate, because she seemingly has the potential to assist the film’s protagonist, which we’ll discuss later. Officer Frank (D.T. Carney: John Dies at the End 2012), on the other hand, also offers no help, as he is an asshole denying that anything is really happening, despite the bodies turning up on the outskirts of town. That leaves Gabe Smith (Mike Ferguson: Last American Horror Show Volume II 2020), a takes-no-shit vigilante determined to put an end to the terrors lurking in the woods.
As the film’s only hero, Mike Ferguson is a certified badass. Oddly, he receives very little screen time for how pertinent his character is to the overall story. This hurts the plot development immensely and gives the audience little reason to care. It seems as though every effort was made to give too many cast members equal time on screen, regardless of how big or small their role happened to be. As amiable this may be, it’s perhaps the biggest faux pas of Moon of the Blood Beast.
With focus on character and plot development severally lacking, the film begins to lose footing while offering no real explanations. Why is the Blood Beast is protecting the community? What is the town so afraid of from the outside world? Why isn’t there a crazy old man rambling incoherently about last decade’s sacrificial feast? Unfortunately, outside of the initial implication of this mythical monster being summoned by a cult, many unanswered questions remain a mystery from the beginning of Moon Of The Blood Beast to the end credits.
Now, before the cast and crew unleash the Blood Beast to mutilate my critical ass, there are a few noteworthy elements in Moon of the Blood Beast. Despite the waning comedy that’s set to 3 when it should have been dialed up to 11, there are humorous moments warranting a chuckle or two. While some victims find their insides being ripped out in ridiculous ways through various orifices, others are caught with their pants down. A few cheap B-grade laughs are successfully evoked, all seemingly—and thankfully—done with tried and true practical effects. It’s also fun to see familiar faces from the indie horror community, such as Ghaffari, Dawna Lee Heising (Garden Party Massacre – read our review here), Raymond Vinsik Williams (Malvolia: Queen of Screams series), and Julie Anne Prescott (read our interview with her here). And how could I forget the aforementioned Pumkinhead cinematic effect influence? A direct nod to the classic is shown as we see the Blood Beast’s point of view while it stalks its prey.
Saying I didn’t love Moon of the Blood Beast is an understatement. But, I didn’t totally hate it, either. It’s a watchable, shoestring-budgeted indie creature feature that doesn’t take itself too seriously and has a little fun along the way. With some cult classic homages, Moon of the Blood Beast is a D-grade B-movie that some hardcore horror fanatics with a soft spot for indie features just might appreciate. With a short runtime of approximately an hour, this is the type of flick to watch while kicking back with several strong beverages and some friends who enjoy retro horror cheese just as much as you do. And besides. Every filmmaker new to the game has room for improvement.
PopHorror PSA: Don’t drink and drive! Also, try not to black out. You wouldn’t want to regain consciousness as the Blood Beast rips your intestines from your anus.
