PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I’m a huge fan on indie slashers and I love when they strive to be a little more ambitious than their budget. One of the latest I’ve had the pleasure to view that does this is Blood Red Beach, a pirate slasher from the makers of Graveyard Shark.
Synopsis
On a sun‑drenched private island, seven friends think they’re spending the weekend chasing buried treasure for social‑media bragging rights. Instead, their hunt awakens Captain Roderick Cross—the ruthless pirate condemned to stalk Blood Red Beach until every last gold doubloon is returned.
Blood Red Beach was directed by Matthew A. Peters (Graveyard Shark) from a script by Mark Joseph Peek (Axegrinder 666) from a story from Peters. The film stars Mark Joseph Peek (Big Brood), Cara Fay (The Outsider), Stephanie Ward (Killin Time), Berndele March (Romeo 3000), Mel Heflin (Night of the Dead Sorority Babes), Ryan Santiago (Radiant Dark), Jameson Duross (Savage Christmas), Nicole Mecca (Deb & Seth Save the World) Devin A. Waters, Malvina Lacey, and Jesse Wakeman (Summer of the Wolf).
One of Blood Red Beach‘s biggest strengths is that you actually feel like the characters are real people that are actually friends. They feel like people you know and they’re all pretty likable. That makes the deaths have an emotional impact.
Some of my favorite characters were Preston (played by Berndele March) who has recently gotten an inheritance and is engaged to Harley (played by Malvina Lacey). He’s always got a quip or a one liner to throw out, no matter the situation. Angelo (played by Jameson Duross) who has an unrequited crush on Ruby (played by Stephanie Ward).Britt (played by Mel Heflin) who appears to be the dominant in a BDSM relationship with her boyfriend Austin (played by Jesse Wakeman). Ethan (played by Devin A. Waters) who was cheated on by Willow (played by Nicole Mecca) and is trying to rekindle their relationship.
Last by not least is the witch Saraya (played by Cara Fay) who we never quite know where her allegiance lies. It’s a credit to the writing and the performances that the characters are so interesting and you’re so invested in them that you care about their relationship issues and want them to survive so they can work them out.
I really loved the tone of Blood Red Beach. It keeps things pretty light and fun for the most part then when the kills come you’re left reeling from the loss of such fun characters. In spite of the fact that he murdered some of my favorite people, Captain Roderick Cross (played by Mark Joseph Peek) is a really fun character to watch. He kind of reminds me of Leprechaun with how he is obsessed with his treasure. He’s pretty single minded and determined. I mean how can you not love a ghost pirate?
I was also a big fan of the colorful and stylish lighting. It was really nice to see Stephanie Ward and Mel Heflin here, as I’ve recently became a big fan of both of them and they both give great performancesed.
Final Thoughts
Blood Red Beach is a wonderful indie slasher with a great cast of characters. Highly recommend.
