PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I’ve been a fan of Deranged Minds Entertainment for awhile now. With each project that Tristan Clay and Destinie Orndoff do, you can see their passion bleeding through. When I heard they were doing their first full-length feature called Red Eye, I wondered if it would live up to the rest of their work (see our reviews for Sin (2016), and Used (2017)). Although horror shorts are still hard work and sometimes better quality than big budget films, there’s a lot more involved with creating something that’s over an hour long versus a handful of minutes. Did Red Eye deliver the madness we’ve come to know and love?
Red Eye was directed by Tristan Clay as well as co-written by himself and Destinie Orndoff. The cast stars Jessica Cameron, Heather Dorff, Destinie Orndoff, Clayton Abbott, Hayden Wilberger, and Scott King.
Official Synopsis:
Red Eye is a legend Gage Barker (Abbot) used to be told as a kid. When he found out there was some truth behind this legend, he gathered a group of friends to hike in the backwoods of Black Creek, WV, to help him use this as the basis for his first film project. To what extent will they go to make this project a reality? Will their passion bleed through? Or cross the line?
Red Eye went completely above and beyond my expectations. Clay and Orndoff may be young, but their talent and quality of work prove they’re a force to be reckoned with. You can tell they not only love horror but know what fans want to see. They’re true fans of the genre and it’s a passion that runs deep. It stands out as one of the best slashers I’ve seen in awhile and I’ll explain why.
The film is shot incredibly well. There are no shaky camera movements and no blurry, out-of-focus scenes. Whether the spotlight is on the characters or the background, attention to detail is there. I mention this because these are common flaws I see in indie films and Red Eye delivers exceptional quality. Kudos to the cinematographer, Robert W. Filion. One shot was completely brilliant (slight spoiler ahead). Two characters are sitting in a car, head deep in their problems. You know Red Eye is close, but the focus is on the characters. All of a sudden, something flies through windshield and glass breaks off everywhere. It’s such a raw and genuine moment, different from anything I’ve watched before.
The characters aren’t stereotypical (slut, stoner, jock, etc.), however, they’re relatable. Each one has their own demons and struggles that they are working through. I enjoyed each of their performances. Scott King’s character, Gage, has so much personality, and his love for filmmaking is inspirational yet slightly obsessive. Plus, much love and appreciation for the Headless shirt he is wearing throughout the film. Hayden Wilberger plays Jake, the loveable asshole who is easy to hate but also charming. Heather Dorff is always amazing and her talent shines through in the role of Ryann, who is a bit of a basket case due to her upbringing. But there’s something about her that can’t you help but love. You know that, despite her bad decision making, all she really wants is someone to care about her.
Jessica Cameron’s character, Bea, made me smile and provided a bit of comedy in this blood-drenched horror film. Destinie Orndoff, as always, delivers a stunning performance as Rykyr. One of my favorite lines from her was, “Hey, we are the weirdos, Mister,” an awesome reference to the ’90s witch film, The Craft. Johnny Suomu composted the music for the film and it complimented the story well.
If you love your horror drenched in blood and gore, then Red Eye is for you. They don’t hold back on anything, and some scenes will probably shock you. Each kill was disturbingly fucked up; two in particular were jaw-droppers. Red Eye and Pinhead should team up, because their love for torture and pain has no boundaries. I can’t really mention what my favorite kill was without spoiling, but trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
The end of Red Eye is full of fun twists and turns… some of which may be easy to guess, while others will shock the audience. Trust me, after watching this film, you’ll never visit the backwoods of West Virginia EVER. Who knows when Red Eye will come back?
Final Thoughts
Red Eye is a bloody fun slasher that horror fans will love. It’s beautifully crafted with a talented cast and crew, plus cringeworthy moments that leave a lasting impression. Deranged Minds Entertainment is just getting started! You’ll want to follow them to see what this talented duo does next… (Hint, hint Inverted)! Be sure to check out Red Eye, as well as the duo’s shorts, Used and SIN .
