The Mahal team has taken no time off after their slew of successful releases in 2022. These indie giants kick off 2023 with their latest film, Bermuda Island. After working on several projects as first assistant director, Adam Werth steps up to helm this tale of the famous mysterious geographical area. Mahal staple Sarah French (Death Count) fills out a stunning cast that includes Tom Sizemore (Heat) and Noel Gugliemi (The Walking Dead.) With a talented ensemble and exceedingly expectations with every release, will this production team be able to maintain a now high level of release?
After apprehending crime boss Diego Montalban (Gugliemi,) federal agents are tasked with transporting the high-profile gangster to Puerto Rico on a commercial flight filled with eager vacationers. What appears to be smooth sky sailing, quickly turns into a nightmare as the plane passes over the legendary Bermuda triangle. A storm comes out of nowhere causing the plane to crash into the Atlantic. The surviving passengers make their way to a deserted island as they wait for rescue. Over time, the eccentric group begin to panic as they realize that help is not coming anytime soon. As desperation and despair begins to filter through the group, they soon realize that the crash was not the most horrifying thing to happen to them. The island natives are not friendly, not helpful, just hungry…for them!
The Horror-Nation has been clamoring for more creature features, and the Mahal team delivers with an original take on the old mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Director Werth presents a clean and well shot piece, with some stunning scenery and great gore that jumps off the screen, with cinematographer Michael Su setting up sensational shots.
Sarah French leads the narrative with a great shift as the strong and seductive Carolyn. Veteran actor John Wells steals the show with a terrific portrayal as the mysterious Bruce. Wells is both physically and dramatically intimidating throughout the entire third act. Of course, the monsters themselves star in this island thriller. Original and vicious, the creature design team knocks it out of the park with original creatures that perfectly blend into the island theme. What sets Bermuda Island apart is the terrific tale, which spins more than an out-of-control crashing plane. The audience essentially gets three stories in one, and each time the viewer thinks they have the plot figured out, scribes Mahals and Robert Thompson send the script spiraling in a new direction. This is very refreshing in the ever-present day of horror films regurgitating slash, hack, repeat. Bermuda Island is a fun creature feature monster mash in the sand.
Scream Score: 7.7/10