The Mahal Empire team, based out of Las Vegas, has become the indie darlings of horror. This talented group has helmed a runaway terror train that is constantly pumping out fun fear with such films as: Art of the Dead, Attack of the Unknown, Bermuda Island, Bridge of the Doomed, and Bus Party to Hell. These films are a throwback to an era where horror could be enjoyed for the simple pleasures of an old school monster mash. Mahal staple, Michael Su, takes the helm of their latest film, Bloodthirst. Su and the writing team of Massimiliano Cerchi and Adrian Milnes attempt to pump new blood into the age-old lore of vampires. With a talented cast including Costas Mandylor, Tara Reid, and Robert LaSardo, the stakes will be high for this production to put out some fresh new fangs.
In a post-apocalyptic world where vampires and humans are both on the verge of extinction, a religious vampire hunter (Costas Mandylor) named John, is on a one-man mission to wipe out the undead. On the other end of the sinister spectrum, a vampire master (Roberts LaSardo) and a vampire queen (Tara Reid) are turning humans in a desperate attempt to replenish their numbers, while trying to maintain their food supply before their kind starves to death. When John strolls into a desert town, the hunter befriends a lone wolf biker, a young man with vengeance on his mind, and a family that is desperately attempting to survive both human and vampiric threats. John’s makeshift team must confront a deranged human militia and vampire lords in a battle that could either destroy or revive the living world.
Bloodthirst is a fangtastic feature that starts off with a bite and keeps the fangs flying. Su presents a stylish western piece that rivals the sets of the classic vampire film, Near Dark. Scribes Cerchi and Milnes offer up some great new lore with an original script that is both intriguing and action packed. The cast puts in terrific terrifying performances, with film icons, LaSardo, Reid, and Mandylor, each shining every time they grace the screen. For gore hounds, the slaughter scenes are blood drenched with great practical effects. Bloodthirst arrives on VOD on Halloween day. With a fresh plot, killer cast, and buckets of blood, this is definitely a film everyone in the Horror Nation will want to watch on our special day, with some popcorn, candy corn, and favorite beverages… hopefully blood-free.
Scream Score: 8.4/10