From New England to Old England, witchcraft has shed a dark cloud over both nations’ history. Accusations have led to the slaughter of the innocent, staining the pristine countryside with blood. Celebrated writer/director Chris Shane Sanders brings the genre a new tale from old lore with his latest feature film, Blood Witch.
A failing publishing house sends their top two journalists to rural England in desperate hope to cash in on the ever-popular world of supernatural phenomenon. Upon arrival the pair meet an odd innkeeper who harbors the dark secrets of the wilderness. Slowly, the duo uncovers the roots of a horrific sacrilege, one which resurrects every hundred years to dish out vengeance as a cold meal drenched in blood. The investigators must end the curse and get the scoop to save their jobs and the town which has been haunted by the sins of their ancestors.
Sanders once again delivers a great dialogue driven terror tale with stunning scenery. Blood Witch keeps the audience tangled in the dark web of witchcraft as the plot unfolds around richly written characters. Each performer puts in a solid shift with Paul Preston driving the narrative as the reclusive inhabitant of the haunted village. Sanders cuts the film brilliantly, giving new perspectives on the story as to not make the film seem redundant like many others in this popular sub-genre. Blood Witch is a spooky story with a refreshing perspective from a time when there were only judges and no jury.
Scream Score: 8/10