Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Bloodthirst’

11/7/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Tara Reid as the Vampire Queen in Michael Su’s BLOODTHIRST. (Photo Courtesy of Mahal Empire.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Bloodthirst’. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.

For the vast majority of its illustrious history, the vampire story has been synonymous with romance, and understandably so. After all, for most of us, our first introduction to this creature of the night was Bram Stoker’s Dracula. A story that featured a mature yet ruthless bloodsucker that craved human connection and love, and that more or less cemented this creature to be nothing more than a strange lover of sorts. A tortured soul that needed the deep drink of love as much as it needed blood’s vibrant power, and that brought forth ages of storytelling where the vampire was misunderstood, yet dangerous and yes, there were outliers to this particular storytelling edict.

After all, there were stories where the vampire was indeed a force to be reckoned with and scary. But somehow, those stories still found ways to inject matters of love and seduction, those roots of the story that fascinate us so. But as the years roll along, there is a titanic shift happening within the world of the vampire story. For there is a desire to see it become more and perhaps return to its outright roots. Where it was indeed a ruthless and monstrous creature, one borne of that desire to consume blood above all else and lean into its incredible powers to move forward its own agenda, and it just so happens… that the Mahal Empire has taken the time to release a vampire film in that vein, and that makes Bloodthirst, quite the delicious watch.

For this particular story, plays a grandiose game of ‘what if?’ Wherein vampires are real and through some unfortunate twists and turns, they rise to prominence in the world and quickly take it over. Leaving mankind’s domain in ruin and those few unfortunate souls that managed to survive the initial onslaught now live in fear and on the road. Eager to avoid the roving bands of bloodsuckers that wander the landscape to feed with impunity and inflict suffering. But in these dark times, a hero appears to have emerged, for a slayer named John Shepard believes he has discovered the location of the master of the vampires and if he can slay the beast, he can free humanity from the scourge that surrounds it. Provided of course he can get people to rally to his all-important cause.

Which is a plot that truly unleashes the vampire for the monster that it is. Because they truly are the stuff of nightmares here, and care little about preserving the food supply. They want the pleasure of injecting fear before they feed, and the joy of standing above another species and that makes for one unsettling film for certain. One that is hopeless in nature for a time, and one that truly does feature some fearless and strong vampires. Who seem to believe they cannot be defeated and that John’s plans to vanquish the master are nothing more than a desperate attempt to inject hope into a hopeless world. But while it is indeed delightful to be treated to vampires that are ruthless in nature for a change… this movie brings so much more to the table.

For there is also… a lot of social commentary and subtext present in this film. That in many ways, presents a world that isn’t all that much different from our own. Since there are people out there who resemble the vampires, and indulge in darkness and fear, and those who don’t subscribe to that… infight about a way forward instead of banding together to really stick it to the vampires. All of which speaks to the divide in our world and the scattered nature of humanity at this point in time. Which is another welcome surprise to find in this tale, since vampire stories have only recently started to really dig deep into the human condition and parallel our world, and this movie really does deserve a round of applause for offering up such thoughtfulness here, and for offering up quite the entertaining and wild ride.

For not only do you get to enjoy some epic vampires and social commentary, but you’re also treated to some amazing action sequences. Courtesy of big-time fights between humanity and the monster that now rules the world. Not to mention, the acting here is simply delightful, since everyone plays their part to a tee, and we absolutely need to take a moment and recognize Tara Reid’s performance here. For she plays the Vampire Queen with a twisted zest and zeal that she’s never put on screen before, making this a special performance for her and really, in the end, all of these elements bring forth one satisfying vampire story. Wherein we are reminded of the fact that this classic monster is indeed a monster, one that has no qualms with robbing us of that which we cherish most, the very blood that sustains us.

Watch ‘Bloodthirst’

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