I’ve been a longtime fan of both Barbara Crampton and Larry Fessenden. Her works as far back as RE-ANIMATOR has shown she’s not just another pretty face but has the acting ability to back her up as well. And he’s come up with some of the most creative films in the horror genre in years. Putting them together in a project just seems like a natural fit.
Fessenden plays Jakob Fedder, a minister who talks a good game about husbands and wives supporting one another but who seems to be lacking in that area. At least that’s the way his wife Anne sees it. For her each day is just another in a long line of days with nothing new, nothing exciting happening in her life.
One day her old boyfriend Tom (Robert Russler) is coming back to town on business. His company has been chosen to revitalize an old factory in town. Anne let’s Jakob know this and that she’s going to meet him to talk about the project. Jakob might be a little jealous but he doesn’t display it. All the more reason for Anne to go.
The pair meet and talk about old times. Eventually they go to the factory to take a look at just how much work needs to be done. But for Tom this isn’t about the factory. This is about rekindling the relationship they had long ago. At first Anne seems ready to take the plunge but then she catches herself. At the same time the crate they were sitting on moves. When Tom opens it there is a rat, when he opens the second one it is flooded with them and they attack him. As Anne screams and turns to run she’s stopped by a claw like hand.
Waking at home Anne checks her neck. There are two puncture wounds there and she feels different. Yes, she’s been bitten by a vampire now taking up residence in town. She has a craving for blood and tries to handle it with a pouch of cow’s blood bought at the store. Big mistake.
Jakob beings to notice a change of behavior in his wife. Eventually all comes out when he finds her chowing down on a body in the kitchen. Can he save Anne from being a full-fledged vampire? More importantly does she want to be saved? And can this marriage be saved?
Well made, well acted and having a new take on an old theme this movie should be great. The problem is it is only passable. The script has good and bad moments and the timing felt off throughout. In spite of that both Fessenden and Crampton commit to their roles and put in great performances. But even that can’t save the film from feeling mediocre.
Still, in a world of incredibly terrible horror films, it
comes off better than most. It presents an entertaining movie that uses the
vampire legend to discuss a more pressing matter which is a marriage under
duress. Whether or not the couple in question can not just survive but thrive
in spite of all that makes for an interesting film.
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