Blood River

Plot synopsis:
Clark and Summer, a young married couple, are on their way to see Summer's parents. Their car has a blowout and, as they do not have a spare tire, the couple decides to walk onwards and find help. Upon arriving at a small collection of buildings, they realise that the town is abandoned. It isn't long before a drifter in a cowboy hat comes along. The stranger introduces himself as Joseph, and immediately overshadows Clark with his personality and style. That evening, around a campfire, the three talk: Summer shows Joseph a photo of her older son, Ben, who is Clark's stepson, while Joseph talks about how unlike Clark - who is a slave to society — he is himself, being beholden to no one but God. God is great god is good
The next morning, Joseph suggests that he and Clark walk back to the couple's car and siphon off the gas, then continue on to Joseph's truck and leave the area. Summer wants to accompany them, but Joseph and Clark both say that in her delicate condition, she should remain. Joseph pulls out a revolver and teaches Summer how to use it, touching her in an intimate way. Clark is obviously furious, but he and Joseph still set off together. On the way, Joseph continually mocks Clark for his weaknesses, claiming to know everything about him. Clark is convinced that Joseph is a fanatical, religious hippie. When they arrive, Joseph tells Clark that everything he is about to go through is his own fault, because of his sins, then disappears. Clark opens the trunk of his car to find Ben's rotting body, buzzing with flies. He is horrified, then realises that he has left Summer alone and rushes back.
Meanwhile, Summer has found a room in one of the abandoned buildings with photographs on the wall, including her photo of Ben, with a cross scratched over his face. She turns to find that Joseph is in the room with her. She attempts to shoot him, but the gun he gave her is unloaded. Joseph subdues her and uses a razor to carve a cross into her forehead, saying that she will have the mark forever and will remember what happened there. She begs to know why he is doing this and he claims that it is God's will. At that moment, Clark arrives and attacks Joseph, beating him to the ground.
When Joseph regains consciousness, he is tied to a chair. Clark demands to know how they can escape the town, but Joseph won't say. Clark takes a pair of pliers and cuts off one of Joseph's fingers in order to make him talk. Finally Joseph admits that he is an avenging angel, sent to punish the wicked for their sins. He suggests that Clark tell Summer what was in the trunk of their car but Clark says it was nothing. Joseph then agrees to help them as long as he can first show them something down by the river. Just past the water tower, there is a field of rough, wooden crosses, marking graves. Summer asks if Joseph killed all those people but he claims that he never killed anyone; all did it to themselves and every one of them deserved it.
Further into the makeshift graveyard, there are three empty graves. Joseph again exhorts Clark to tell Summer what his sin is. When Clark refuses, Joseph loads the gun and hands it to Summer, reiterating that she need only cock it and squeeze the trigger. Receiving no response to Joseph's repeated question, Summer assumes it has something to do with Ben and finally shoots Clark. When she asks what she has done to deserve this pain, Joseph tells her that her sin is apathy: she knew something was wrong but did nothing about it.
Joseph raises his hand to the sky and murmurs a prayer, and his finger reappears. His face is no longer wounded and bloody. Leaving Summer at the graveyard with the gun, he walks off. Summer attempts to shoot herself, but there had been only one bullet in the chamber.

Tags: paranormal

Review:
This is partly my fault for having high expectations due to someone else's post.The acting is decent enough to carry the film but I was longing for it to end.
My only explanation is that I was hoping for some salvation at the end and my prayers were not answered.I know everyone is a critic so if your like me, take the time to watch it but you will have been warned.
They decide to head for a nearby town called Blood Creek to search for help and meet a mysterious stranger who calls himself Joseph.The film is directed by Adam Mason, a man whose greatest skill is creating great looking films for very little money, and the film does indeed look great.
Indeed, the film feels uninspired and watching it is a bit like going through the motions.This is a shame, because there is a glimpse of something great hiding within the religious angle that the film takes.
I assume that this is somewhat intentional, but it crosses the line between believable human flaws and annoying caricature.The best part is the performance of Andrew Howard as the mysterious traveler Joseph.
While he does have the best material to work with, it is pretty clear that he is the one with the acting chops and he pretty much carries the film single-handedly.Despite the good craftsmanship (cinematography and sound is great), I would recommend watching something else.
Blood River is one of the better Indy films I've seen in a long time.
The lead actor is exceptional and the rest of the small cast deliver fine and engrossing performances, the look of this film is top draw and the location was right on the money, a spooky ghost town.
It seems to say a lot about the film, i.e. filled with gruesome deaths and maybe the odd rubbery monster thrown in for good measure.However, Blood River definitely doesn't fit into those categories.
Its one down point is that it is a little longer than your average horror film and most of the first 1h 15 minutes is spent watching three people in one location, having various conversations about all sorts of supposed deep and meaningful issues.That was how it starts.
Without going into too much detail, it has a few surprises along the way and Andrew Howard deserves a special mention as the 'stranger' Joseph who the unsuspecting couple meet.Give it a watch if you want a 'horror movie that contains plenty of talking points.' However, the 'talking points' may also serve to be a bit of a let down.
Not everything is totally explained and wrapped up neatly, leaving some questions which will be up to your interpretation afterwards.Blood River is one of those movies where you could show it to four different people and be given four totally different opinions to its merits and meanings..
"Blood River" is his best film to date, and a true cinematic masterpiece.
The story follows Summer(Tess Panzer) and Clark(Ian Duncan) as they travel across the desert to tell Summer's parents that she is pregnant.
Clark, and Summer head out on foot to the nearest town, "Blood River".
It was great up until this point, and the ride just gets better from here.The cinematography in this film is nothing short of amazing.
Mason had a budget of $250,000 to finish this film in a time span of 18 days, so the end result is even more stunning."Blood River" isn't a gorefest, but I think it will still appeal to that demographic.
"Blood River" is not like this, it's intelligent at it's core, and it assumes that those watching it are as well.The acting is superb across the board, but Andrew Howard in particular puts in a powerhouse performance.
He's done an amazing job in past films with Mason, but this performance alone put's him at the top of my list for genre favorites.
The setting is on a far grander scale than Mason's previous work, spanning across what seems to be a vast desert wasteland, but it still manages to keep a strong level of isolation."Blood River" is not an easy film to slap a label on.
After a near fatal crash they land up in the deserted town of Blood River, wherein they make the acquaintance of chain smoking thoughtful hippie type Joseph.
Ian Duncan is pretty handy as the at first cool but increasingly edgy Clark, a yuppie with a bit of a tweak to him while Tess Panzer is equally effective as the bright, pleasant and outgoing Summer.
Andrew Howard really sets the film on fire as Joseph though, affability chased by shades of aggression, pulsing menace while drawling wisdom like a latter day seer.
The last half hour is where the film slips up though; it's hard to explain why without spoilers but basically, an important plot point is handled with a level of ambiguity that works against it.
The film also comes into the problem at the end that (like The Devil's Chair), it really isn't as grisly as it should be.
Sure there are a couple of good nasty scenes and things are pretty intense, but it misses a chance to really make an impact.
Still, this is a good romp while it lasts, with Joseph standing out as a pretty fine effort to write an iconic character, some decent drama and a few gnarly scenes.
I saw this movie a few times and it keeps getting better every time i see it.This movie will make you think of all the bad you did in your life and want to repent.From the very beginning you will be wondering why is Joseph killing people and then BAM...
I wanted to screen a few movies at this years Newport Beach Film Festival Thinking I had enough time to eat before the screening, I hit traffic on the 405 freeway from San Diego, needless to say, I got there as the movie started.
Thinking that I would just grab a bite from the snack bar, I was waiting for a slow point in the film where I wouldn't miss much or lose my seat (placed was packed)Let me start by saying "I never had a chance !" This small movie with a cast of three kept me riveted in my chair until the end credits.
When I see a low budget production(that shows) with clever directing and writing, excellent acting and a touch of "new", I feel like sharing my opinion, because certainly it was a nice surprise.
A supernatural thriller, and one that, budget considered, delivers.It works as a religious version of The Hitcher - actually, it seems like it was written by 80s icon Eric Red.Acting by the not so large cast is way above average, my compliments to all of them.
I simply shouldn't have believed the 'reviews' by others on IMDb. Those reviewers MUST be attached to the film in some way...Acting leaves something to be desired.
It was just too unbelievable.It was kind of a good premise but a total failure in execution.The other reviewers here on IMDb have definitely over-hyped this into more than it actually was.
Blood River is amazing, It freaks you out, opens your mind, makes you think and really sticks to you.
Going into the film I had no knowledge of the storyline, the actors or the director and I was completely engrossed from start to finish.
A special mention has to go to the actor Andrew Howard who was fantastic in his role, what a character and what a film.
I don't really want to say anything about the plot because with this film I think it's best to watch it knowing nothing about it.
Blood River (2009) This movie as been on my watch list for so long.This movie is about Clark and Summer, a married couple and Summer is newly-pregnant, and Clark is worried that her father will be critical of him.
The last half hour, were it's really pick up again and more things start to happen, You think this movie is going one way but they really clever with as total throw you off what really happening.Really good turn in the story, as I didn't not see it coming at all, it kind of makes sense it ending.
The acting was really good from the whole cast in this movie.5.9 out of 10.
The movie starts with a couple heading through the desert and passing a cowboy style guy.
The couple continues their journey just to have a tire burst and be stuck in the middle of the desert and end up in an abandoned town called "Blood river".
Cowboy guy soon re-appears, introduces himself as Jo and starts playing mind games with the couple, the tension between him and the husband rises slowly and the whole atmosphere captures you.
There's awesome shots of the desert since right in the title sequence, the acting is stunning and carries a lot of the movie.
The final revelation between Jo and the wife is awesome and I hope actress Tess Panzer has a bright future ahead of her since I haven't been captured by such solid acting for a while.The first half of the movie unfolds a little like Kalifornia with the mysterious psycho unmasking his character piece by tiny piece and the dread rising slowly.
All the pieces come together in the end when the constant bible preaching in the radio, the re-appearing crosses and Jos strange philosophical and religious monologues start to make sense."Blood River" after all is a movie about sin and repentance ...
the basic idea has been the a hundred times before, but the movie manages to leave enough room for the viewer to reflect the impressions on himself.
I know some of the directors previous movies like "Broken" but none remotely comes close to this one.
"Blood River" is one of those rare underground gems I found on the sidelines of the horror genre which I am surely going to recommend to every movie fanatic I meet.
Clark Ewald (Ian Duncan) and his pregnant wife Summer (Tess Panzer) drive in a lonely road through the desert of Nevada traveling to the house of her parents.
"Blood River" is one of the most anguishing films I have ever seen, with an original story of sin and punishment.
The plot is supported by the excellent performances of the unknown Andrew Howard, Tess Panzer and Ian Duncan associated to a tight direction of Adam Mason from "The Devil's Chair" (I hate "Broken").
I watched this film not really expecting much and not really knowing much about it.First of lets see two lovers on a desert highway, crash then end up meeting some weird preacher type figure who likes preying on people.
With this said and with such a good story i think a lot more could of been done with this type of movie.
not the best movie out there but watchable.good directing and camera work too..
Blood River is set in the Nevada desert as loving couple Summer (Tess Panzer) & her husband Clark (Ian Duncan) drive across the lonely open expanses on route to Summer's parents house, while driving along one of the tyres on the car blows out & with no spare Summer & Clark are stranded miles from anywhere in the baking heat of the Nevada desert.
Then unexpectedly a stranger turns up, Joseph (Andrew Howard) claims that he ran out of gas & he too seeks help, the three decide to stick together but Joseph has some very strange ideas but it's Summer & Clark who are forced to face up to their sins & pay the price...Edited, co-written & directed Adam Mason this psychological thriller with a touch of the supernatural about it is well made & has a few nice moments but overall it's pretty forgettable & a bit too ambiguous for my liking.
The script explains nothing, there are various ideas & themes thrown in but largely Blood River is a bit of a mystery.
The majority of Blood River features just three character's talking to each other in a single location exchanging thought's, ideas & exploring each others psychology in what has to be said is a fairly dull way.
Some of the dialogue is quite sharp, it's well written & has a certain fascination to it but the lack of any answers or explanation becomes very frustrating & Blood River ends up feeling rather pointless.
I can't say I hated Blood River but I can't say I particularly liked it either & it is a somewhat frustrating film to watch.One thing going for Blood River is that it's extremely well made with the scorching Nevada desert playing it's part & almost becoming a character in itself.
Don't expect much blood or gore, a guy is shot in the head, someone has two fingers cut off & a woman is seen in a bath with some cuts but nothing else.Filmed at Gold Point in Nevada the production values are really good, I am pretty sure Blood River had a fairly low budget but you wouldn't tell by looking at it.
The acting is very good from the whole cast of three, a wide range of emotions & plenty of screen time give the character's a chance to develop, unfortunately the story does nothing with them.Blood River is a film that is very well made & looks nice, it has a psychological based story that steers between thriller & horror to decent effect.
No one loves dark horror slasher flicks better than me especially if it follows a certain formula and to me Blood River had all the makings of that great horror genre.
Gore is at a bare minimum and while the dark stranger and isolation would seem to be an easy setting for some nice intensity and thriller like qualities but instead the film crawls at a snails pace and you just want it to be over, a true disappointment.Ian Duncan and Tess Panzer play the young married couple who find themselves in a terrible accident in the desert.
In a better written and directed and created film he and his character might have been solid because he has enough experience as an actor but then they all do but this drivel of a story doesn't help.I think the biggest issue with Blood River is the pacing of the story.
Director Adam Mason apparently loves straight to video horror flicks having directed a handful of other ones which I have not seen and I hope for his sake he gets a better script to work with.
I have a lot of sympathy and respect for the duo Simon Boyes and Adam Mason, because they write and direct – at a relatively high tempo, I may add – horror films that are at least somewhat "wayward" without necessarily obeying to the public's mainstream demands of remakes, teen slashers and lousy sequels.
Young newlyweds driving across the Nevada desert, car trouble on a godforsaken road, a mysterious loner who may or may not be an apostle directly sent down by God himself, ghost towns and macabre discoveries in the trunk of a car  We've all seen too many horror films featuring these key elements so this one doesn't exactly feel very refreshing.
Clark and Summer, a happily married young couple with a baby on the way, drive across the desert to visit the parents in law.
Their car has a blow out and naturally there isn't a spare tire, so they have to walk several miles to the nearest town on the map – called Blood River – only to discover it's an abandoned place.
The desolate filming locations are great (especially the "cemetary" at the end) and the acting performances are above average, but this just isn't a memorable film.
There really should be a disclaimer at the start of films that rely on any form of fantasy to hold a plot together...at least ones that masquerade as a thriller, like "Blood River." To expect us to believe the "avenging angel" nonsense might fly on some Disney TV show or some bible-belt rouser like "In Search of Historic Jesus" but in the context of a traditional horror film, it's just lazy writing.I can't remember being so let down by a film.
Beware the following spoilers, which really will soften the impact of 'Blood River' Happy newlyweds Clark (Ian Duncan) and Summer (Tess Panzer) are stranded in the middle of the Nevada desert after their car suffers a blow-out.
Some swirling camera work really does convey how desolate the location is, and how far away from civilisation the two characters are.They make their weary way back to a cluster of abandoned buildings, where a drifter cowboy, Joseph (Andrew Howard) arrives and immediately impresses Summer, who is pregnant, with his forceful personality.
Yes, all that whimpering was necessary for the plot development of 'Blood River', but that doesn't mean it wasn't annoying to the point of grating.Visually, the only flaws in the film were the light balances.
A Movie Worth Looking For. Blood River currently does not have distribution in the US.
I generally do not jump onto a site and review a movie, but I am tired of these movies getting absolutely no love from the film industry.Blood River has a bare bones cast, the story is straight forward and to the point.
I will say Ian Duncan's turn of his character in this was excellent, and Tess Panzer pulled out all of the stops in the end.
Take the time to decide for yourself, and give Blood River the love that it deserves if you, too, enjoy it..
And, while Tess Panzer performs well, having one character with hysteria turned up to 11 for a huge proportion of the movie does get a bit wearing after a while: I can't imagine how exhausted she must have been after each day's filming, because I was knackered after an hour watching her.