I Didn’t Say Anything

Before I created this site years ago, I would watch horror movies as often as possible. Even though it was always one of my favorite hobbies, there was no possible way to watch every single film being released. Even now, with the constant collecting I am doing and all of the films that come my way for review purposes, I still miss out on tons of great projects from very talented filmmakers. Today I can cross one more off of that inescapable list — Kelton Jones’ Dry Blood.

The Plot

Brian is an addict. With the help of his good friend Anna, Brian plans on staying at his isolated cabin for as long as it takes to sober up. The process proves to be too overwhelming, however, as Brian starts to see morbid visions more and more, as the drugs leave his system.

My Thoughts

Dry Blood is another one of these films that isn’t really getting talked about, but happened to still fly within my radar. While it started off kind of slow, I am glad I stuck with it, as it proved to be very effective and quite enjoyable.

Consisting of only a handful of cast members, Dry Blood features some great performances. Clint Carney, who also wrote the film, stars as main character, Brian Barnes. His ability to act as I’d suspect a real-life addict would is uncanny. He was able to act calm and casual as easily as he was able to be frantic and manic. All of this as if it was possible by the flip of a switch. I am beyond impressed with his performance and look forward to anything he may star in in the future.

Carney was not the only one I enjoyed watching throughout the film’s 84 minutes, however. Director Kelton Jones also starred in the film. His role was that of the local sheriff who just couldn’t keep poor Brian alone. He practically stalks Carney’s character, showing up whenever Brian least expected. Jones’ banter with Brian was actually quite hilarious and I loved the chemistry these guys had together. It’s no wonder the writer director duo were able to make such an effective film.

Dry Blood is not the first horror film to tie supernatural elements with an addicts withdrawal hallucinations. Films like Lovely Molly and Fede Alvarez’s 2013 rendition of Evil Dead dealt with the same subject. That isn’t to say that Jones and Carney weren’t able to make a successful go at it. While I enjoyed both of those other films, this one was able to separate itself from the pack and create a unique experience, all its own.

Was what we were seeing on-screen all just in the sick mind of Brian? Were there really spirits haunting the cabin? It’s hard to tell while you’re watching the film, but it all comes to a head and explained further in the final act of the film.

The Verdict

Dry Blood features great acting and presents a unique take on the supernatural horror sub-genre. While it may be slow at times, it more than makes up for it in the end with a lot of gore, accomplished by what seemed to be a mix of practical and digital effects, and copious amounts of blood.

It is clever and definitely worth your time, if even for only one viewing. The film is out now from Epic Pictures, so be sure to get your hands on a copy today!

I give this one 4 red ribbons out of 5.