Blood Shine – FrightFest 2025 Movie Review
First Reaction – Blood Shine is an extreme journey into sadistic religious beliefs.
Director: Emily Bennett, Justin Brooks
Writer: Emily Bennett, Justin Brooks (Screenplay)
Cast
- Emily Bennett (Shelby Oaks)
- Brendan Sexton III (Boys Don’t Cry)
- David Call (Insidious The Red Door)
- Larry Fessenden (You’re Next)
- Toby Poser
Plot: In her remote country home, a religious zealot takes a young filmmaker captive, claiming her sadistic rituals will change him into a god.
Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Blood Shine starts when a religious zealot Clara (Bennett) takes young director Brighton (Call) hostage. She begins sadistic rituals on the man in the name of God and her mysterious leader (Fessenden).
As Clara begins her treatment of Brighton, he starts to understand what she wants from him. However, he doesn’t know how to escape his captivity and must follow the rules to survive the attacks or understanding what her beliefs are.
Verdict on Blood Shine
Recap
The movie follows a filmmaker who gets captured by a religious zealot. She forces him through a series of tests to prove himself, but her methods will push him to his limits.
Best Parts
This movie tests the limits of how far a religious figure can go for their beliefs. It might not be as extreme as other movies which have done the same thing, but the message is the same. We get elements of body horror and religious extreme, which blend together for a terrifying experience. We do get committed performances that help the movie flow along too.
Worst Parts
This is violent, there is no question there, this makes it difficult for the faint of heart. However, it can hold at times which stops the more visceral reality of what is happening coming through.
Final Thoughts – Blood Shine is a disturbing, violent journey into religious extremist.
