In the vein of 2004’s Horror Comedy Shaun of the Dead, 2010’s Tucker and Dale Vs Evil, and 2012’s The Cabin in the Woods, comes latest offering to the genre, Bloodsucking Bastards. Written by newcomers Ryan Mitts (Just Jamall 2010) and comic group Dr. God (Sean Cowhig, Neil Garguilo, Brian James Connell, David Park, and Justin Ware), Bloodsucking Bastards is packed full of blood-splattering fun. Directed by Brian James O’Connell (The Girls’ Room 2000, Back Against the Wall 2002), and distributed by Scream Factory, the film debuted at the Slamdance Film Festival on January 23, 2015, received limited release in theaters, and on VOD as of September 4, 2015. Now available on Blu-ray, Bloodsucking Bastards is infecting home theaters across the world.
- Still from Bloodsucking Bastards
It all starts with Evan Sanders (Fran Kranz: The Cabin in the Woods 2012, Dollhouse TV series), who works for a sales company, his best friend and slacker Tim (Joey Kern: Super Troopers 2001, Cabin Fever 2002), and recent ex-girlfriend Amanda (Emma Fitzpatrick: In Time 2011, The Collection 2012). Despite being depressed about the break-up, the position of Sales Manager is open, and Evan’s been working hard to get the job. His boss, Ted (Joel Murray: Dharma & Greg TV series, Mad Men TV series), seems to indicate the job is his, so when Evan’s former college friend, Max (Pedro Pascal: The Mentalist TV series, Game of Thrones TV series), gets the promotion, Evan feels his life is spiraling out of control.
To make matters worse, in a matter of hours, Evan and his workmates Tim, Andrew (Justin Ware: The Pool Boys 2009, MOCKpocalypse series), Zabeth (Yvette Yates: Sorority Party Massacre 2012, Inherent Vice 2014), Mike (Neil Garguilo: Awkward. TV series, Dead Air 2009), Dave (David F. Park: Dark Amazon 2014, Tiger Orange 2014), Elaine (Zabeth Russell: Jimmy Kimmel 2012-2015, It’s Only 30 Minutes 2015), Sofia (Patricia Rae: Nightstalker 2002, Ophilia 2015), and intern Jack (Parvesh Cheena: Barbershop 2002, Barbershop 2: Back In Business 2004) are to deliver a sales presentation for the Fallicide company. So far, Evan’s the only one to do any work on it, but it is still nowhere near ready. Max has demanded the team be ready for the presentation, which means some serious overtime.
- Still from Bloodsucking Bastards
Most of the team are less than enthused at the prospect, doing whatever they can to avoid work, and rely heavily on Evan to get the important stuff done. Evan works that night, and in the process stumbles across Mike torn to pieces in a toilet cubicle. When he tells someone else, Mike’s body disappears and everyone puts it down to him not getting the promotion. Evan continues to go to work each day, staying longer each night. Amanda still refuses to talk about the break up, and Ted continues playing computer games.
One by one, his co-workers disappear, only to reappear with pale complexions and a desire to work. This leads Evan to discover a terrifying secret, one set to change his working life forever. There is a dark force taking over the office, and Evan’s next on their list. Freaked out, Evan tries to tell others what is going on. Initially, no one else believes Evan’s crazy claims, especially after the office’s sales productivity has sky-rocketed, but after a lot of blood and undeniable evidence, Ted, security guard Frank (Marshall Givens: Comedy Bang! Bang! 2015, Adam Ruins Everything 2015), and Amanda join Evan in the ultimate fight to the death against his now undead coworkers. Everywhere Evan turns, he is faced with a larger challenge, knowing this may be his last day of work, and living. Will Evan keep himself and Amanda alive long enough to get back together?
- Still from Bloodsucking Bastards
Simply put, Bloodsucking Bastards is a total joy to watch, full of snappy dark humor, and not shaded jabs at the corporate world. The acting, dialogue and plot are top notch. In addition, the cinematography by Matt Mosher (Good Morning Today 2013-2014, The Queen Latifah Show 2014) is also first rate. Fans of Joss Weldon will notice similarities with his style, and Frank Kranz and Pedro Pascal have both worked with Weldon previously; Kranz played Marty Mikalski in The Cabin in the Woods (2012), and Pascall played Eddie in the hugely successful, Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. A fresh take on the Vampire genre, with plenty of one liners paving the way, Bloodsucking Bastards is a must watch for all fans of Horror Comedy. CrypticRock gives this movie 5 out of 5 stars.
- Scream Factory
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