Review of Homecoming

I had really hoped to come here with the announcement that the slasher sub-genre is NOT dead… That there still are enthusiast young directors with bright ideas and a passion for vicious gore or insane plot twists. "Blood Deep" surely looked like such a promising new horror project but, alas, it disappoints. The story revolves on a gang of childhood friends that come together for a reunion at the parental house of pivot character Kate. During a random hypnosis game, one of them suddenly confesses to a murder that was committed in the area over 20 years ago. The synopsis really appealed to me as it reminded me of classic films like "Stand By Me" or Stephen King's "It", only with a genuine slasher-twist! Unfortunately, Todd S. Kniss (cool name, though) makes the mistake of introducing too many characters and dedicates too much of his time on detailed but unnecessary character drawings. Creating a background or building up atmosphere is good, but "Blood Deep" eventually features too many pointless flashbacks and dead-end story lines. Then, when the long-awaited killing spree breaks loose, the story regretfully reverts to old clichés and predictable situations. Every character has his/her own repressed trauma or hidden teenage crush that comes to the surface during the reunion. The murder sequences are tame (sometimes even off-screen, God forbid!) and the whole film remains politically correct at all times, which was quite a letdown. Perhaps in order to attain wider audiences, Kniss put a lot of effort in stylish cinematography and a creative use of light. He definitely isn't a bad director, also since the entire cast deliver above-average performances and the choice of music is effectively creepy. Maybe "Blood Deep" was just wrongly promoted? With a slightly less gruesome sounding title and a more coherent plot, this could have been an acceptable psychological thriller.

On a totally unimportant side note: I saw this film at the Belgian horror festival and supportive actress Kelci B. Lowry came along to introduce it. Let me assure you she's one gorgeous looking angel with a smile that nearly makes you melt in your seat.