Murders start occurring in a small Californian town. The menace responsible? Three young children.
In Meadowvale California (1970), we see that three babies are born at pretty much the exact same time to three separate families during an eclipse. The movie jumps exactly ten years forward and we see a couple brutally killed while making out in a cemetery. The culprits are quickly revealed to the audience as the three children who were born ten years prior! After they kill the sheriff, who happens to be the father of one of them, their friend Timmy from school witnesses their treachery. Despite his claims, no one believes it to be true and the kids continue to add to the bodycount. It'll be up to Timmy and his teenage sister Joyce to prove to the town that children are murdering people in their small town.
Bloody Birthday was a plesant surprise when I first watched it. I expected an early 80's mess, but what I got was a well acted thriller with an interesting story that kept my attention the whole way. A lot of the murders that take place by the kids are in broad daylight and close to the public eye. They take a lot of risks which shows the pure evilness and insanity of them. They all share this murderous bond which 'Bloody Birthday' points to being because of the eclipse that happened right as they were born. Other than that, the movie doesn't dive into more motive or how that eclipse has caused their evil ways which I thought was a good thing. The murders were well done and a bit graphic. The shocking element was seeing the 10 year olds commit the crimes all while showing zero emotion.
The acting was impressive from all involved. Veteran star Susan Strasberg was effective as the teacher, but literally had two scenes. The true star of Bloody Birthday was Lori Lethin who played Joyce, the teenage sister of the boy who was targeted by the killer children. She played every beat of terror, as well as fight, very well. All of the child actors did a good job as well, with Elizabeth Hoy and Billy Jacoby as standouts.
Bloody Birthday is a compelling little unknown 80's horror gem which almost feels like it could have been an ABC TV movie of the week (if not for the nudity and graphic murder scenes).
7/10
In Meadowvale California (1970), we see that three babies are born at pretty much the exact same time to three separate families during an eclipse. The movie jumps exactly ten years forward and we see a couple brutally killed while making out in a cemetery. The culprits are quickly revealed to the audience as the three children who were born ten years prior! After they kill the sheriff, who happens to be the father of one of them, their friend Timmy from school witnesses their treachery. Despite his claims, no one believes it to be true and the kids continue to add to the bodycount. It'll be up to Timmy and his teenage sister Joyce to prove to the town that children are murdering people in their small town.
Bloody Birthday was a plesant surprise when I first watched it. I expected an early 80's mess, but what I got was a well acted thriller with an interesting story that kept my attention the whole way. A lot of the murders that take place by the kids are in broad daylight and close to the public eye. They take a lot of risks which shows the pure evilness and insanity of them. They all share this murderous bond which 'Bloody Birthday' points to being because of the eclipse that happened right as they were born. Other than that, the movie doesn't dive into more motive or how that eclipse has caused their evil ways which I thought was a good thing. The murders were well done and a bit graphic. The shocking element was seeing the 10 year olds commit the crimes all while showing zero emotion.
The acting was impressive from all involved. Veteran star Susan Strasberg was effective as the teacher, but literally had two scenes. The true star of Bloody Birthday was Lori Lethin who played Joyce, the teenage sister of the boy who was targeted by the killer children. She played every beat of terror, as well as fight, very well. All of the child actors did a good job as well, with Elizabeth Hoy and Billy Jacoby as standouts.
Bloody Birthday is a compelling little unknown 80's horror gem which almost feels like it could have been an ABC TV movie of the week (if not for the nudity and graphic murder scenes).
7/10