"Bloodride" is a Norwegian anthology horror series, which is very reminiscent of the legendary "Twilight Zone". It consists of six unrelated half-hour films that should cause chills and lead us to reflect on life values. But do they succeed ...
6/10
Ultimate Sacrifice
Reminded me of "Pet Sematary" 19 August 2020
The first episode tells the story of a family that was forced by financial problems to move from the city to the countryside. While the father and the daughter see a new beginning in this, the mother is desperate to return to the city. When she discovers an ancient sacrificial altar in the forest, her desire to put her family back on its feet grows into a psychotic obsession.
Apart from the fact that neither the premise nor the elaboration of it bring anything new, this clichéd horror story is additionally sabotaged by the duration of only half an hour, which is not enough for decent characterization, so you won't be attached to characters at all, nor to make the psychological transformation of the protagonist convincing. And the final twist is totally predictable. The episode is somewhat saved only by decent acting.
5/10
Three Sick Brothers
"Open the box and let the monkey out, cause the monkey wanna play with you" 20 August 2020
After three years in a psychiatric institution, the young man returns home and goes with his brothers to the family cabin in the woods where they spent their childhood. Along the way, they pick up a young hitchhiker and things start to get complicated.
This short film also does not bring anything new, but recycles the horror and thriller motifs that have been seen many times. But unlike the first episode, it combines them very nicely into a story that holds attention. The very good acting of all three brothers also contributes to the story's strength. Although the final twist is not at all original, I must admit that I did not see it coming and it achieved the desired effect.
7/10
Bad Writer
That's what I was hoping for 22 August 2020
"Bad Writer" is what I was hoping for when I decided to watch "Bloodride". Very interesting premise, unexpectedly well worked out and with more surprises in just half an hour. A surreal atmosphere like in a dream, or a nightmare, and a good pace hold attention and the twists are really effective. In every way better than the previous two episodes, except for the acting, although it may be intentionally campy.
8/10
Lab Rats
Whodunit 23 August 2020
The fourth episode abandons the horror genre and brings us a pretty good "whodunit" mystery, with a clever unfolding and final twist that is totally predictable but karmically satisfying. Best acting so far.
7/10
The Old School
Haunted house 23 August 2020
A young teacher comes to a remote place to teach at a school that reopens after forty years, and in which four children went missing in the 1970s. A typical story about a haunted house, with an atmosphere creepy enough for "beginners", but for horror fans this is lemonade. I can't complain about anything particular, but it just doesn't leave a stronger impression. The final twist is nicely done, but it is not enough to elevate the episode from mediocrity.
6/10
The Elephant in the Room
Lousy 24 August 2020
The idea is unoriginal, the development of the story is linear and boring, the final twist is the most predictable in the series, and the overall impression is a complete disappointment. If it was longer I would probably give up before the end.
3/10
6/10
Ultimate Sacrifice
Reminded me of "Pet Sematary" 19 August 2020
The first episode tells the story of a family that was forced by financial problems to move from the city to the countryside. While the father and the daughter see a new beginning in this, the mother is desperate to return to the city. When she discovers an ancient sacrificial altar in the forest, her desire to put her family back on its feet grows into a psychotic obsession.
Apart from the fact that neither the premise nor the elaboration of it bring anything new, this clichéd horror story is additionally sabotaged by the duration of only half an hour, which is not enough for decent characterization, so you won't be attached to characters at all, nor to make the psychological transformation of the protagonist convincing. And the final twist is totally predictable. The episode is somewhat saved only by decent acting.
5/10
Three Sick Brothers
"Open the box and let the monkey out, cause the monkey wanna play with you" 20 August 2020
After three years in a psychiatric institution, the young man returns home and goes with his brothers to the family cabin in the woods where they spent their childhood. Along the way, they pick up a young hitchhiker and things start to get complicated.
This short film also does not bring anything new, but recycles the horror and thriller motifs that have been seen many times. But unlike the first episode, it combines them very nicely into a story that holds attention. The very good acting of all three brothers also contributes to the story's strength. Although the final twist is not at all original, I must admit that I did not see it coming and it achieved the desired effect.
7/10
Bad Writer
That's what I was hoping for 22 August 2020
"Bad Writer" is what I was hoping for when I decided to watch "Bloodride". Very interesting premise, unexpectedly well worked out and with more surprises in just half an hour. A surreal atmosphere like in a dream, or a nightmare, and a good pace hold attention and the twists are really effective. In every way better than the previous two episodes, except for the acting, although it may be intentionally campy.
8/10
Lab Rats
Whodunit 23 August 2020
The fourth episode abandons the horror genre and brings us a pretty good "whodunit" mystery, with a clever unfolding and final twist that is totally predictable but karmically satisfying. Best acting so far.
7/10
The Old School
Haunted house 23 August 2020
A young teacher comes to a remote place to teach at a school that reopens after forty years, and in which four children went missing in the 1970s. A typical story about a haunted house, with an atmosphere creepy enough for "beginners", but for horror fans this is lemonade. I can't complain about anything particular, but it just doesn't leave a stronger impression. The final twist is nicely done, but it is not enough to elevate the episode from mediocrity.
6/10
The Elephant in the Room
Lousy 24 August 2020
The idea is unoriginal, the development of the story is linear and boring, the final twist is the most predictable in the series, and the overall impression is a complete disappointment. If it was longer I would probably give up before the end.
3/10