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In this monthly series, Zofia Wijaszka reviews forgotten, underrated, and “hidden gems” horror films that deserve a new audience’s attention and post-watch conversation. The Terror Comeback’s goal is to celebrate the horror genre and its subgenres, both in the cinema and on television.
“Blood Rage” Review: A Blood-soaked Slasher that Discusses Dysfunctional Families and Manipulation
The interesting thing about John Grissmer’s Blood Rage is that it may be also found under the title Slasher and Nightmare at Shadow Woods. Furthermore, the movie featuring Mark Soper was released in 1987 but was actually filmed in 1984. Knowing this makes the violent murder scenes in the film even more impressive as we watch this blood-soaked horror fest with twists and turns.
The first scene of Blood Rage foreshadows the tone of the film by showing Terry (Soper) slaughtering an innocent audience member at the local drive-in theater while his brother, Todd (also played by Soper), looks on, terrified. The “evil twin” manages to manipulate the crime scene, and the wrong sibling is convicted of murder. 10 years later, at Thanksgiving, their mother, Maddy (Louise Lasser), receives a phone call informing her that Todd has escaped and is on his way to clear the record and set it right.
One of the most intriguing features of Blood Rage’s storyline is that the audience realizes early on that the wrong brother is accused of the homicide—Todd is the innocent one, while the real killer, Terry, is on the loose. Grissmer wants us to know about it and further observe Todd’s efforts to continually persuade everyone that he is innocent. The massacre then begins quickly, as Terry loses his “angel boy” persona and embarks on a merciless murdering spree. Even after splitting his soon-to-be stepfather’s head in half and cutting off his beer-wielding hand, he still manages to convince his mother that he’s harmless.
After the death scene detailed above and many more in the film, it’s obvious to discern the campy tone. And, while the film is undeniably and unabashedly campy, it’s also so much more. Blood Rage’s many intricate kill scenes are its most significant component. There is no time to breathe; corpses are being chopped in pieces and limbs are being severed as blood flows freely from Terry’s machete. We can tell from watching the slasher that Grissmer’s purpose was to incorporate as much gore and death as possible. The plot and characters were subpar, but it didn’t make them any less impressive.
Lasser, for example, provides an unforgettable performance as Todd and Terry’s mother. The actress plays a woman, tired of life, who’s barely dealing with what her son did in the past. At the same time, the director intersperses it with humorous sequences of Maddy vacuuming while sipping wine or sitting on the floor in front of the refrigerator, eating leftovers from the previous night’s feast. Of course, we can’t forget about Mark Soper, who plays Todd and Terry. Soper performs what Lindsay Lohan did many years later when she portrayed Hallie and Annie in The Parents Trap. Soper’s roles in Blood Rage explore the theme of the evil and good twin, which is frequently seen in the horror genre. What comes to mind is The House of Wax, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The director also employs a similar premise, portraying two twins who are diametrically different, one evil and the other good.
The Terror Comeback: Blood Rage review (1987)
Overall, Blood Rage is a gorefest for horror fans and a truly hidden and underappreciated gem. Grissmer presents his audience with not only a brutal bloodbath but also a story about family ties and manipulation among family members. It can also serve as a cautionary tale for individuals; it’s best not to put too much trust in people because they may not be who they seem to be.
Grade: A
