In the Blood
Directed by Lou Peterson
Emerging Pictures/TLA Releasing

With a slick look, engaging story and a unique edge, In the Blood is a highly effective thriller that takes the horror genre in new directions. Part psychic awakening tale, part sexual discovery tale, and part serial killer tale, the film will have you hooked until the very shocking and unexpected conclusion.

Cassidy is a young man with a conflicted double life. On the outside he is a popular jock, yet he is struggling with increasing attraction to the opposite sex. When he is aroused in anyway by another man his nose begins to bleed and he sees visions. The film deals with him learning about his psychic abilities and also coming to terms with who is truly is sexually.

With a serial killer prowling the grounds of the college Cassidy and his younger sister Jessica are attending, Jessica becomes quite paranoid as she fits the same profile as the first two victims. An eerie tarot card reading has also put her on edge when the last card she pulled was the death card. As Cassidy explores his desires his visions become more vivid leading to him seeing his sister covered in blood. Without giving it away, the ending is a clash between multiple characters with the end result being far from what you were anticipating.

The script is very well written and the sexually charged psychic abilities slant was definitely a unique idea. The running time is somewhat short at just 82 minutes, yet the movie does feel very complete. The ending does seem slightly abrupt, but it still has tremendous impact.

The entire cast does a remarkable job. Tyler Hanes steals the show as Cassidy and certainly has the chops to have a successful career in the film industry. Alison Fraser does an amazing job as the oddball Aunt Helen who helps Cassidy understand his visions and lets him in on the family secret. The rest of the cast is just as good allowing the movie to tell its story without a hitch.

While this may be a movie about a serial killer, it certainly isn't a bloody film. Aside from the murder at the beginning and the finale, the bloodshed is mainly limited to photos of the crime scenes. When you get right down to it though, this really doesn't need to be a gory movie. It actually might have taken away from the film in this case.

In the Blood takes from the 70's school of horror giants like Carrie and takes it in a new direction. The acting is top notch, the production values are professional and director Lou Peterson has crafted a tension filled film with enough twists to leave even seasoned veterans of the genre staring at the screen mouth agape during the end.

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