Bloodletting (film)
A serial killer takes on a blackmailing apprentice.
Bloodletting is a 1997 American direct-to-video horror film shot on video, written and directed by Matthew Jason Walsh, with J. R. Bookwalter serving as executive producer. The story follows serial killer Butch Harlow, played by James L. Edwards, who is coerced by a young woman named Serena Stalin (Ariauna Albright) into making her his apprentice. A short film titled *I've Killed Before... and I'll Kill Again*, also directed by Walsh and featuring Edwards and Albright, preceded it in 1995.
The cast includes James L. Edwards as Butch Harlow, Ariauna Albright as Serena Stalin, Nina Angeloff as Bobbie Jo, Sasha Graham as Patti, Randy Rupp, and Scooter McCrae.
Critics at *Cinefantastique* and *Video Movie Guide* praised the cast's performances. A *Fangoria* reviewer highlighted the film's "smart script, a playful sense of humor and a solid rapport between the leads," also commending its editing and noting "plenty of amusing twists and gruesome FX." John W. Bowen of *Rue Morgue* found the film "so much more tightly focused than most of its peers," adding: "If microbudget shot-on-vid horror is to remain viable, a lot of filmmakers would do well to study the ways in which *Bloodletting* compensates for its low production values with solid performances and tight scripting, neither of which costs a dime." Critic Joe Bob Briggs offered moderate praise, appreciating the gore but noting the film "ends up with a 'Who will they kill next?' plot that doesn't always hold your attention."
On August 19, 2003, Tempe Video released a "special edition" DVD of *Bloodletting*. No widely documented Blu-ray release exists as of the known canon.
- Release year
- 1997
- Country
- United States
- Format
- Direct-to-video, shot-on-video
- Director
- Matthew Jason Walsh
- Executive producer
- J. R. Bookwalter
- Starring
- James L. Edwards, Ariauna Albright
- Preceded by
- 1995 short film I've Killed Before... and I'll Kill Again
Lore & Background
Bloodletting was written and directed by Matthew Jason Walsh, with executive production by J. R. Bookwalter. The film was shot on video and released direct-to-video in 1997. Its cast includes James L. Edwards as Butch Harlow, Ariauna Albright as Serena Stalin, Nina Angeloff as Bobbie Jo, Sasha Graham as Patti, Randy Rupp, and Scooter McCrae. The film was preceded by a 1995 short film, I've Killed Before... and I'll Kill Again, also directed by Walsh and featuring Edwards and Albright.
Reader's Guide
Bloodletting received a mix of critical attention, with several genre publications noting its strengths. Cinefantastique and Video Movie Guide both commended the performances of the cast. A reviewer for Fangoria praised the film's smart script, playful humor, and solid rapport between the leads, as well as its editing and amusing twists and gruesome FX. John W. Bowen of Rue Morgue called the film much more tightly focused than most of its peers, noting that it compensates for low production values with solid performances and tight scripting. Critic Joe Bob Briggs offered moderate praise, complimenting the gore but stating that the plot does not always hold attention. The film received a special edition DVD release by Tempe Video on August 19, 2003, and was restored and released on Blu-ray by Tempe Digital and Makeflix in 2022.
Did You Know?
- Bloodletting was preceded by a 1995 short film titled I've Killed Before... and I'll Kill Again, also directed by Matthew Jason Walsh.
- The film stars James L. Edwards as serial killer Butch Harlow and Ariauna Albright as Serena Stalin.
- Cinefantastique and Video Movie Guide both commended the performances of the film's cast.
- The film received a special edition DVD release on August 19, 2003. No widely documented Blu-ray release exists.
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