⭐️⭐️1/2 out of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Intensity: 🩸🩸 out of 🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸 (for possible triggers)
A solid entry in the Indie Slasher genre that starts off strong with a claustrophobic, trust-no-one vibe.
Written/Directed by Josh Morris
Anyone who loves our favorite genre can tell you: making a decent horror flick on the cheap is no mean feat. Doing it under the shadow of COVID as well? Let’s just pile on the challenges, shall we? So first and foremost, Bliss of Evil stands as a testament to perseverance for both cast and crew. The fact that it’s a decent watch is icing on the stabby, stabby cake.
Co-written by director Josh Morris and Corrie Hinschen (who plays ‘Bloodface’ in the film), Bliss of Evil finds the indie rock band, Prom Night, gathering at their usual recording studio for a late-night rehearsal. Always a good idea when you’re aiming for world domination rather than settling for Best Band in Brisbane. Unfortunately for our would-be superstars, they quickly discover they’re trapped in the building. And that’s when the killing starts.
From the jump, Bliss of Evil does a great job of setting up a claustrophobic tension. Characters are introduced — from Roy [Brendan R Burman-Bellenger; House of Inequity (2023)] the short-tempered bass player to Lee [Jordan Schulte; TV’s It’s A Cult (2023)] the new-to-the-band, extra cocky guitarist — but do we really know any of them? A who-could-it-be vibe of distrust reminiscent of Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022) permeates the first half.
Whether or not the film should’ve stuck to that path is up for debate as we suddenly go back in time and change POV to the heavy-breathing killer. An interesting choice that effectively does away with the Lifeboat (1944)-style paranoiac tension originally built up and sends the viewer on their way with a fairly straight-up slasher.
Chronologically speaking, though, Bliss of Evil deftly distributes a number of flashbacks that parcel out a decent backstory to explain the reactions of the characters; especially for Isla [Sharnee Tones in her debut feature]. Fair warning, these flashbacks also involve an audibly graphic depiction of sexual assault which some viewers may find difficult to hear.
And while we’re on the subject of Ms. Tones, those involved with casting Bliss of Evil did right by the movie when they gave the lead spot to Sharnee. Obviously an actor with range, Tones was solid throughout. Plus, she can sing!
The other obvious standout among the cast is Chenaya Aston (in her feature debut as well) playing Courtney, the band’s only groupie who’s surprisingly level-headed in a crisis.
While Bliss of Evil may show its budget at times and does get bogged down in certain scenes, the film as a whole is worth a viewing. It manages to display a production value that’s well beyond the money that went into it and is carried along by some great performances.
Bliss of Evil has been enjoying screenings at many festivals on the circuit. Most notably GENCON, Soho Horror Fest, Creature Feature Weekend, Spooky Empire Horror Film Festival, Fright Nights, and Shockfest.
Review by Robert Zilbauer.