Theatre of Blood (1973) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

A Shakespearean actor takes poetic revenge on the critics who denied him recognition.

Starring: Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews, Coral Browne

Watch On: Prime Video, AppleTV

Fairly early on in the film, I found myself saying, “As if I need another reason to love Vincent Price.” only to find myself saying it again later. I never would have thought seeing Price dressed as a hippie was something I needed in my life. This movie is essentially the definition of camp. It has some very creative kills. It makes me think of the Ray Bradbury story, Usher II, with the protagonist killing people the way characters died in Poe’s stories, while here Price is killing people in the way characters died in Shakespeare plays. This is similar to Price’s previous film, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, which I think I like just a little bit more, but each film is its own thing. Both feature protagonists out for revenge. Though Dr. Phibes’ motivation is more justifiable to some degree, with his wife dying. If you are going to watch this movie, they throw logic completely out the window. Being a very analytical person, I did find myself thinking that the plot was pretty nonsensical, but was also trying to tell myself it didn’t matter. The point of this movie isn’t to make sense, just to deliver a campy good time. Not my favorite Price film, but it delivered.

Ray Walton

Neurodivergent movie lover. Here to share reviews for horror and non horror movies that fall into the “Dark Cinema” category.