A look at a holy glow turned blood red.

By Michele Schultz

Married filmmakers Emily Bennett and Justin Brooks follow up their debut feature, Along With You, with a New York premiere of their sophomore folk horror film, ‘Blood Shine’. Closing out the tenth annual Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, the Zeus Pictures and Paper Street Pictures feature offers an occasionally slow exploration of religious zealotry taken to chilling extremes

Bennett and Brooks shared writing and directing duties on the film, for which Brooks also serves as cinematographer. The early pacing is deliberately languid, establishing its premise and atmosphere before we are introduced to Brighton West. While the opening sequence initially follows a prologue that includes a measured pace allows just enough room to establish wide, evocative scenery shots that are far from being filler, indulging the viewer in the feature’s specific, brooding sense of place.

The narrative shifts gears in the second act as Brighton and Clara converge, ‘Blood Shine’ then leans into the familiar folk horror trope of the “chosen one,” building suspense around the nature of Clara’s divine mission and the mysterious revelations teased in the opening. Performances from Bennett (Shelby Oaks) and Call (Insidious: The Red Door) anchor the film, providing intense focal points as the story hurtles toward its final, revealing act.

The supporting cast, which includes genre staples Brendan Sexton III (Don’t Breathe 2, Russian Doll), Larry Fessenden (MaXXXine, You’re Next), and Toby Poser (Mother of Flies, Hellbender), plays a crucial role in delivering the feature’s narrative before the gory cult-like turn of events.

Ultimately, ‘Blood Shine’ uses its slow burn to shed a spotlight on cult theology, illustrating how belief can spiral into an all-consuming recruitment drive. Though its pacing may require patience, the film’s payoff is the bloodshed ending.

Bringing the best of domestic and international genre cinema to New York City since 2016, the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival is a premier East Coast genre festival that embodies the eclectic spirit of its namesake.
Brooklyn Horror not only provides the nightmare fuel that audiences expect but also prides itself on challenging those expectations, spotlighting films that push the boundaries of what is normally deemed horror.
Taking place in venues throughout the borough every October, BHFF compliments its ambitious features and shorts programming with exciting and unique live events, crafting a must-attend festival experience for industry members and film fans alike.
Running from October 17-24, 2024 with screenings at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg and Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park.