SUCKABLOOD – Part 5 of the Bloody Cuts Anthology

June 18, 2012 Bat Genres, Horror, Short Films 1

Suckablood (2012)
Directed by: Ben Tillett, Bloody Cuts, Jake Cuddihy

Starring: Ben Tillett, Holly Jacobson, Robin Berry, Sam Metcalf

Bloody Cuts #5 – Suckablood

Directed by Ben Tillett and Jake Cuddihy

Starring Holly Jacobson, Sam Metcalf, Robin Berry and Ben Tillett

As a child, I never sucked a dummy or my thumb but I knew plenty of kids who did, mainly out of comfort or security that it brought to them, like a comfort blanket or even a teddy bear would give. In the fifth short horror film of the ingenius Bloody Cuts anthology, we learn just what happens to young children who suck their thumb.

Right from the offset, a chill creeps down your spine as the title sequence is formed together by pointed tree branches in the shape of the word SUCKABLOOD. Just the smallest thing like this amazes me as the filmmakers have clearly put a lot of work into even the smallest of details. The gothic house, tall, overhanging trees and creepy black crow all add to the disturbing feel of an Edgar Allan Poe-style tale. As the short film starts visually, it is narrated in a deep voice (Ben Tillett) speaking in rhyme. For me, this is what binds the short film together and creates some of it’s most haunted moments. The power of words used as a poem or in rhyme is so strong and bold that it has an unnerving quality that canot be replicated. This, coupled with the haunting visuals of an eerie manor house, the burning log fire, huge empty rooms and a grotesque looking, cruel stepmother, create the ingredients for this mini masterpiece.

The stepmother (Sam Metcalf) is a wicked so-and-so who curses her young stepdaughter, Tilly (Holly Jacobson), after lashes with her cane won’t stop her from sucking her thumb. She places a curse upon the innocent child that if she doesn’t stop sucking her thumb, the Suckablood (Robin Berry) will come for her. The make-up used on the stepmother is amazing, bringing the stereotypical wicked step-mother image to life. We see some extra effects a little later with the animal heads on the wall that give an extra fright to the girl and the viewer. The light provided by the fire, the lightening storm and lit candle allows enough darkness to remain so our brain can still revel and fear the hidden mysteries in the dark.

With outstanding performances and detailed production, Suckablood is a true gothic fairytale that will leave you quivering like the little child that you are.

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About Bat 4517 Articles

I love practical effects, stop-motion animation and gore, but most of all I love a good story! I adore B-movies and exploitation films in many of their guises and also have a soft spot for creature features. I review a wide range of media including movies, TV series, books and videogames. I'm a massive fan of author Hunter S. Thompson and I enjoy various genre of videogames with Kingdom Hearts and Harvest Moon two of my all time favs. Currently playing: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Yakuza Zero and Mafia III.