Book of Blood
UK. 2009.
In English.
Directed by John Harrison
Starring Sophie Ward, Jonas Armstrong
One of the most disturbing and
original authors I’ve ever had the pleasure of discovering is Clive Barker. This
twisted maestro, who wrote the stories behind the films Hellraiser, Candyman, Midnight Meat Train, and Book of Blood, possesses a boundlessly depraved imagination. As an
awe-struck fan, I mean that in the best ways, of course. In fact, Hellraiser might be my all-time favorite
movie, certainly if you count by times viewed. When I’m sad, sick, bored, or need
a general pick-me-up, nothing beats the threat of soul-rending pain and suffering
for motivation!
It was therefore with great
excitement that I discovered Book of
Blood. The film brings to cinema the frame story from the eponymous six-volume
collection of short tales by Barker. In it, professor of the paranormal, Mary Florescu*
enlists the aid of her allegedly psychically gifted student Simon McNeal* in
her investigations of a house with a history of ghastly murders. Her intentions
are as unprofessional as his are dishonest, and as their relationship unfolds
in the house, the rift separating our world from the “highways of the dead”
beings to close in dramatic fashion. We’re told the story from Simon’s
perspective after he is caught by a bounty hunter looking to remove his skin,
which becomes uniquely marked by the dead.
As far as horror movies go, Book of Blood is on the less-traumatizing
end. I say a 2/5 on my scare-o-meter. There are a few great jump moments as the
ghosts become increasingly aggressive, and I give it a 3/5 on the gore-o-meter
for some gruesome scenes of ghostly murders. The movie’s production quality and
casting ably carry the story along, and I’d consider re-watching it if I felt
the need for a solid haunting.
Since this movie is based on a
short prologue story in a collection, there isn’t a whole lot of new ground
introduced here. However, I do wholeheartedly recommend giving Books of Blood a read-through if you’re
looking to really screw yourself up. Hey, it worked for me!
Stay Scary, Scarers,
AC
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