Blood River

The winner of several awards, this tense thriller will have you at the edge of your seat. Directed by Adam Mason, Blood River recalls the unnerving atmosphere of films like ‘The Hitcher’, ‘Dust Devil’ and ‘Kalifornia’.

When newlywed couple Clark (Ian Duncan) and Summer (Tess Panzer) are on their way to visit Summer’s parents, things are not off to a good start. First, a blown-out tyre causes a near fatal car crash. To make matters worse, it happens in the middle of the Nevada desert and – realizing that there is no spare tyre in the trunk – the couple are forced to walk to the nearest town, Blood River, in the hope of finding help. Instead, they find a long deserted ghost town. With Summer pregnant and Clark injured, the situation can hardly get worse… but it does. Suddenly and out of nowhere, a mysterious drifter appears and introduces himself as Joseph (Andrew Howard), claiming that his car ran out of petrol and left him stranded on the highway.

While Summer sees Joseph as someone who can lead them out of Blood River and back to civilization, Clark is altogether not sure about Joseph’s motives. His vague answers and seemingly odd behaviour only increase Clark’s distrust in the potential rescuer. However, put under pressure by his wife, he agrees to walk with Joseph to the nearest town to seek help. While Summer stays behind due to her fragile condition, the two men not only embark on a journey through the desert but also on a series of twisted mind games. Soon, Clark is forced to make a terrible discovery that leaves Summer vulnerable to Joseph’s sinister and dubious actions.

Blood River is a trip into the darkest corners of the human psyche and a film that allows for the necessary built-up in tension and terror – not an easy task given that all is held together by only three characters. Indeed, they all throw terrific performances, but in particular it is A. Howard’s ‘Joseph’ who’ll send shivers down your spine!