Review of Blood Sucking Freaks (1976) by Jose M — 28 Dec 2013

If you are looking for a depressing film for the depressing holidays, may I suggest Joel M. Reed's Bloodsucking Freaks? This is seriously one sadistic grandeur art. I was interested and never bored watching the film even though it was way too much.

I take it the director was going after black comedy and horror, but instead came up with a freak show. Seamus O'Brien stars as Sardu, a performer of some kind, and with a dwarf assistant, they kidnaps, mutilate, humiliate, and torture women.

When he is heckled by a critic, he resolves in kidnapping him and a famous ballerina to stage his greatest work. This B-cheapie isn't quite entertaining and highly disturbing enough to fill anyone's mouth with vomit.

Not that I vomit. Mr. Reed created a unique disturbing picture with a score to back it, and I give it a lot of credit for that. However, anyone that is normal will be flat out offended by this freak show and I'm going with them when it comes to the rating.

I'm pretty sure Mr. Reed would feel complimented.