Review of Stake Land (2010) by Mihai D — 12 Jul 2012

At the beginning of an unexplained, global vampire pandemic, teenager Martin sees his family slaughtered but is rescued by a mysterious hunter calling himself "Mister". Together they join with a small band of other survivors and head for Canada - renamed "New Eden", trying to evade not only vampires but Christian fundamentalist group The Brotherhood.

What Stake Land lacks in star power and budget - the biggest name here is Top Gun's Kelly McGillis - it makes up for in tense, inventive set pieces and an unrelentingly oppressive atmosphere established in a harrowing opening scene. It's post-apocalyptic US setting is similar in tone to The Road, but there are also elements of The Walking Dead (minus the soap opera), Zombieland (minus the gags) and Red State. It's arguably bleaker than any of them, though - a popcorn vampire actioner this is not.