If you’re looking for a bloody good time, Blood Vessel may be the experience for you. Falling into the category of a high budget B-Movie vampire flick, its fun fest of gore, Romanian vampires known as Strigoi and World War 2 survivors. A few likeable characters add to the all traditional effects for a blast of an adventure. Everything about it is enjoyable from some characters getting what they deserve to others adding a little comedic value all while adding to the overall tone of the story and events that are unraveling.
Blood Vessel is the story about survivors from a hospital ship that was destroyed during World War 2 and are stranded at sea when they come across a Nazi ghost ship. Once aboard they discover the ship appears to be completely empty. While exploring they find signs of blood and gore along with evidence that the ship was used by the Occult division of the Nazi’s. No major actors that were really recognizable other than Alyssa Sutherland that you may be familiar with from her work on Vikings as she plays one of the main characters here as Jane Prescott. Overall though Alex Cooke really stood out as his character, Alexander Teplov, really had the best overall reactions and comments as a Russian Sniper.
The Strigoi really stood out from normal Hollywood vampires. There are no sparkles here where they are concerned. Solid make up and facial prosthetics made for an excellent movie monster design. If you aren’t familiar with the term or mythology of the creature, Strigoi are a living vampire based on Romania mythology. The abilities they posses vary depending on what you read. These various powers play out different as the movie progresses. Their portrayal here presents in a couple forms with different appearances. All just as deadly in their own manner with the coolest design of which being the master of the bunch.
Overall you have a blast of an action horror flick. Plenty of blood and gore to sooth the most twisted viewers weird obsessions. A solid story that actually falls in line with some of the weird stuff the Occult division of Hitler’s 3rd Reich was into and researching. At no point did it fail to be an entertaining jaunt through a ghost ship full of undead and plenty of corn starch blood to bring it all together. Horror on the high seas only has but so many ways it can be done but I think this one carves out its own path that might bring it the same cult love that Ghost Ship brought to itself for a lot of the same reasons. If you enjoy your supernatural action mixed with a touch of alternate history, then Blood Vessel will definitely hit the spot for you. I highly recommend this as one of the better movies I have watched in a while. Check it out with friends and giant bowl of popcorn because it is a ton of fun from start to finish.
If you or someone you know is reading this right now and you are struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message or tweet to us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!
Victims and Villains is written Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey (and produced by) and more. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Bl99d Vessel is property of Shudder. We do not own nor claim any rights. Blood Vessel is now streaming exclusively on Shudder.
You can now support us on Patreon. Help us get mental health resources into schools and get exclusive content at the same time. Click here to join today!