Long after Shaun of the Dead made its mark on horror comedy and sales of vinyl records as a zombie defense skyrocketed, many of the same ilk followed. There was a boy and his pet movie Fido, the neglected Pontypool, and, recently, the charming Lisa Frankenstein. Slithering in like an old family argument that you thought was settled comes All You Need is Blood, written and directed by Bucky Le Boeuf and Cooper Roberts, to munch at your heart.
Bucky (Logan Riley Brunner) is a teenage cinephile who aspires to make art that will live beyond his lifespan and inspire people. To that end, he’s working on a project for a local film festival: the catch is that all the features must be horror, and Bucky finds the genre beneath him. However, Bucky finds out that his directorial inspiration, Hans (Ron Guttman), will be at the festival. Now, it’s full speed ahead with his best friend/filmmaking partner, Vish (Neel Sethi), who is deaf and mute.
“…decide to make a zombie flick with the actual undead…”
The prologue shows cavepeople becoming zombies after discovering a meteorite that infects them. Now, that same area is the suburb where Bucky and his family live. Of course, this means that his alcoholic father, Walter (Tom Okeefe), becomes a zombie by encountering that same space goo. The mayhem starts when Bucky and Vish discover Walter’s transformation and decide to make a zombie flick with the actual undead after getting some sage advice on chicken salad from Bucky’s mother’s urn. But June (Emma Chasse), an actress who is very camera shy, gets wise to what’s happening real quick, while the washed-up lead actress, Vivian (Mena Suvari), believes Bucky’s dad is very method. A local constable (Eddie Griffin) is dispatched to investigate Walter not coming to work and pontificates a lot about excrement in life. Can Bucky and Vish create their arthouse horror with human stories in peace, or are blood and brain munching the order of the day?
The filmmakers keep All You Need is Blood flowing with literal buckets of blood, shootings, and a burgeoning romance between Emma and Bucky. The repartee of the witty screenplay is delivered at a clipped pace reminiscent of 1940s comedies. The blood and humor are mixed with sentimental VHS footage of Bucky’s family, which adds a sense of loss and heart. But what makes the movie stand out is Vishi’s mother (Nandita Shenoy). She comes to get her son after he has not been home for days, only to be attacked herself. While an overall quick moment, it is a reminder that the world of horror is not all Caucasian; it encompasses many people of color and backgrounds. Shenoy sells her character’s determination to get son to the wedding well and makes the most of the dramatic irony at play.
All You Need is Blood brings the funny but adds a dash of seriousness, making this more than just a farce. The cast all deliver on the horror, humor, and drama fronts quite well. Roberts and Le Boeuf include lots of spraying blood, action, and wisecracking dialogue, making this reminiscent of the infamous American Guinea Pig series. This is an excellent motion picture to munch down on popcorn while watching.
"…an excellent motion picture to munch down on popcorn while watching."
