Bethany Anne Lind absolutely kills it (literally, her character committing murder) in Matthew Pope’s latest thriller Blood on Her Name. The film may not be as complex as its filmmaker clearly intended it to be. It functions perfectly fine as an atmospheric bit of pulp fiction with the lead imbuing it with a much-needed emotional resonance. In other words, it doesn’t quite draw blood, but you’ll surely remember her name.
“Within seconds, we see Leigh in her garage, having just bludgeoned a man to death.”
And her name is Leigh Tiller, mother of delinquent Ryan (Jared Ivers), daughter of emotionally abusive Sheriff Richard (Will Patton), ex-wife of a hoodlum. Within seconds, we see Leigh in her garage, having just bludgeoned a man to death. She’s about to dial 911 but slides the garage door shut instead. She then methodically – albeit in a state of muted panic – cleans up the mess. Before she disposes of the wrapped-up body in a nearby lake, a cell-phone rings in its pocket – a message from the victim’s son.
This sends Leigh on a guilt-ridden downward spiral, wherein she returns the body to its family. A lost necklace acts as a catalyst to Leigh’s already rapidly-escalading anxiety. Both her son and dad get involved, along with sort-of boyfriend Rey (Jimmy Gonzalez), and the victim’s wife Dani (Elisabeth Rohm) and son Travis (Jack Andrews). The slightly-overblown finale dutifully serves poetic justice.
"…it doesn’t quite draw blood, but you’ll sure remember her name"
I thought the premise was good; the movie itself was choppy, confusing & all over the place.
Disappointing; glad I didn’t pay to see this film.
I do think the young actor playing her son has potential.