Directed by first-timer Lawrence Jacomelli and written by Jacomelli, George Kelly, and Victoria Hinks Taylor, Blood Star follows Bobbi (Britni Camacho) as she drives down a lonely desert road. The nursing student is heading back home, to her significant other, Rhett (Jonny Denero), much to the chagrin of her sister, Anna (Emily Pineda). See, Bobbi fled after Rhett hit her simply for talking to another man, though the young adult excuses this because he was drunk,
But Bobbi ends up with much bigger problems than her relationship. She stops for gas in a small, nothing town ruled over by an overbearing sheriff named Bilstein (John Schwab). It is not just that the sheriff doesn’t like strangers; Bilstein shoots out Bobbi’s brake light and tire and begins hunting her throughout the desert. Why is he doing this? Can Bobbi get to a safe place when there’s nothing around?
Blood Star is a taut and tense ride, but it has one issue. Bobbi returns to the gas station after the sheriff’s initial attempt to extort her. The attendant, who seems aloof at first, warns her about Bilstein’s dubious track record of messing with strangers. The attendant also informs her that he is the only lawman from her to the border. Why then does Bobbi pull over after the sheriff’s car starts flashing its lights at her? It is a decision that just makes the lead seem stupid, which is odd because she’s decently cunning and intelligent throughout the 90-minute runtime aside from here. It also serves little purpose, as Bobbi could wind up at the diner after the first encounter, and nothing would change story-wise.
“…Bilstein shoots out Bobbi’s brake light and tire and begins hunting her…”
With that being said, Jacomelli knows exactly how to stage a scene to be thrilling. A moment with a sniper rifle and a car intercut together builds tension in just the right way. The scene wherein a trucker stops to help hits some unexpected places. In fact, the plot never takes the easy way out. The gas station attendant could’ve been in on it with the sheriff and isn’t. A lovely scene between newfound friend Amy (Sydney Brumfield) and Bobbi has a shocking conclusion. At every point, the screenwriters find ways to surprise the audience in the best possible way.
It certainly helps that Camacho is great. She’s scared yet tough, resilient yet vulnerable, angry yet easy to like. Schwab is terrifying and creepy throughout. All watching will believe he’s a truly disturbed and unhinged man who just likes toying with his potential victims. The two play off each other well and sell the increasing dangers of the situation perfectly.
Blood Star has one odd scene that absolutely pulls audiences out of the film. But everything else is top-tier stuff. The acting, the direction, the characters (including minor roles), and evermore tense scenarios are all executed to be fully immersive and engaging. For a debut film, Jacomelli proves he is a talent to watch.
For more information about Blood Star, visit the Beast Films site.
"…Jacomelli knows exactly how to stage a scene to be thrilling."
