Review by Chris Rennirt

Blood on the Bleachers, the latest film from director Chase Dudley, is a back-to-basics, old-school slasher, with all the best of the 90s…and even some of the 80s! A knife-wielding psycho in a mask, red herrings to keep us thinking, copious high-school victim fodder, and practical effects make this one worth a watch…and a rewatch. While reminiscent of Scream (1990), as homage to retro classics, Blood on the Bleachers (written by Chase Dudley, Adriane Miller, Bob Gunner, and Amy Philibert) is anything but a stock throwback to the genre. With its unique story, bold visual style, and cast of accomplished actors, it succeeds at being exactly what it aspires to be—a bloody good time!

What’s it all about? Students in a forensic psychology class at Centennial High School have an assignment that could be the last they ever have—to profile and identify a masked killer responsible for murders of students and staff that happened at another high school, over the previous two years. In classic whodunit style, it all leads to death and more death, with ever-increasing suspense, paranoia and carnage! Along with it all is an intriguing mystery that deepens with every cut of the killer’s blade.

Speaking of visual style, Blood on the Bleachers has it. Kill scenes are graphic, dripping (often flowing) with blood, never shying away from expected fan service. A particular kill–or hunt for a kill–on a football field is stretched to nail-biting extent, with cinematography captivating viewers as well as the victim. Camera angles and focus are where they need to be, up close often, showing exactly where the knife cuts! On-camera kills with copious gore add gratuities from the 80s, as a bonus. Also great is a near balance of easy and difficult kills, making not everyone a sitting duck for the knife. Smart victims transcend tropes, prolong suspense and add tension, making outcomes far from certain—something many films fail to include in the 80s, 90s or otherwise. Speaking of tropes, those we see are undoubtedly, in true Scream style there on purpose as more homage.

Another asset for the film’s success is its cast of more-than-capable actors in the roles that matter. The main character and protagonist is played by the multi award-winning actress Arianna Harris. Harris’ authentic performance as Hannah keeps the movie grounded in the real world with a character that’s relatable; persistent to find the killer, regardless of the consequences, she drives the story forward with believable motives and intelligent ideas. Also most effective is Harris’ ability to show genuine emotions, not crocodile tears forced for the film. With Harris, there’s nothing but the real deal!

Aside from Arianna Harris, the list of competent cast continues! Veteran actress Lisa Wilcox (A Nightmare on Elm Street, and over a 100 other credits!) gives a standout performance as Ben’s mentally-deranged “Mama,” even approaching a Piper Laurie moment in her limited time on screen. Ka’ssee Rhe’anne plays Haley–the witty, co-ed antagonist, somehow both charming and annoying, with biting, often unwelcome quips. Rhe’anne’s well-acted sarcasm provides effective comic relief, without undercutting the horror; instead, she adds a contrast that emphasizes the two extremes. Houston Buckley (as Ben) is convincing as a character on the verge of insanity—something never easy to pull off. Leonard Peterson III adds another powerful performance as Brandon, delivering 100% as the jealous, wannabee boyfriend of Hannah. Holly Anspaugh (as Christine) plays Hannah’s adoptive mother of sorts, and one of the movie’s few voices of reason. Anspaugh delivers an essential, seasoned performance, as she interacts with Hannah, supporting their relationship’s impact in the story, with visible on-screen chemistry. Movies that can’t maintain emotional integrity required fall apart fast. Arianna Harris delivers the mountain-sized chunk of integrity. However, in Blood on the Bleachers, exceptional expression of emotions from many characters is required to support the mountain of Arianna Harris! With the performances of  Lisa Wilcox, Houston Buckley, Leonard Peterson III and the rest, “the mountain” is well grounded!

And I must devote a separate paragraph to Chloe Lutz. Being a lover of slasher films, Lutz (as Kimberly) adds the uncommon, smart victim I mentioned earlier, as well as a standout performance as Hannah’s best friend. With endearing, bubbling personality impossible to miss, Lutz makes Kimberly more than the usual victim fodder. While not a major character, Lutz’s performance gives her more attention than she was probably meant to have…wonderfully so! Another such accolade goes to Leonoro Scelfo (Scream, 1990). Scelfo delivers a scene-stealing performance as Angela Banks in the movie’s opening. With a greater role, with her personality exuding such humor (and energy), Scelfo could have added even more to Blood on the Bleachers. But, at least she added a great beginning! Speaking of great beginnings, Jacob Richard (as Officer Don) adds another memorable performance, not once but twice, as an overzealous horndog and should-be security guy looking for a fast date. Back to Scelfo, I laughed out loud as she snapped answers at Don, before he even finished his questions!

And how could I not mention the appearance of actress, model, director and producer Lien Mya Nguyen Oost, a Space Jockey Reviews utra-favorite! Gracing the cover of Fashion magazine, held by Christine (Holly Anspaugh), Mya is well-noticed and captivating, even in a seconds-long cameo photo! Of course! And the name (of another person) on the magazine’s address label was an Easter Egg find I truly enjoyed! Clever, indeed!

A final accolade must be included for Director Chase Dudley’s wife, Samantha Dudley. As I watched the credits roll, her name appeared numerous times for the many crucial roles she had in producing the movie: producer, production manager, executive in charge of production, second unit and assistant director, art-department set designer, and probably more I missed! Too often, people with these jobs get overlooked in reviews, with only actors and the usual others getting all the credit. However, since I read all the credits for the movies I watch, I could not fail to notice, and be struck by, Samantha’s incredible contributions, worthy of at least a dedicated paragraph in this review.

A good question for any critique of a whodunit slasher is “How easy (or difficult) is it to identify the killer?” Here, I’ll just say that it isn’t easy (just as it should be). While there are numerous suspects, none are ever obvious to the point of revealing too much, too soon. In Blood on the Bleachers, even obvious suspects never seem too obvious, exactly because they are so obvious—by plan rather than coincidence, I’m sure. And to avoid a spoiler, I’ll leave it at that.

Could anything be better? Yes! Blood on the Bleachers, in my opinion, is too long. A running time of over two hours pushes the limits for any slasher film, with this one being no exception. Certain scenes could have been shortened or excised completely, without removing anything of value from the plot. (I remember stopping and thinking this more than once.) Although eye candy for gorehounds, some victims come from nowhere, just for the kills. Additionally, a number of dialogue scenes were too long or unnecessary. Cutting or shortening these would make a leaner, better-focused, better-paced film, with viewers thinking more about the movie’s story than its excess content. There is also, in my opinion, too much time between the opening kills and those that follow; the setup preceding additional murders, particularly the classroom scene, could have been shorter. However, on the plus side, once the kills begin, their frequency and energy compensate with a vengeance…literally!

My advice for a fix is simple. Keep the kills; add even more, if you like. The bloody-good sight of a slasher’s knife is always welcome! (It’s always hard to recommend removing the stuff I love.) Just write the victims into the story in a way that makes sense and makes them relevant. Even if they add length to the movie, they will have a purpose, eliminating at least one point of valid criticism. The janitors in the gym and the guy I’ll just call “Sinatra” are a few that come to mind. And while the cast is mostly, as mentioned earlier, more than capable and outstanding, there are isolated moments of questionable acting from minor, sometimes unnecessary characters that distract and hurt the film.

In the end, in a possible deeper level of the film’s intent (if not my own personal analysis), is exploring what makes a person crazy enough to be a killer or “slasher.” As Hannah (Arianna Harris) says in the movie, “What do you think makes a person a killer?” (A killer like the one in the movie, of course.) If such a killer’s motives are identified by the “normal” mind, are they always what is expected or understood? Can a possible lower threshold for even the annoyances of life–things the mentally healthy cope with–be cause enough for killing? Is it always the most overtly, most objectively crazy people around us who do the worst of things, sometimes even becoming a “killer”? Of course not! Red herrings live among us every day, as real people, just as they live in the fiction we watch! Am I saying Blood on the Bleachers is high-brow horror with haute couture themes and deeper meaning? Am I exploring the human mind and why it aspires, sometimes, to not just kill, but be a “slasher” too? Maybe, maybe not…but sometimes, Hell yes!

As with any good slasher, there are also questions not so deep or deep at all? What could commit the movie’s maniac to such sadism, such slicing of the flesh, with such energy and force? Is it revenge, jealousy, unrequited love, or something else? To quote a line from the poster of a personal favorite (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), “Who will survive and what will be left of them?” Will there be a final girl, a final guy, a final couple, and perhaps a final slasher to survive, haunting the scenes of a sequel–like a Laurie Strode and a Michael Myers from Halloween? What’s the story behind the guy in the Sinatra suit–the underrated, best teacher in the school who gets a cameo in the film? AND, where did the killer get such a damned cool mask? I want one!

In conclusion, director Chase Dudley and all involved have crafted a welcome, blood-soaked entry in the library of 90s-inspired slasher throwbacks. Fans of practical effects, copious gore (and guts too) will find their sweet tooth well filled here. Fans of good mysteries will find more. Whether a copycat killer or the real deal, revenge here is served cold, sharp and bloody! For a nostalgic trip back to the good old days of horror, butter the popcorn, pour the drinks, and by all means…Cut to the Chase with Blood on the Bleachers!

Don’t miss the bonus screenshots below, after the trailer!

Chris Rennirt is a movie critic and writer in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as editor in chief at Space Jockey Reviews. He has been a judge at many film festivals, including Macabre Faire Film Festival and Crimson Screen Film Fest, and he attends horror and sci-fi conventions often. Chris’ movie reviews, articles, and interviews appear in Effective Magazine and are published regularly on Space Jockey Reviews.