Bloody Ballet

Bloody Ballet is a horror thriller film released in 2018, directed by Brett Mullen with a screenplay by Matt Cloude. The movie has an ensemble cast including Caroline Williams, Debbie Rochon, and Katie Carpenter. The film premiered at the Portland Horror Film Festival in 2018 and was received positively.

Clare (Katie Carpenter) dreams of being a ballerina and auditions for a role in an experimental avant-garde ballet. She gets the part but soon realizes that the dance troupe is harboring a dark secret. As the dancers prepare for their big performance, mysterious deaths begin to occur, and the survivors are left wondering who or what is behind it.

The story is set inside an eerie old theatre where the entire dance troupe practices their mysterious and macabre routine. The building itself adds to the atmosphere of the film, as it is dark and foreboding. Shadows are seen in every corner, and it almost seems like the theatre is alive with its own secrets. The ballet performances themselves are skillfully choreographed and lend an eerie tone to the movie.

The lead character, Clare, is innocent and driven, with a yearning to become a prima ballerina. Her determination is admirable, but her willingness to overlook the obvious danger is somewhat frustrating. Carpenter's portrayal is likable and accomplished, which makes her character genuinely relatable. The supporting cast consists of seasoned performers, including Caroline Williams and Debbie Rochon.

Caroline Williams plays Madame LaMort, the eccentric ballet teacher in charge of the dance troupe. She is cold, mysterious, but undoubtedly talented. Williams possesses a magnetic quality on screen, and her character is intriguing, even though only brief glimpses of her past are revealed.

Debbie Rochon plays the enigmatic and beautiful Oksana, the prima ballerina of the theatre. Although only seen in a few key scenes, Rochon effortlessly captures the attention of the audience. Her character is beautiful, charming, and there is something mysterious about her that intrigues the other dancers, and the viewers alike.

The plot moves at a brisk pace, with each dance performance bringing the mystery closer to a resolution. The balance of suspense and horror is well executed, and the mix of the two genres is appealing. The creative murders keep the audience guessing and genuinely have a scare factor that lands well.

The production value of Bloody Ballet is impressive, with the lighting and cinematography adding to the dark and suspenseful tone of the movie. The visual and practical effects, including the gore and blood splatter scenes, are of high quality and contribute to the overall eerie atmosphere.

One of the few criticisms of Bloody Ballet is that the ending is slightly anticlimactic. The final scene takes nothing away from the tension-building that came before, but it leaves room for interpretation, which may not be satisfying for all viewers. However, many fans of the horror and thriller genre will appreciate the movie's unexpected conclusion.

In conclusion, Bloody Ballet is an entertaining and well-crafted horror-thriller that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Brett Mullen's direction combined with Matt Clouder's script and an eye-catching ensemble cast makes for a successful attempt at bringing new blood to the ballet horror subgenre. Bloody Ballet is a worthy addition to the horror/thriller genre, and deserves a watch by anyone looking for a creepy ballet tale.