Bloody Bridget is a dark comedy written and directed by Richard Elfman. It features vivid sets and zany effects reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. While B-horror films like this will never win an Academy Award (which is a shame), they often go big, hoping to entertain a niche audience. So, does Bloody Bridget succeed in doing just that? You bet.
Bridget O’Brian (Anastasia Elfman) is a burlesque dancer who has been “screwed, abused, and f***ed over” throughout her life. She supports a cheating deadbeat, works for an abusive boss, and is assaulted after being wrongfully imprisoned. But just as death seems imminent, fate intervenes in the form of Baron Samedi, Maman Brigitte’s legendary husband.
Bridget is granted a new life as Maman Brigitte, a guardian of women who feasts on the hearts of evil men everywhere. Or at least around the San Fernando Valley. As Bridget accepts her fate, she fights to live her own life while dealing with an unwanted, otherworldly husband.
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Anastasia Elfman is a total joy in the role. She has terrific comedic timing and is a daring performer. A solid cast supports Elfman, including Marcos Mateo Ochoa, Jean Charles, Rick Howland, Evan Eckenrode, Denise Milfort, and Alejandro Patiño. They have good chemistry and appear to have had a great time on set, which translates to the viewers. There is even a musical scene with catchy tunes that will leave viewers doubled over with laughter.
When she goes for the kill, Bridget and her victim are suddenly transported to a hellish dimension, which is cheesy yet entertaining. While it is light on horror, there are some pretty graphic scenes in which our hero pulls the beating hearts out of her victims. This does not always happen quickly, showing the man as he slowly and painfully expires.
Richard Elfman assembled an incredible amount of talent behind the scenes as well. Howard Wexler, a cinematographer with decades of experience in low-budget cult films, including numerous Full Moon titles, complemented Elfman’s directing style. The legendary Danny Elfman handled the soundtrack, kicking the shenanigans off with Oingo Boingo’s “Dead Man’s Party.” He is joined by composer Ego Plum, who has recently worked on SpongeBob SquarePants and its spin-off shows.
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I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that fan-favorite filmmaker Brian Yuzna is an associate producer. He has directed several fantastically weird horror films, including Society (1989), Bride of Re-Animator (1990), Silent Night, Deadly Night 4 (1990), Return of the Living Dead III (1993), and The Dentist (1996) and fits right in with this cast and crew.
Like every B-movie, Bloody Bridget will not appeal to all audiences. However, for those who appreciate camp, gore, and kookie characters, this is for you. And if you enjoyed Maman Brigitte as much as I did, you will be happy to know a sequel is in the works.
