Without question, the indie horror scene is absolutely thriving. There’s a whole network of filmmakers and actors who work together in order to bring their artistic visions to life, whether they have a budget or not. They encompass both ends of the spectrum as well. Sometimes the films look like a million bucks but only cost a fraction of that, or they look like what they cost. Either way, you have to admire the DIY filmmakers out there trying to realize their passion.
A pair of films landed on my desk that couldn’t be more different but are both produced by Blood Sick Productions and appear to be shot on video: Busted Babies (2024) and Coven of the Black Cube (2024). They’re both unique in their own way and prove you don’t need a massive budget when you have dedication and imagination.
Coven of the Black Cube follows Vi (Morrigan Thompson-Milam) as she clings to a relationship that’s bound to fail. In the meantime, the mysterious Clover (Zoe Angeli) shows up, drawing her into a coven of witches who perform black magic aimed at the evil men in women’s lives. Once Vi gets sucked in, the bodies begin to pile up, and all hell breaks loose.
The acting for this piece is above average, with some really well-developed characters and storylines. There were some awkward pacing moments, but overall, the film really works. The effects are done well, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the ’80s/’90s SOV vibe. It’s directed by Brewce Longo with a screenplay by Josh Schafer, Zoe Angeli, and Longo.
Busted Babies begins as a gooey substance that turns flesh into glass, and the spiraling moments when a group of people starts experiencing it. That’s the best plot summary I could give you, but that’s alright since this is far more experimental in nature. It’s gross, it’s funny, and it delivers more WTF moments than any film in recent memory. Kasper Meltedhair wrote, directed, and stars in this one (also appearing in Coven), and for a debut picture, it’s pretty interesting.
RELATED: ‘Ozone: The Attack of the Redneck Mutants’ (1986) Blu-ray Review: A Pleasant B-Horror Surprise
If you’ve been reading my Visual Vengeance reviews, then both these movies are the modern equivalent of what they are putting out. Both discs include outtakes and behind-the-scenes material as bonus features.
Busted Babies includes a short by Meltedhair, while Coven boasts a commentary track from the writers and DP. I’m not going to lie here, I’m pretty intrigued with Blood Sick Productions, and seeing what they do next should be a trip, much like these two films.
We’re hardworking geeks who love to geek out, but we can’t do it without you! If you enjoyed this article and want to see more like it, please consider tipping our writers. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
