When youngsters start disappearing from all-night raves, Detective Hank Holten gets put on the case but becomes unhinged after learning the grisly truth: that vampires are using the parties as a feeding ground. Such is the premise for Vampires: Out for Blood released in 2004. This movie stars Kevin Dillon, Vanessa Angel, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Ismail Kanater, Jim Ortieb and Lance Henriksen.
We open in a prison/psychic ward. Mr. Hank Holten has been accused of murder and a doctor has come to evaluate his mental state. It turns out that Hank Holten is a former police detective…one with a temper and alcoholic to boot.
After a narrow escape from being suspended and swearing to stay off booze and stalking his ex-wife, Susan Hastings, Hank is given a case to review. The case involves a missing college student who has gone missing after attending a rave.
Hank goes to a local rave and after downing a few beers, sees his missing college student, Layla Stimons. Layla takes Hank to a private orgy party where there are dozens of people doing whatever they feel like. Layla tries to seduce Hank but Hank is more observant and sees some change into vampires – even Layla.
Hank tries to fight back against Layla by drawing his weapon and shooting several of the vampire, but the master vampire seizes him and bites his neck. When Hank tries to tell the police captain, John Billings, the captain doesn’t believe story and suspends him from the force.
That night Hank goes back to the building where the orgy party was held hoping to find evidence. What he finds is Layla. She tells Hank that he’s becoming one of them…a vampire.
Hank goes to his ex-wife, Susan, for help. At first she doesn’t believe him but after seeing his eyes change color and his reflection disappearing, she changes her mind. Can Hank find a way to save himself, his ex and convince the doctor he’s not crazy?
Let’s not kid ourselves here…this was no Twilight movie. Vampires: Out for Blood has a gritty, almost grind house feel to it…remember I say almost. Told as a flashback, this movie mixes crime drama with horror (dare I say crime horror).
I think what I like most about this movie is that it didn’t try to be something it wasn’t. The plot and storyline called out VAMPIRES from the beginning and that’s what this movie was about – vampires.
I’d give Vampires: Out for Blood 3 out of 5 bloody stumps. While I was entertained with the movie, I felt the movie like that spark to make it a truly good vampire movie…maybe a sense of danger. While there was some, it wasn’t quite enough. However I was quite amused with the ending, nice twist.
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