Director – Chad Ferrin (Easter Bunny Kill Kill, Tales from the Crapper)
Starring – Sean Samuels (The Goldbergs, Almost Broadway), Robert Miano (Dungeons and Dragons; Star Trek; Deep Space Nine), and Joseph Pilato (Wishmaster, Day of the Dead)
Release Date – 2016
Rating – 3.5/5
Tagline – “Inspired by actual events”
This is not a great start to my return to horror. After taking a few days off to review some sleazy sexploitation films before checking out We Are the Flesh, which is an erotic thriller at the most, I watched and reviewed The Before Time which was a huge let down. Honestly, the film was boring and difficult to watch without falling asleep. I decided to remedy this by checking out Chad Ferrin’s newest flick, Parasites.
Some of you may recall Ferrin’s slasher Easter Bunny, Kill! Kill! This is one of my favorite modern day slashers and one that I often to recommend to anyone who is looking for some low budget mayhem. Anyway, after receiving the press release for the film I requested a review copy. The day it arrived I threw it in. You don’t wait to watch a Ferrin flick!
**Spoiler Alert**The film follows three college students who find themselves lost in a new truck on the wrong side of town. They quickly find themselves with a flat and see that someone deliberately laid down a board with nails in it to stop traffic. After stopping they are approached by a gang of homeless men and women who want to teach them a lesson. They assault the three men and eventually kill them. They set out to dispose of the bodies but one of the men, Marshal (Samuels), is not actually dead. He is able to get away and starts fleeing through the city looking for help but is unable to find any due to his appearance. The homeless that attacked him set out searching the city over in a deadly game of cat and mouse.**Spoiler Alert**
When I first saw the artwork and original press release for the film I was under the impression this was going to be a throwback to the street justice films of the 80s. I was wrong but that does not mean the film was bad. That is far from the truth. The film was good and one of the better films I have seen this year so far.
The acting in this one is great. The film has some powerhouse performances from Sean Samuels, Robert Miano, and Joseph Pilato. All three absolutely kill it, especially Miano and Pilato. Both give the viewer characters that are larger than life and steal every scene. I feel bad for anyone that had to share a scene with them.
The story for this one is not that original but does still deliver some solid action and suspense. It reminded me of a great mash up of Hobo with a Shotgun and Surviving the Game. The film uses great use of time and has was very well written.
Finally, the film does have several on screen deaths but they are not that bloody or graphic. We get a quick look at a very convincing dead dog and some gun shots but that is about it. The film had plenty of moments to bring the blood and gore but went the other route. Overall, Parasites is a damn good horror film with plenty of action and enjoyable characters. The soundtrack is out of place and lacks the gore but it is still worth the watch.
