True Crime is a proven hit in all forms of media. But what happens when true crime hits back? That’s the central premise of The Blade Cuts Deeper, a new thriller out of the UK from director, Gene Dolders.
Around my home, my wife is a connoisseur of what I’ve come to refer to as “British Murder Shows”. Having never been to England myself, as far as I know the residents of Great Britain all live in tiny villages where the citizenry are involved in quaint murder plots on a weekly basis. What I’m saying is, when I hear an English accent, death is the first thing that comes to mind. However most of those programs show the cozier side of homicide, while The Blade Cuts Deeper goes for the gore.
Synopsis: Many people want their five minutes of fame but for some, it comes at the ultimate price – their life!’ Meet John Abbott, narcissistic host of infamous real-crime show Lights, Camera, KILL. Known for its lurid re-enactments of the darkest of trespasses, it has made him rich by exploiting pain and suffering. Yet while Abbott basks shamelessly in the limelight, one victim has seen enough. Broken by his loss, the man has a burning thirst for revenge – and now he wants to make Abbott bleed.
The premise of The Blade Cuts Deeper taking place in and around the world of British TV production is unique setting for suspense. The film opens with an episode of the series Lights, Camera, KILL profiling a serial killer name The Widowmaker who filmed the deaths of his victims. Initially I wasn’t sure if the entire film would be a series of low-budget reenactments of the killer’s crimes, but luckily these fears dissipated as the real story began.
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Though he is positioned as an ill-tempered tyrant, John Tueart’s character of John Abbott is the savior of the film as the man you love to hate. Petty and cruel, Abbott’s ruthless pursuit of success by harassing his production crew is by far the most entertaining and energetic element of the film. He is so over the top in his portrayal of show runner who feels he is surrounded by idiots, that one can’t help but crack a smile as they anticipate his impending demise.
As for the killer, he’s much more shy. Dolders keeps the murderer in the dark, only revealing pieces of the anatomy in close-ups. Whether it’s a grimacing mouth, a gloved hand or leather-clad torso, there’s not much to know about the bringer of doom as he stalks his prey, least of all his identity. One can assume its a copycat fan of The Widowmaker, but the true motivation is kept hidden in the shadows as the blood flows, until the final moments.
To be fair, the film relies more on suspense than splatter. We spend a lot of time with the killer’s silent preparations and plodding pursuit of his intended victims before the final blows are struck. The build-up is always paid off however, as the members of the Lights, Camera, KILL crew are dispatched in truly gruesome ways. Not looking to be deemed clever or ironic, this killer is focused solely on brutality. In particular, the final kill of the film is quite shocking in its bluntness.
The makeup effects support the reality of the stylish filmmaking and its moody lighting. The audience is unable to see the seams as the victims are attacked and the crimson bodily fluids flow, adding even more to the sense of uneasiness around the acts of violence. This is especially true of the first extreme kill witnessed on screen, which left my jaw on the floor. You keep expecting the camera to pan away, instead it holds for maximum impact, lingering on the psychotic scene.
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While the film attempts to create a sense of dread throughout, it’s a bit lackadaisical in execution. Many scenes feel overlong or unnecessary, which slows down any sense of excitement over the killer’s deadly pursuit of vengeance. So while the kills are definitely the highlight of the film, the path to them might feel like a bit of a slog for film fans accustomed to more frenetic editing styles that produce energy through the filmmaking.
If you’re looking for something different in your slasher fare, The Blade Cuts Deeper will certainly surprise you with its twists and unrelenting violence, you just may have to wait a bit longer than expected for the moments of maiming to leave their mark. The film doesn’t hit too hard on the themes of irresponsibility of selling violence to the public, choosing instead to get right to the point. The point of a gleaming, puncturing blade that is.
The Blade Cuts Deeper is available now on DVD and digital on Amazon and other online services.
