This movie was screened at Panic Fest.
Sound engineer Isla (Sharnee Tones) is forced to confront her traumatic past when she and her girlfriend’s (Shanay De Marco) grunge band are trapped inside a recording studio in “Bliss of Evil,” a bloody slasher film from co-writer and director Josh Morris. Based on a true crime that occurred in Brisbane, Australia in the late 90s, this indie suspense thriller features all the fundamentals of the genre, but its female-centered story and likable actors set it apart from the rest.
The premise is reminiscent of last year’s “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies,” where a group of friends is trapped in a claustrophobic setting while a killer may be among them. Distrust naturally builds, everyone is suspicious, and those left standing naturally become suspects. It’s a classic killer thriller where brutally murdered bodies are discovered, somebody inside the recording studio is responsible, and there is no way out.
Morris tells his story (which was co-written by Corrie Hinschen) from different perspectives. First we see what happened from the viewpoint of the band members and later, a title card flashes the words “earlier that night.” That’s when we are able to see what happened from the killer’s standpoint, and how the exterior doors to the studio became locked with chains.
The film works well because the characters and actors are so likable. It’s easy to care about them, especially because the film’s singular setting lends a sense of claustrophobia that translates well to the audience. The story is bloody and violent, but it’s exciting to see the survivors fight back and try to kill their tormentor as they struggle to survive the night.
This isn’t just a run-of-the-mill slasher story, however. The real horror is found when Isla, who has been haunted by vivid nightmares, is forced to face her darkest fears head-on. The film features a disturbing and audibly graphic depiction of sexual assault that is very upsetting, but despite feeling a little gratuitous, it lends a deeper significance to the overall narrative.
“Bliss of Evil” has its stagnant moments and a startlingly abrupt ending, but fans of slasher thrillers will find enough here to enjoy.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 