Subspecies V: Bloodrise Review from Full Moon Features!

The genius of Charles Band can be found in an interview I did with him back in 2021 (From An Empire to the Moon: A Severed Cinema Interview with Charles Band) and one question where we discussed his love of fantasy horror. Films that are unleashed from his company can always be deemed escapism. Harmless, bloody but not graphic, chillers, and thrillers. In the interview Charles mentioned another entry to his classic Subspecies franchise, which was long overdue.

Subspecies V: Bloodrise is written and directed by Ted Nicolaou, the chap behind the original flicks and a multitude of other colourful and crazy movies, plus starring the actor who made Radu a cult home name, Anders Hove. Subspecies V is actually a prequel, meaning the series could end up bouncing all around time like the Puppet Master movies, but it makes no difference because it’s all about the feeling of video shop glories with Full Moon pics. 

I figured this may be quite a challenging review, I originally mused, as I had only ever watched the first Subspecies, and my Partner in Gore, Willow, had seen none. My fears were empty for this one offers no challenge if you haven’t seen its predecessors. 

Using locations of absolute beauty and imagination around Serbia, Subspecies V is set in the Middle Ages. It begins with the birth of a child — foretold as he who would slay his vampire father. Born of a demon hag. Crusaders rescue the baby, and a demon slaying dagger. The infant is given to the church where the brothers within change the child and make him look more human, thus in adulthood he is part of a sect devoted to slaying monsters. His name is Radu the Fearless, and all is well until one day fate has him and his entourage arrive at the castle of his, so far, his father unknown. 

Their quest is for the Bloodstone, held by his dad, Vladislas, who is of course a powerful elder vampire. He is busy feeding on a nude woman, and afterwards a battle ensues. Sensing something unique about his enemy, Radu is asked his name. The reply brings about a change of heart. “This is not our day!” the elder vampire vanishes. On that actual day, however, Radu is told of his birth, and who his family truly are. Whilst exploring the dungeons and catacombs, he and Marius, his friend and advisor, chance upon a woman and son. Marius is hellbent on killing them both for fear of the vampire infection. Radu is adamant that this is not to happen, instead rescuing both. Then Marius decides to leave, as he believes this will all end badly.

Helena tempts Radu with her flesh to prove herself human, yet in doing so reveals the marks of a vampire. “By some miracle, I’m still human!” Radu shakes his head, “In time your humanity will fade.” He has her drink from the Bloodstone — the blood of saints — to quell the rise of the infection and cravings. “How does it feel to drink the blood of saints?” asks Radu.

“It feels like, mercy… like power! It is your father’s and your birth rite!” Helena’s true face is revealed, and she bites him after making him drink from the stone. She drips her own crimson into his tormented face, so he drinks and turns. Suddenly, Vladislas appears and takes both Helena plus Stefan, leaving Radu to his lonely fate. 

By this time, Willow and I were both gripped by proceedings. Subspecies V: Bloodrise is a throwback, done to perfection, capturing the true essence of the classic gothic blood drinking epics of a long-lost era in films. The sheer magnitude and scope of Subspecies V is awesome and inspiring to all. Budget constraints do not show for Ted uses each and every scene to bring about something new and the darkness is probably its greatest tool here.

Vulnerable and changing, Radu seeks Marius, begging for death. His old friend drives a stake through him, but Radu is reluctantly saved by his demon mother. She is happy to rescue his damned soul, but her motives are to claim the Bloodstone. Radu spends a century being tutored on the black arts by his mother. He accepts what he is yet is tortured by memories of Helena. Finally, he betrays his mother and heads out alone, seeking his past. His journey is long. Along the way he creates two fledgling vampires to accompany him, Jonathan, and Ariel, who are musicians. They are at first reluctant companions but must accept their fates sooner or later. 

I reckon even the most hardcore fans of the originals will not expect how beautiful this entry is. As Willow said, it feels like a more grown-up version of Interview with A Vampire and certainly, under Ted’s creative mind, matches the quality. The climax of course, teases the first film, and possibly any others than could be formed to bridge between. We would welcome many more if they are like Subspecies V. 

The cast are chosen correctly. They all breathe life and feeling into their characters. Anders, as Radu, of course, steals everything for we now witness his gradual decline into evil. There’s also Stasa Nikolic, as Ariel, brilliantly developing your feelings for the newbie vampire (Marko Filipovic as her brother, is spot on also). Denice Duff totally nails Helena, in doing so explaining her character of Michelle from part two onwards. 

Credit importantly needs to go to the film’s make-up and effects folks. There is something so unsettling about creature features set in those times. I think because no one knows what existed and wandered those lands, so anything is possible. The vampires and gore really turn it up a notch for a pure escapism with a runtime of 80 minutes. Hell, even the music just makes this film a lavish production.

AKA: Blood Rise: Subspecies V, Subspecies V: Blood Rise

Directed by: Ted Nicolaou
Written by: Ted Nicolaou
Produced by: Charles Band, Seager Dixon, Miljan Cogic, Vladimir Ilic, Matt Manjourides, Justin A. Martell , Ivana Panic
Cinematography by: Vladimir Ilic
Edited by: Ted Nicolaou
Music by: Sean McBride
Special Effects by: Anders Eriksen, Dave Matherly, Asia Eriksen
Cast: Anders Hove, Denice Duff, Stasa Nikolic, Kevin Spirtas, Peter Arsic, Yulia Graut, Marko Filipovic, Jakov Marjanovic
Year: 2023
Country: USA
Language: English
Colour: Colour
Runtime: 1h 20min

Studio: Charles Band Productions, Red Production
Distributor: Full Moon Features