Movie

Blood Widow (2014)

When discussing teen slashers, the iconic villains that spring to mind are Jason Vorhees from the Friday the 13th series and Michael Myers from Halloween. Female slashers of this mould – the silent, mass-murdering type – are rare. Many horror films with a villainess opt for a psychological, supernatural, or jealous psycho archetype. The low-budget slasher Blood Widow, and its title character, are a refreshing change.

The movie has few locations, with the entirety taking place in two houses and their surroundings. And the level of acting… best not to mention that. However, the gore effects are better than expected and the kills bloody. The pace is excellent, and other than character development that goes nowhere, there is very little filler material. Most scenes are stalk or slash (or a mix of both), with some backstory interludes. Like Jason and Michael, the masked killer prefers murder to explanatory monologues.

The movie should suit horror fans, provided they can overlook its shortcomings.

Villainess

The Blood Widow (Gabrielle Ann Henry)

All credit to the filmmakers for choosing a classic slasher-style outfit. The villainess looks the part in her studded leather outfit and white face mask. Gabrielle Ann Henry plays the Blood Widow, but we only see part of her face when the mask is damaged in the final sequence. Which makes her a terrifying foe – a purely evil, emotionless killer who slices her way through hapless teenagers.

She racks up plenty of victims, starting with a random photographer who wanders into an empty house (as you do) and meets a sticky end in the psycho’s basement. Then teenage couple Hugh and Laurie purchase a property next door. When their friends visit for a social gathering, you can predict the outcome.

Next to die are two partying teens and dumb redhead Harmony, who thinks it a good idea to meditate in candlelight in the creepy house. She gets gutted because of her stupidity, then the villainess goes on the offensive and slaughters the rest of the cast. This includes the final girl (!) who’s crazy enough to return for payback after knocking the psycho out.

Exposition is provided when Laurie searches the empty property. We learn through photographs and a diary that the Blood Widow’s real name is Tiffany, and she was abused as a child. Why is that always the reason? Weird dolls and masks lying tell us she’s a very disturbed young lady.

It seems the producers intended a Blood Widow franchise, and there was a movie listed on IMDb called Blood Widow Lives. Sadly, this never materialised, though an improved sequel with such an iconic female slasher would have been welcome.

Honourable Mentions: Masked Slashers

Coda (1987) – Dr Leslie Steiner (Arna-Maria Winchester)

Also known as Symphony of Evil, this Australian slasher is let down by its slow-burning opening, but things get good in the last hour. If Blood Widow had a female Jason Vorhees, then the villainess in Coda does her best Michael Myers impression, stalking women in a white face mask.

The murderess targets students, though her motive is never explained. There is an attempt at a summary in the closing scene, but the reasoning ultimately boils down to “she was crazy”. Obviously! The villainess’ reveal is telegraphed, with only one major character as a credible suspect. At least there was no out of left field reveal.

Another issue is the killer seems to have problems… well, killing people. Leslie requires multiple attempts to murder her victims. Notably, she strangles one woman and drowns her in a lake, then gives up and leaves her alive! Well, at least the psycho’s mask is cool.

Night School (1981) – Eleanor Adjai (Rachel Ward)

A golden oldie (for slasher fans), also known as Terror Eyes, and now available in restored high definition. The killer’s black motorcycle leathers and dark-visored crash helmet won’t fool seasoned viewers, but there’s still a fantastic unmasking moment near the end.

A nutcase decapitates women with a kukri and dumps their severed heads in water, whether that be a toilet, pond, water-filled trashcan, or local aquarium. The obvious suspect is a voyeur with mental health issues who stalks Eleanor through the seedy nighttime streets of Boston. The familiar “make her seem a victim” trick – who are they kidding?

The investigation switches to an anthropology lecturer familiar with cleansing rituals, but his exchange student assistant, Eleanor, is the culprit. An overlong shower scene and a British accent are not-so-subtle clues to her guilt. Madly in love, the teacher responds to her confession by donning her leathers, and after a chase, he suffers a fatal accident. Case closed, but the lead detective has doubts.

Great kill scenes – such as the loony biker spinning a merry-go-round and springing from a closet to confront a female scuba diver – make this a memorable nostalgia trip. There’s also a surprisingly effective scare when the cop’s partner plays a masked killer prank in the closing scene.

Shredder (2001) – Evil Skier / Shelly (Candace Moon)

The credited villainess’ name aptly describes her: a psycho dressed in a black outfit and dark tinted goggles, who hates snowboarders (or shredders) enough to slaughter an entire group of them. Typical slasher fare with idiot kids who don’t realise there’s a killer out there for the first hour, but surprisingly light on nudity. Themed weapons include an ice pick and an icicle, adding some much-needed originality.

Years ago snowboarders hounded a teenage girl, leading to a fatal accident. Her sister is alive, so horror fans will make the connection long before the reveal when she unmasks herself in an icebreaker truck. A fake European who was involved in the girl’s death and her resentful father are obvious suspects, which means they aren’t guilty to any intelligent viewer.

n a rare gender flip, a male is the last survivor after his bitchy girlfriend’s dying words are “I never loved you.” Nobody will mourn her death. This “final boy” scenario is a bluff because a girl thought dead returns to blast the psychotic Shelly into the icebreaker’s spinning blade. An honourable mention for an entertaining, if flawed, low budget production.