WFG RATING: A-

Cineverse, Screambox, and Bloody Disgusting presents a Pageman Productions film. Directed by Daniel Turres. Produced by Daniel Turres, Christian Turres, and Jacob Windatt. Written by James Roberts. Cinematography by Renato Villas. Edited by Thomas Vickers. 

Stars Shawn Roberts, Maya Misaljevic, Joelle Farrow, Tara Spener-Nairn, Michael Therriault, Jesse Buck, Kelly Penner, Samantha Helt, Glen Grant, and the voice of Dee Snider.

A pro wrestler is in for the night of his life in this Canadian horror-comedy that features legendary rocker Dee Snider. 

Tom O’Bannon is a pro wrestler who is in a relationship with his college student girlfriend Phoebe. Phoebe has been asked to babysit Grace, but due to her studying for exams, she is unable to. However, she recommends Tom to take her place for a while until she finishes studying and Tom agrees. Upon his arrival, he and Grace at first feel reluctant to bond, but eventually do so. However, this is about to become an unforgettable night. 

A mysterious band of masked bikers show up to the house with their intentions to go after Grace. When Tom comes to the rescue, Phoebe and her friends show up only to also find the bikers and with one of the friends succumbing to the crew, the survivors hide out in the house. They soon learn of a conspiracy that involves a satanic presence who the cult follows and plan to unleash with Grace as a sacrifice. However, it is up to Tom and company to make sure that it never happens. 

Masked Satanists decked out as metal bikers? Check. Pro wrestling protagonist? Check. All out insanity? Triple check! This film, written by James Roberts and directed by Daniel Turres is exactly a wild horror comedy that could come from our neighbors to the North. It feels like a LSD-tripped reverse version of The Babysitter horror franchise with a professional wrestling as the babysitter who takes on a band of Satanists decked out in Strangers-like masks and looking like they came out of a 80s or 90s metal concert. 

Shawn Roberts is great as pro wrestler Tom. In the ring, he is a beast, but out of the ring, he’s the gentle giant type. He has a girlfriend, college student Phoebe, played by Joelle Farrow and when he does the babysitting job, he comes off as a gentleman in the eyes of parents Gill and Barb. Gill, played by Michael Therriault, comes off as somewhat submissive type when it comes to Barb, played by a sometimes over-the-top Tara Spencer-Nairn. As for Maya Misaljevic, she gives a standout performance as Grace, who gives off a sense of sassiness in the role. 

Legendary rocker Dee Snider of Twisted Sister gives off somewhat of a Little Shop of Horrors vibe as “the Skull”, who is actually a decapitated skull that has come back to life only to be needing to feed. There are times in comedic fashion where the skull is yelling to be fed only to be told to shut up. There’s also that one tropey character in this and other genres who is the comic relief where everything bad happens to him but somehow, he manages to stay alive. In this film, it’s the character of Bernie played by Jesse Buck.

The kill scenes are gloriously over-the-top and they are still fun to watch. Kudos to the Butcher FX team for the special effects of the film. There are madcap stabbings and even some twisted and insane looking decapitations along with chopped off digits and a scalping courtesy of the Skull. There is even that trope of a massive equal type for Tom that is of course too powerful and it takes more than one mind to find a way to stop him. The final act is one that’s quite insane!

Here for Blood is wild, madcap, and all out horrific fun!!! If you like heavy metal, pro wrestling, and horror, then prepare for a meshing of all three wrapped up in one nifty package!

The film will premiere on Screambox on February 9.