Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Stake Land (2010)

Director: Jim Mickle

Time Out rating

Average user rating

4 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Re-teaming with actor and co-writer Nick D’Amici, star of the promising, no-budget feature ‘Mulberry Street’, director Jim Mickle serves up a potent blend of post-apocalyptic road movie, vampire picture and lyrical western. Following the massacre of his family by bloodsuckers, teenager Martin (Connor Paolo) hooks up with tight-lipped vamp killer Mister (Nick Damici). Sticking to deserted country roads, they head for the rumoured sanctuary of New Eden, picking up a pregnant woman (Danielle Harris) and a traumatised nun (Kelly McGillis). More certain of their faith are opportunist preacher Jebedia Loven (Michael Ceveris) and his heavily armed survivalist flock, The Brethren, who believe the vampire plague is the work of a vengeful God.

Jeff Grace’s melancholy music underscores the atmosphere of bleak dystopian despair, leavened by flashes of humour and hope. Sparing tedious explanation and backstory, Mickle and D’Amici achieve a disturbing horror, an emotional depth and a political resonance never strained for. Instead, thanks to the actors’ performances, they grow organically out of the grim situations and sparse dialogue.

Author: Nigel Floyd

Time Out London Issue 2130: June 16 – 22, 2011

Email Tweet Share

User reviews of this film

scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Oct 09 2011 15:05 Don't usually comment on DVD viewings, but when a film is this fine, it is imposable to resist. Why do we have to suffer 3 weeks of the tedious, 13 years out of date SCRE4M clogging our screens when there's horrors this outstanding....Scream? excuse me while I do! Oh, and it's a great THE ROAD for those that need more explanation! 8/10

Report as inappropriate
smithian aitken said...

Posted on Jun 28 2011 14:06 I would highly recommend this film, which unfortunately is not being presented in Cardiff beyond today.
It is of course, maybe, a horror-vampire movie, but has too interesting political references that allude to right wing founder -mentalist thinking and lifestyle choices. Perhaps this gives the movie a subtle dimension that adds to its superb photographic qualities and great visual rawness. Topped with a 'big four wheeled banger' to boot it is compelling, Go see.

Report as inappropriate
iLovefilms said...

Posted on Jun 21 2011 21:35 Really enjoyed this film. Rarely these days do you watch a horror movie which tries to do things a little different. I read one review online with started with the line "If Terrence Malik made a horror film..." & in some ways that comment is true; although this flick has allot more action to keep the average cinema goer happy. It's shot beautifully & the acting is strong throughout. I also liked how the main character narrated his feelings & thoughts during the film like it was a classic Malik movie. This definitely added to the story telling in my eyes. The score was amazing & helped take the whole film up a couple notches. Certain parts of it reminded me of The Assassination of Jesse James; as they were very dreamlike & magical. So to wrap things up this is a disturbing, violent vampire/apocalypse movie yet at the same time it manages to be touching & beautiful. If you enjoyed The Road & don't mind a bit of art house thrown into your films then you should be happy with this one! Highly recommended!

Report as inappropriate
critique said...

Posted on Jun 20 2011 18:32 Interesting horror story, very spare and lean but may be a little bit bitty because of that.

Report as inappropriate