Celebrating the Bloodiest in Genre with the Rites of Spring: A Movie Review

*here be some spoilers.

Director/writer: Padraig Reynolds.

Cast: Katherine Randolph, Anessa Ramsey, AJ Bowen, Hannah Bryan, Marco St. John and Sonny Marinelli.

Rites of Spring is Padraig Reynolds' first feature as director. This title is meant to be the first of three pictures that deal with a Pagan god, of sorts. The film found here brings two genres together in a compelling fashion: a crime thriller and a horror film. This blend of formulas brings new life into the slasher film. As well, Reynolds, shows a lot of quality and dedication in this first feature.

Rites of Spring begins with a series of disappearances. Unbelievably, these disappearances continues for twenty-four years. And, no one thought to call the FBI? With that unusual plot point aside, an older farmer stalks a couple of women leaving a nearby bar. He captures them. Later, he tortures, humiliates, and bleeds these two for a beast that lives under the floors. Then, the film transitions into a new story. Now, Rites of Spring becomes a kidnapping tale. Several conspirators break into the house of a local millionaire. They take his daughter and kill his wife. Later, there are the usual double-crossings, and revenge scenarios here, but something different begins to emerge.

These two stories, which are interlaced, merge into one. Now, the kidnappers have to deal with the beast from the farm and he seems very angry. This use of multiple genres and stories are well crafted. This fusion also keeps the interaction interesting. How will the kidnapping evolve once an axe wielding serial killer is on the scene? There is a bit of a clash initially. Then, the film melds the two stories together into a somewhat standard serial killer film. And, Wormface, the killer, is one to be feared.

There are many things to fear about Wormface. Of course, he is a mute character, but his physical presence is large. He also has maggots and blood dripping from his face. His good times involve creating a nest of corpses and he is at his best when slashing through the cast. His final scenes are brutal. Unfortunately, they end too quickly. Maybe Wormface is not a god as he twitches on the hood of a car.

Director Reynolds captures all of this action with precision. There are a few too many shaky camera moments early. However, there are good transitions here between both stories. The directing techniques are also diverse: close-ups, pans, night shoots, medium shots and multiple angles highlight the action. Some night shoots in the finale were difficult to see; yet, most of the action, interaction and conflict is shown with a competent eye.

Rites of Spring will release on video-on-demand July 27th and film fans are encouraged to search for this title at IFC Films. This is a brilliant feature. The standard serial killer clichés are mostly forgotten in favour of two stories merging into one. This style of filmmaking offers many characters and lots of conflict. Two groups fighting over money turns into three and possibly even four. The cast is whittled down quickly and Reynolds has a terse directing and writing style, which is hopefully replicated in a follow-up to this feature.

Overall: 8.25 out of 10 (open ending, good use of genres, excellent music and lots of excitement).

*the title of the film references the requirement of blood sacrifice to improve a farmer's harvest.

More on the film can be found here:

Rites of Spring at IFC Films

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