It Stains the Sands Red with Tears Not Blood: A Film Review

*full disclosure: an online screener was provided by the film's publicity arm.

Director: Colin Minihan.

Writers: Colin Minihan, Stuart Ortiz.

Cast: Brittany Allen, Juan Riedinger, Merwin Mondesir

It Stains the Sands Red is the latest thriller from the Vicious Brothers. Colin Minihan (Grave Encounters) and Stuart Ortiz try to breath some life into the zombie sub-genre, with this title. However, the long zombie chase in the desert gets a bit tiresome and repetitive, after awhile. The film's tone is overly sad. Meanwhile, there are almost no redeemable characters on-screen, outside of central character Molly (Brittany Allen). Even Molly has a long list of vices. A bit slow, It Stains the Sands Red offers minimal conflict and action, as well. It is not all bad. But, It Stains the Sands Red will entertain only the most patient zombie film fans.

The film begins with one of the film's only wide shots. Las Vegas is burning and the zeds are loose! Molly and Nick (Merwin Mondesir) are getting out of town, via sports car. But, events go down hill quickly, once the car gets stuck in the sand. Soon, a lone zombie shows up. Mistakenly, Molly leaves the road, in favour of the desert. Then, it is fourty-five minute slow shamble to civilization. Molly will have to outfox the lone zombie and a few convicts, before she finds the film's impetus, her son. But, the long journey out will not hold everyone's attention.

Molly is too sentimental to end Smalls.

It Stains the Sands Red is meant as a tear-jerker? The film's tone is overly sad. Molly is constantly crying. Though, her situation required more anger, to get her through her desperate situation. And, it is strange to see this central character crying for the undead. All he wants to do is eat her. Molly does not care. She lets the zombie, Smalls (Juan Riedinger), loose once. Not much later, she carries this flesheater in a plastic rowboat. There are more tears and the tone was too sombre, for this viewer. Tears wont help many in the coming zombie apocalypse.

This viewer did not like many of the characters. There really is only one central character, Molly. There are a number of minor characters, none of them could be called morally good. Molly, herself, is a former stripper and cocaine addict. She is constantly boozing or drugging, while under zombie attack. Her only good quality is her doggedness; she refuses to give up and surrender to the maw of Smalls. Her boyfriend, Nick, is just a thug and likely a drug dealer. Other characters range from rapists to speed-heads. There really is no one to root for in this title. The only heroism Molly shows is for her son. She rescues him from a dire situation. But, has society sunk so low that acting as a mother is now considered an act of heroism? Surely, there are more heroic characters out there, waiting to be created.

Unfortunately, this critic had a few other complaints, involving: the pacing, conflict and action. Each of these film elements lacked something. The first half of the film is a bit slow. There are a few scuffles between Molly and Smalls. But, the long trek through the desert bogs the film down a bit. Events could have been upped a gear. There are a few minor scuffles and confrontations in the film. Still, conflict is mostly reduced to the antagonism between Molly and the lone zombie. Even this conflict peters out as Molly takes him under her wing. This viewer would expect a bit more action, in a film built on the McGuffin of a zombie apocalypse. Though, finances could have been an issue here as they often are within independent filmmaking. It Stains the Sands Red needed more action and conflict, to keep this title entertaining.

It Stains the Sands Red will show through Video-on-demand this July 28th. It will also have a theatrical launch. The film does offer a unique, but smaller story, set in Nevada's deserts. This watcher was not reminded of other films, while watching this one. So, Minihan and Ortiz have worked hard to produce an original script. There is a character arc, involving Molly, as well; she chooses family over the powder. Still, this viewer wished for at least one decent, honest character on-screen. There were none. Action was reduced to a prolonged chase sequence. And, true conflict only emerged near the later half of the film. Also, you will need to prepare for a number of sadder scenes as Molly treats one undead much like a child, or a pet dog. It Stains the Sands Red is original, but it is not thoroughly entertaining. It should be watched by those looking for a smaller, unique and more sombre zombie apocalypse.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10.

*this viewer would like to see a survivalist break down all of Molly's mistakes, in the desert (there are many).

A trailer for the film: A It Stains the Sands Red Trailer on 28DLA


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