Blood Bound is a 2019 horror film about a young girl who becomes the focus for a family intent on sacrificing her child to the demon they worship.
Through years of horror we’ve discovered that demons are creatures absent of souls, they take what they want and sacrifice life as a mere offering to something much greater. They are rarely portrayed as something that has more complexity other than killing for selfish reasons, but is that really the truth? Blood Bound from director Richard LeMay explores the possibility that even the most evil of creatures can feel more than just cruelty, and often they find themselves torn between what is expected of them and fitting in with society.
READ MORE: Richard LeMay Talks With Us About The Making Of Blood Bound
One family have been cursed with an ancient pact to a demon that gives them powers beyond anything mortals could imagine. Every 25 years the family must give sacrifice to the monster and feed his need for blood, however, it must be someone with the family’s blood running through their veins; one of their own. As the family descend upon a small rural town, three friends suddenly find themselves facing a disturbing fate that will change their lives.
The audience are presented with three friends who have no regard for others; they are currently on a criminal plight of robbing homes during the night to obtain anything they deem should be theirs. Kerry, Sean and Brian become the perfect victims to the Satanic family when they break in only to discover that the new-in-town family have powers that render them catatonic yet understanding of their surroundings. They are put through a sickening night of mental torture, rape and demonic rituals which leaves them traumatised and terrified. This is the first time in the film that we see a power shift from the central characters to the secondary characters and understand how their personalities intertwine with one another.
Eden Brolin, daughter of actor Josh Brolin (The Goonies, Old Boy) plays protagonist Kerry, and takes us on her journey as we watch the harrowing life that has been set out for her. Raped and impregnated, she is coerced into keeping the unwanted child that will eventually become property to youngest family member David, played by Ross Wellinger, who has a destiny to fulfill. Although Kerry has been put into the worst situation of her young life, the audience are privy to the character’s on-screen transformation throughout the film; she is introduced to us as this badass rebel girl who is dating the town bad boy, is robbing homes even though her father is the Sheriff, and gives not a care in the world about anyone other than herself. As she is held prisoner to David and must conform, we see her begin to blossom as an intelligent woman, caring of those around her and desperate to ensure her baby’s survival. Brolin gives depth to her character, and easily lets the viewer find fault and common ground with her.
Although Blood Bound is essentially about demons, sacrifice and being more powerful than anyone else, it also looks at the complicated structure of the demonic family. They are incestously combined and have a clear pact order, which determines the fate of those within. Although David is convinced he must fulfill the future of his family, as he bonds with Kerry he begins to learn more about his own psychology and that living a normal life away from the evil running through his veins would be a new experience. Wellinger’s performance is well-paced and he is believable at presenting an awkward character that has no social understanding, emotional intelligence or knowledge about the morals of society.
Blood Bound may be a film about sacrifices to demons and having otherworldly powers, but at its core it’s a slow burning horror movie about the traumatic experience one girl has to endure, and the psychology behind a supposedly evil man. It is depressing, harrowing and leaves you feeling there is no hope for the world. Blood Bound is a clever take on a popular horror trope, laced with discoverings about the human psyche.