Bloodlust: Subspecies III (1994 Video) User Reviews

Blood Must

[barnthebarn · 6/10 · 23 April 2009]

Conclusion to the planned trilogy directed by Ted Nicolaou this third film ends rather openly suggesting that Full Moon Productions were already sizing up future instalments. This time Radu kidnaps Michelle and takes her to the castle that he shares with his mother, a Sorceress. He teaches her to master her vampire powers, willing to sacrifice everything to empower his true love when Michelle's sister Rebecca attacks his stronghold.

The trilogy is weakening here with little original storyline and little excitement. However the series still - at this point - remains highly unique and still fantastically riveting. Once again the acting is of a high standard, the Romanian locations breathtaking and the script, score and direction, even in this 'weaker hour' surpass many larger budget films. Stable stuff.

Radu's romantic side

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 7/10 · 11 July 2008]

Now I know that most of the Subspecies fans prefer the second movie over Bloodlust: Subspecies III, but I think this was actually my favorite of the series. This is where we see a little bit of Radu's weakness and that he can have mortal feelings for another, even love. Weither or not he's in love with Michelle, I think he admires her innocence and beauty, the power she holds over him, she knows it and definitely takes advantage of it, who can blame her, right? But I love how the story goes into Radu, he fears this emotion, understandably, and it blinds him. This is strangely a tragic love story that really intrigues me, it goes from teacher/student to love/hate. Radu though I promise still delivers the good scares like the other Subspecies movies.

Radu and his student, Michelle, are up to a lot, while he teaches her what it means to be a vampire, Radu's mother thinks it's a bad idea to keep her. Michelle's sister, Morgan, will not give up and she will do anything to save her sister's should. Michelle tells Radu that she can never love him, that she hates him and would rather just die instead of being a vampire but Radu wishes for her to stay with him forever.

Bloodlust: Subspecies III is just continuing where the second Subspecies left off. My favorite scene was where Michelle is outside and Radu comes from behind her and she asks what can kill them, the dialog he delivers as well as his expressions, for a low budget film, Anders Hove is a good actor and makes Radu very believable. The scene was beautifully done between him and Denise. This was a fun series to get into, I really have enjoyed it, these are the horror films I've been looking for and would highly recommend them for a good scare.

7/10

The show must go on...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 22 March 2019]

I was fortunate enough to watch the third installment in the "Subspecies" franchise back-to-back with the previous two movies, making a whole evening out of it. And it was interesting to find out that parts II and III were also filmed back-to-back.

Again, this is a direct continuation of the events that transpired in "Bloodlust: Subspecies II" and continued where part II left the audience. This is really something that is unique and definitely is a defining event for the franchise.

"Bloodlust: Subspecies III", like the previous two movies, while being in the horror genre, is not a movie that is made to scare the audience or gross out the audience with over-the-top special effects and ways to kill or maim characters. No, again, this is about character development and about story progression. Those are factors to the franchise that I immensely enjoy and it make for some very good entertainment.

Needless to say that Anders Hove carries the movie phenomenally as he did with the previous two movies. He definitely puts so much energy and personality into the Radu character and makes it for a very memorable character in the vampire genre.

"Bloodlust: Subspecies III" makes for good entertainment, and it is delivering a straight forward storyline and script, much alike the previous two movies. There are little surprises or plot twists along the way, but the previous two movies weren't known for that either. The introduction of Bob, a soldier of fortune-like character, seemed very forced and misplaced in the movie. Especially because the character served very little purpose and was brought to a most sudden and random demise.

If you have watched the previous two movies in the "Subspecies" genre, then you definitely should sit down to watch the third movie as well. "Subspecies" is a gem within the vampire genre.

Better than the first, but not the second

[RishOut · 4 April 2000]

Though not quite as great as "Subspecies 2," and with an unsatisfying ending, it was still better than the original.

It picks up where the last one left off, with babe Michelle in the vampiric clutches of Radu and his shrivelled, cackling mother, and the forces of good attempting to save her. There were some great and legitimate moments of tension, mostly due to characterization, and that's always welcome. Anders Hove does a fantastic job as the pitiful, all-too-human vampire, Radu, in love with Michelle who can only hate him. It was well-written, although a lot slower-moving than "Subspecies 2," but definitely worth a look.

More Subspecies

[BandSAboutMovies · 4/10 · 28 August 2021]

Michelle (Denice Duff) - who we last saw in Bloodstone: Subspecies 2 being grabbed by the mummified mother of Radu Vladislas (Anders Hove) and pulled deep into the catacombs beneath the Full Moon castle.

Now, Radu is brought back to life with Michelle's blood and the dagger that killed him, with our heroine promising to follow Radu if he teaches her how to be a vampire and takes her on the hunt. Soon enough, Radu realizes that if he's going to be with her forever, he's going to have to kill his mother. That certainly fixes some issues on the holidays, I guess.

Radu gets killed in every movie and this time, he's tossed off the roof of the castle and impaled on a tree and then burns in the sunlight. But if we know anything about our friend Count Vladislas, he'll be back trying to win over Michelle before too long.

This was shot back to back with the last film, which means that yes, you will be seeing a flashback to fill out the running time. Such is the Full Moon experience.

One of the Better Full Moons

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 11 August 2016]

Still in the thrall of the evil vampire Radu (Anders Hove), Michelle yearns to be taught the skills of the vampire. Meanwhile, her sister Becky tries to free her from his evil clutches, and this time, she has brought some help.

Shot back to back with part two, the "Subspecies" series is one of the better things to come out of Full Moon. Maybe it had creative independence, or maybe the budget was better in that era. I am not sure. But we haven't seen anything this good from Full Moon in a long time.

Others have commented that, despite the low budget, the film is a lot of fun because it doesn't take itself too seriously. That's true. But also, this is legitimately good -- good acting, and amazing makeup. The plot may be a bit silly as it moves into part three (and just wait for part four!) but you have to expect a bit of deterioration with sequels.

Not Bad Sequel

[gwnightscream · 5/10 · 4 January 2022]

This 1994 horror sequel stars Anders Hove, Denise Duff and Melanie Shatner. This picks up immediately where the last film ended where Michelle (Duff) is trapped inside with Radu (Hove) and his ghoulish mother, Mummy (Pamela Gordon) who revives him. Soon, Radu tries to make Michelle his bride and teach her the ways of the vampire. Meanwhile, Rebecca (Shatner) tries to save her sister once again, but with some help. This isn't bad, but probably should've been the last and Hove & Duff are great in it.

The Mother of the Vampire

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 17 June 2022]

In Bucharest, Rebecca (Melanie Shatner) finds her sister Michelle (Denice Duff) in the catacombs of an old castle and kills Radu (Anders Hove) with a dagger. They flee, but Michelle is incapable to leave the dark place since the sun is shining outside. Rebecca promises to wait for her until the night, but Michelle is captured by Mummy (Pamela Gordon) that uses her blood to revive Radu. Rebecca and Mel (Kevin Blair) try to convince Lieutenant Marin (Ion Haiduc) to bring the police to the catacombs to look for Michelle. The Chief of Police is skeptic and Mel summons his CIA friend Bob (Michael Dellafemina) to help him to hunt the vampire Radu and rescue Michelle. Will they succeed?

"Bloodlust: Subspecies III" is a great sequel of this series. Combining horror with comedy, this film is highly entertaining and will not disappoint the fans of vampire stories. Last but not the least, Radu's mother steals the show. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Volúpia Sangrenta" ("Bloody Voluptuousness")

The worst one so far.

[poolandrews · 4/10 · 19 June 2009]

Bloodlust: Subspecies III starts where the previous film Bloodstone: Subspecies II (1994) finished with Rebecca (Melanie Shatner) running off to find help while her poor sister Michelle (Denice Duff) is kidnapped by Radu (Anders Hove) & his zombie Witch Mother (Pamela Gordon) who whisks them back to Radu's castle. The police are called & Popescu's (Michael Denish) body is found in the crypt but no Michelle, Witches or Vampires. Together with Mel (Kevin Spirtas) Rebecca sets out to find her sister Michelle (again) while Radu tries to convince her to love him (again)...

Written & directed by Ted Nicolaou who ended up directing all the Subspecies films thus far I have to say that out of the first three Bloodlust: Subspecies III is the worst. By low budget horror film standards it's not too bad I suppose but after a fairly decent original & a surprisingly good second Subspecies film this definitely felt like one Subspecies film too many. The story is slow & Radu the evil Vampire is getting less & less to do with each film, here he spends almost the whole running time in his castle trying to convince Michelle to love him for reasons never explained, I mean why he is so infatuated with her anyway? Then there's Rebecca's attempts to find her sister which wastes more minutes until the inevitable showdown at the end. This is fairly forgettable stuff to be honest, the romance tinged plot is standard fare in Vampire films & nothing else really happens besides. It's alright & it's watchable enough but I am glad I saw it on TV for free rather than spend any money on it. Not one I will be adding to my collection anytime soon.

Bloodlust: Subspecies III was actually shot back-to-back with Bloodstone: Subspecies II, I would imagine that the same thing that happened with Puppet Master 4 (1993) & Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter (1994) made around the same time as this also befell this in that Full Moon Entertainment had a deal with Paramount going to theatrically release some of their films but when that fell through the planned films (both a Puppet Master & Subspecies one) were split into two films each & made at the same time with the same cast's & crew. Certainly Bloodstone: Subspecies II & Bloodlust: Subspecies III feel like they could have been edited down into one film & as it is both feel a little incomplete & empty, especially this one. The film looks alright but no different than the previous film & there's a distinct lack of gore too. The little stop-motion animated monsters from the original make a brief appearance at the end to set up yet another sequel.

Shot in Bucharest in Romania the location work is the best thing about Bloodlust: Subspecies III to be honest, the production values are OK & it looks nice enough but it's just all a bit dull really. Most of the cast from Bloodstone: Subspecies II feature here & are alright.

Bloodlust: Subspecies III is definitely my least favourite Subspecies film so far although I still haven't seen the final one to date Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm (1998) although I will have within the next week or so. This is an OK Vampire film but forgettable & not as good as the previous two, difficult to recommend to anyone other than die hard Subspecies fans.

Could be better!

[jp_91 · 7/10 · 16 December 2020]

After the great first film and the amazing sequel, "Bloodlust: Subspecies III" is not that cool. Radu Vladislas is now a typical bloodsucking vampire, a romantic one. The special make-up effects are fine, the cinematography is not that good and the Romanian filming locations are not that interesting as in the two first films. This third film is a good direct-to-video release but could be better!

Not as good, but still entertaining.

[paulclaassen · 4/10 · 2 July 2019]

With 'Subspecies 2' being so good, this installment was a bit of a letdown. The affects are not as good, and the film is more comedic. Why is Lieutenant Marin suddenly such an idiotic character? And Radu's laughing mother was so annoying!

The shadow effects are not as realistic and at times seems experimental. The story has way too many conveniences and is simply not believable. There's also the faithful 'victim falls for the detective' cliche. In general, this film is more lighthearted than serious, and wasn't as enjoyable, yet nevertheless still watchable and entertaining.

Love Will Tear Us Apart

[Gafke · 9/10 · 30 October 2005]

Poor Radu. He's been stabbed and staked by his fledgling Michelle and her sister Becky and left for dead in the bottom of a dusty crypt in a Bucharest cemetery. But Radu's mummy comes to the rescue, recapturing Michelle almost instantly and healing her much abused son before the next moon rises. Upon awakening, Michelle is horrified to realize that Radu is not dead, nor has he released his hold on her. The bizarre threesome flee the cemetery and head back to Castle Vladislas. Michelle, disgusted by her vampiric urges, nevertheless demands that Radu show her the ropes. Radu, pathetically in love with the beautiful Michelle, alternatively tries to win her affections and force her into submission. Mummy resents the new fledgling and urges her son to destroy her. And Becky has not yet given up on the idea of a rescue, and she's brought plenty of back up this time.

This third entry in the Subspecies series is every bit as fun as the first two, allowing its cast of characters to grow and evolve. Anders Hove as Radu becomes an object of pity here, revealing Radu not as evil incarnate, but as a lonely, miserable wretch who has never been loved...not even by his mummy. Michelle's continued rejection of her hideous Master is heartbreaking to watch. Time and again she professes her hatred for Radu, and Radu accepts it in silence and takes her back without a word against her, protecting her no matter what the cost. His love for her is genuinely pathetic and one can't help but feel some pity for him at last. Denise Duff as Michelle is very good once again, expressing sorrow and pain but also satisfaction and enthusiasm in her new found powers. Highlights include an emotional scene between Radu and Michelle atop the battlements of Castle Vladislas, and a brief but very funny sequence involving Becky, Radu and a gun loaded with silver bullets.

Fans of the first two should not miss this third installment. Followed by a fourth film (Bloodstorm: Subspecies 4) which, sadly, is nowhere near as good as the first three Subspecies films.

Lust for un-life

[movieman_kev · 6/10 · 19 July 2014]

Continuing directly after the major cliffhanger of the previous film (well after a short recap of the aforementioned movie at least) Subspecies 3 jumps right back into the thick of it. With Rebecca trying to save her beloved sister/recent vampire Michelle from evil vampire Radu and his witch of a mother.

While there are parts of the film that I really enjoyed, this third film as a whole is a bit too padded and i believe that it would've been better served (artistically if not financially) by trimming it down and combining the footage left with part 2 to make a much better film. As it is, the film was OK, it just could've been such better.

Eye Candy: Elvira Deatcu gets briefly topless and Melanie Shatner provides T&A

A Series That Just Keeps Getting Worse...

[meddlecore · 5/10 · 6 October 2021]

Like with the previous entry, Subspecies: Bloodlust picks up where Bloodstone had left off.

But immediately you notice that everything is patently worse.

The acting sure went downhill fast.

There's no introductory effects overload.

And the story is starting to become pretty ridiculous.

Basically, the evil vampire- Radu- and his mother are trying to force the vampire maiden- Michelle- to give up her remaining ties to mortal world.

Despite desperately needing to eat, she plays along just enough to learn about her abilities, so that she can use them to kill him at some later point, given the opportunity.

In the meantime, however, she uses this newfound magic to lure an unsuspecting fiddle player to his death.

While her sister and boyfriend are actively trying to hunt the vampires down, so that they can kill them once and for all...hoping this will free her from the curse that strickens her.

In order to do so...they team up with her boyfriends gun-totin' CIA buddy.

He gives them each six silver bullets, made from an antique crucifix.

But it doesn't do them much good.

Leaving Michelle to face an ultimatum...that would see her give up her mortal ties, in exchange for saving her sister.

That is...unless they can truly kill him this time...

The ending of this installation of the quadrilogy is pretty funny.

But knowing there's another one makes me shake my head a little.

Because this one was very mediocre.

5.5 out of 10.

Solid sequel to the surprisingly straight faced Charles Band horror franchise

[a_chinn · 6/10 · 4 June 2018]

I'm quite surprised at myself for having not watching this Charles Band Full Moon Features production before and have quickly become a fan of the Subspecies series of films. I think what I like most about the series is that the vampires here are neither the Bela Lugosi elegant gentlemen type, nor are they the emo Anne Rice/Sookie Stackhouse type of vampires. The vampire Radu is a nasty scary looking monster. In many ways, he reminds me of the Steve Niles vampires in "30 Days of Night." In this third installment, Radu is still controlling one of the sisters from the previous film and her other sister is trying to free her from Radu's thrall. As with the previous films, this was competently directed by Ted Nicolaou, who makes the most of the European locations and the real-life castle that was owed by Band's production company at the time (and which appeared in just about every Full Moon film of this era, even one misguided Trancers film). Anders Hove continues to be creepy as Count Radu, the practical special effects are solid (and bloody), and the production values are better than most Full Moon productions. Overall, this one is a must see for fans of Charles Band films, but honestly this film is probably not one for non-fan of Full Moon Features.

"Beauty and the Beast" with fangs

[angelynx-2 · 8/10 · 13 April 2000]

Just edges out S2 as my favorite in this hugely entertaining vampire series, mostly on the strength of Anders Hove and Denise Duff's performances. Same basic plot: Rebecca and her Fearless Vampire Stalkers continue where they left off, in pursuit of her sister Michelle, Radu, and the Bloodstone; while Radu tries futilely to gain the love and loyalty of his adamantly defiant "fledgling", Michelle.

Hove has completely sounded the depths of Radu's character and his portrayal of this tragic monster is poignant and heartfelt. Unable to command his headstrong protégé's fealty to the master she refuses to acknowledge, unable to win her heart with gifts or intimate displays of trust, Radu's despair is utterly human, yet he never turns on her. Despite his constant praise of pain and suffering, his deathly face conceals a heart capable of loyal and true love.

As for Denise Duff as Michelle, she is probably the coolest vampiress EVER, and if it not for Radu would no-doubt be the star of this series. The Subspecies movies deserve acclaim for their strong female characters, and Michelle is the toughest, a determinedly human woman who resists becoming a vampire with every fiber of her strength and will. At the same time, we see her grow in undead power and skill, and realize that if she keeps control of the Bloodstone - with which she can resist the need to kill - she'll become an immortal to reckon with. Her scenes with Radu are really something to see, as the two vampires match wills eye-to-eye again and again, and she forces Radu to blink every time.

Their story is truly "Beauty and the Beast" without the happy ending, and indeed it's hard not to think of that classic story in the sequence where Michelle begs to see her sister just one last time. Like the Beast, Radu is unwilling to let his "pretty one" go, but gives his permission, hoping to prove his love by a gesture of faith in her; and just as in the fairy tale, his hopeful gesture has sad consequences. The look on his face as she sweeps past him while he pleads for her devotion could bring a tougher fan than me to tears. --These are some of the best characterizations in modern vampire film, and among the very few that I really care about.

Once you see this you will NEED to see #4!

Radu is back again, and this time he's lustfully hungry

[clintstafford · 10/10 · 21 July 2020]

If you are new to the Subspecies series, I strongly suggest that you go back and view the first and second movies before diving into the bloodbath of Bloodlust. In this third movie, Radu and Michele have already been fleshed out as developed characters, and the beginning of Bloodlust takes off from where Bloodstone left off, allowing for no introduction to the background. In Bloodstone, we heard Radu tell Michele that "There is no love between the living and the dead, only hunger." Here in Bloodlust, we see that Radu has indeed fallen for the lovely undead Michele, and confesses to love her forever and ever. Michele, on the other hand, is having a hard time coming to grips with her vampiric self, and though she lustfully drinks from the blood that Radu offers, she vows to hate him forever and ever. Michele's sister Becky and her new boyfriend Mel have followed the two undead lovebirds back to Radu's castle, where Becky swears to free Michele. Teamed up with bumbling local detective Marin and Mel's CIA friend who has a bag full of silver bullets and a cheesy beret, they penetrate the castle to rid the town of Radu's evil presence. What follows is confrontation after confrontation; Radu and Mummy, Radu and Michele, Michele and Becky, until the movie culminates with a wild escape from the castle and the reappearance (briefly) of Radu's miniature gargoyles. Of all the subspecies movies, Bloodlust is my favorite. Some secrets are revealed in this installment about Radu's heritage, we see a tender but brief moment with Radu, and there is more humor here than the previous two movies. Again, if you are a vampire purist and like your vampires nasty, then you are going to love the Subspecies series. Enjoy!

An excellent job yet again, but this is where the cracks start to appear in this great series

[NightlySun · 9/10 · 15 July 2011]

I know, my screen name is "SubspeciesRaduFan," but even I have to admit that the series begins to get more cheesy here, with a few minor flawed moments moments. So here's my summary:

Michelle killed Radu, but his mother grabbed her and brought her son back to life using Michelle's blood. Radu continues trying to get Michelle to accept her condition and his love.. However, she hates him for being responsible for the death of her friends and Stefan, but that doesn't stop his obsession with her. Meanwhile, Becky, Mel, and a CIA agent plot to help Michelle escape the vampire's clutches. As a previous reviewer said, Radu is becoming more of a pitiful creature than an evil monster like he was in the previous movies. Poor guy is completely unloved, even by his mother and (now permanently deceased) father giving some justification for his evil.

This movie is still a masterpiece, don't get me wrong; it just lacks the atmosphere of the first two. I am glad they retained the eroticism, though, and stuck to the story.

9/10

Radu deserves to be immortalized in the pantheon as a true Gothic Horror icon.

[Weirdling_Wolf · 10/10 · 15 April 2021]

Maestro, Ted Nicolaou's tragic vampire opus becomes ever more twisted in 'Bloodlust: Subspecies III'. Only recently undead, Michelle's (Denice Duff) dismal fate is now grimly entwined with her deathly pale, murderously besotted vampire master, Radu. The cruel, calculating, sibling slaying wretch is now the incumbent monarch of forbidding Vladislas castle. Corrupted by loneliness, jealousy, and a thirst for power, Radu's obsession over, Michelle's sublime beauty and the mythic Bloodstone fuelling his bloodlust. Acting as one demented, Radu conspires viciously to make, Michelle willingly share his eternal damnation. Courageously resisting his vile, necromantic advances, Michelle's rejection merely increases, Radu's grim resolve to possess her absolutely!

The anguished, weakening, increasingly pale, Michelle inevitably succumbs to her primal need to feed. Bullied into rejecting all familial ties, she unhappily surrenders to Radu, reluctantly becoming his resentfully blood-drinking, charnel house-dwelling consort. Her plucky sister, Becky (Melanie Shatner) and her handsome companion, Mel's (Kevin Spirtas) tenacious attempts to free Michelle from the crepuscular confines of doomy Vladislas castle are nothing short of heroic! Escalating to a memorably bloody melee, the fulminating evils of demonic, Radu and his maniacal sorceress mother (Pamela Strong) are not easily bested.

Maintaining Subspecies stylish eerie Gothic motifs, visually gifted director, Nicolaou injects a little extra vampire venom into his hallucinatory, blood-curdled bacchanal of profane vampire lust, malevolent sorcery, and thrilling melodrama. Dramatically set against the stunning, medieval majesty of doomy Vladislas castle, Radu's tormenting quest to secure, Michelle's love descends madly into a relentless cavalcade of savage subterranean set horrors!...as for this especially craven plasma prizing princeling, The Bloodstone is thicker than water!

Not only is 'Bloodlust: Subspecies III' yet another fabulously fright-packed Full Moon phantasmagoria, but proof rhesus positive that, Nicolaou's sanguineous Subspecies series is now the reigning apex predator of Gothic horror. The malign, Radu being the pallid crowned prince of DTV vampire villainy! No longer shall this grim-faced, long-fingered fratricidal fiend be confined to the shadowy, mildewed catacombs of Vladislas Castle, Radu deserves to be immortalized as a Gothic Horror icon. Radu, you are simply tomb much vampire for the daylight world to ignore!

Enjoyable if flawed Gothic vampire tale

[kannibalcorpsegrinder · 8/10 · 23 May 2018]

After escaping from the vampire lair, a woman continues the search for the deadly vampire and his bride in her sister with the help of her friend only to have the local authorities disbelieving in their story which complicates matters until they finally are forced together to stop them.

This was an enjoyable if somewhat flawed entry. Once again, this one manages to get plenty of mileage out of its Gothic trappings, which are kept to a high majority of the time throughout here. The opening resurrection ceremony, featuring the demonic hag performing the ritual on the girl by slicing her arm and using the blood to reanimate the other vampire or the discovery of the bloodied and mangled bodies from the previous encounter gives this a great start, and the use of them flying away out from under the investigators eyes is a solid and engaging ploy. Keeping the vampire and his mummified mother on-screen for a large portion of this section as he attempts to teach her the ways of the vampire like she wanted gives this a kind of enjoyable entrance into the whole affair. Those training sessions offer some rather fine moments being held in the candlelit room which adds to the atmosphere of him training her before eventually forcing her to drink from the city girl he captured for her. That also leads nicely into the final half where it really manages to let loose with some fine action in the assault on the impenetrable lair high inside the castle walls with their initial scaling of the walls and the resultant firefight with the mummy before having the tables turned and leading into the fun of the vampires being awakened which gives way to them being captured and tortured by the two. Even without the frantic actions and confrontations throughout here, the violence and gore manages to hold off enough to really work quite a lot to really like here. It does have a few rather noticeable flaws throughout here though. The main issue holding this one down is the fact that there's not a whole lot of real vampire action in here unlike the others in the series. The middle portion of the film descends into an endless series of either investigation scenes with the two trying to look into the history of the vampires in the area while avoiding the authorities or scenes of him trying to teach her how to be a vampire. While there's some fun to be had with the idea of her out stalking those around the city and upsetting the community which in turn leads into their distrust of the investigation, that this is what the movie descends into leaves it not all that exciting for a large portion of the running time which is somewhat frustrating. As well, the film manages to spend a great deal of time worrying over the grave seriousness of finale but it just drags it all out to endless degrees which severely reduces their impact as it features a ton of elements that pad this one out quite heartily, from their turning on each other to the escape attempt and finally leading into the actual way out of the castle which is far longer than necessary. Otherwise, there's not much to dislike here.

Rated R: Graphic Violence, Nudity and Language.

A solid if somewhat familiar continuation of the series.

[dsullery · 8/10 · 29 May 2023]

Bloodlust : Subspecies III is a strong, well crafted continuation of the franchise that only suffers in comparison to its predecessors due to the inevitability of familiarity. By now, we know Michelle - the college student villainous Radu has transformed into a burgeoning vampire - will struggle against her increasingly insatiable bloodlust. Because this film follows the pattern of part II and picks up immediately after the events of the film prior, we know her sister Rebecca and US Embassy agent Mel Thompson will try to rescue her from the undead. And we're pretty sure it's going to end with Radu suffering some manner of gruesome death.

What elevates Bloodlust is a shift in focus that cleverly sidesteps the tendency for trilogy chapters to go on autopilot and just repeat the same beats. Even better, it manages this while moving the story forward.

This time around, the focus is on Radu attempting to teach Michelle his ways and the bizarre, unnatural bond that begins to form between them as he draws her further in.

In this film we learn about the violent history behind the relationship between Radu's father and his sorceress mother, the now mummified walking corpse guiding his quest for power. As Michelle finds herself further under his sway ( while his mother urges him to destroy her) , Rebecca and Mel join with the local chief of police and attempt to get her away from Radu and destroy the evil of Castle Vladislas once and for all.

Once again, Ted Nicolaou delivers the goods directing. He's clearly in his element by this point in the franchise and keeps the pace moving while also finding new and intriguing ways to keep things fresh. Indeed, one of the best sequences of the entire franchise unfolds in this film as Radu and Michelle take to the streets of a Romanian town, where he shows her how to hunt.

Anders Hove is as compelling as always as Radu, but he also manages to invest the character with a little more personality this time around. There are moments when this unspeakably monstrous spectre is unexpectedly vulnerable.

Denice Duff continues to invest Michelle with the humanity and angst that makes the character so sympathetic and both Melanie Shatner and Kevin Spirtas are as engaging as before returning in their roles as, respectively Rebecca and Mel. Special mention should also be made of Pamela Gordon, who returns as Radu's ancient mother and does an incredible job investing the character with malice and vanity in an expanded role.

As is is always the case with the Subspecies films, III benefits from fantastic location shooting. In particular, the aforementioned night time hunt takes place in the streets of a city and it's a marvel to behold. There's a visual consistency to these movies their bigger budgeted contemporaries cannot equal. They're just plain terrific to look at.

Bloodlust isn't the best of the franchise - I hold II in that spot - but it's a creative and accomplished sequel in its own right. As I did with Bloodstone, I found myself enjoying this a little bit more than the original. It's a fun movie and a satisfying conclusion to what was then a trilogy.

**** 1/2 out of *****.