Macabre…ish Horror Review: The Blade Cuts Deeper

I watched this surprisingly fun slasher by director Gene Dolders called The Blade Cuts Deeper. This movie hit a lot of points of nostalgia for me and I’m a fan. Everything, including the title and poster was one nod after another from so much cinema from my childhood. 

At first, I didn’t know what was happening or where we were headed until I spotted the familiar hints of the old true crime shows like Unsolved Mysteries. Including a host, reenactments of the crime, complete with terrible wigs and mustaches and honestly, it made me more curious and what was to come.

Then as the film unfolds we start to get hints of what’s in store for the star of the movie, the host of ‘Lights, Camera, Kill’, John Abbott who’s ego is much bigger than his show, with close up shots of gloved hands holding a trinket, very reminiscent of thrillers and horror of the 70s. It did stall out for a minute as the direction changes from the host of the show to members of his cast but even that made it feel very much like a 70s or 80s film that’s a little longer than it should be. 

As we get to the first kill, which is very gory and very graphic, it is pretty well confirmed that this flick is indeed inspired by horror movies of the 70s. The weapon scenes, the action sequences and the presentation of the killer is delightfully familiar and will be enjoyed by fans of older movies.

The pacing is a little slow but the kills are very nice, the fx artists did a good job! The kills alone, are worth at least one watch. Then you get you get to see that this brazen killer and a stack of bodies makes John nervous. Not because he’s in danger but because if this gets out, his show, his pride and joy, is over. And so is he and he knows it.

People who are more fans of modern horror might not love this one because it is a slow burn and the director makes us wait for answers and reveals. The reveal is pretty good and it ended in a very classic way. I really enjoyed this movie!

If you like Alice Sweet Alice, Psycho, My Bloody Valentine or a host of other slasher films of that era (70s & 80s), you might enjoy this UK slasher! Watch it with some friends, like I did and enjoy the gore and the nostalgia! It’s streaming now, go watch it.

Also, Gene Dolders will be a guest on my podcast, Macabre…ish Cults, Classics & Horrors soon, come back for a listen! And remember to support indie film.