BLOOD BEAT (1983) is a strange and low budget slice of supernatural horror hailing from rural Wisconsin. It was released straight-to-video and I remember owning the old chunky pre-certificate VHS tape back in the day. These days, it can be viewed (in high def!) on Amazon Prime. The story involves a group of characters holing up at a remote farmhouse for a hunting trip, only to encounter the spirit of a vengeful samurai warrior intent on slice them up with his katana...
The promise is certainly an engaging one but it's the execution where this one falters. Very little happens for the first two-thirds, apart from a little atmosphere building. I was put off by the extremely amateur performances from the main cast members, there are no good actors here! Once the spirit shows up it all starts to kick off and get more interesting, building to an effects-fuelled climax that works to a moderate degree.
The promise is certainly an engaging one but it's the execution where this one falters. Very little happens for the first two-thirds, apart from a little atmosphere building. I was put off by the extremely amateur performances from the main cast members, there are no good actors here! Once the spirit shows up it all starts to kick off and get more interesting, building to an effects-fuelled climax that works to a moderate degree.