Cinema review
Directed byAlex Orr
Starring Mike Brune, Anna Chlumsky, Katie Rowlett
Release date TBC

In the near-future America is experiencing an oil shortage meaning that only the very rich can drive. However, a vegan schoolteacher builds an automobile powered by blood and when the most beautiful woman in town wants to ride in his car he needs a fresh supply of plasma…

Politically themed horror movies are nothing new, however rarely has any genre flick been quite so explicitly “of the times” as Blood Car. Taking the “blood for oil” motif literally, first time director Alex Orr has spun an absolutely hilarious satire that throws in South Park-type perversity and Evil Dead-style splatter while keeping its heart in the right place.

Also refreshing is the filmmaker’s decision to throw caution to the wind throughout (pet dogs, old age pensioners and even babies are all fed to the blood car), although everything is done with the intention of raising a laugh and making a statement. Not every gag works, but how can you hate a film where a bunch of FBI agents don’t mind sacrificing homeless people as long as it results in a bit more oil for the tank…?

Ultimately, how successful Blood Car is really depends on your acceptance of extremely risqué comedy set pieces. If you still rate Meet the Feebles as the best thing that Peter Jackson ever put his name to then this one is for you. Alternately heavy handed and hilarious, this is an extremely promising debut. Calum Waddell

VERDICT: 7/10
About as liberal a comedy-horror film as you are likely to see, this is bloody good fun.