Discover the Mysteries Once More in Subspecies V: Bloodrise

First, you must learn patience. We have all the time in the world.

-Radu Vladislas

The vampire has seen many forms and varied representations in films for over a century - ranging from the slow, romantic sensuous aristocrat to the savage, bestial monster, much akin to the zombie. Among them, one of the most iconic is Anders Hove’s portrayal of the nefarious Radu Vladislas in the Subspecies series from Full Moon Pictures. Subspecies has always existed in its own fugue, a unique alchemical potion of gothic horror, dark fantasy, and modern noir; while unabashedly wearing its Nosferatu influences on its sleeves, Subspecies nevertheless exists in its own sui generis, wholly unique in its stylized interpretation of the modern gothic vampire tale. 

The Subspecies films follow the desperate flight of fledgling vampire, Michelle [Denice Duff] as she seeks to escape her monstrous creator, Radu Vladislas [Anders Hove], a horrid vampire lord who seeks to regain the Bloodstone - a mythical relic imbued with powers that drips the blood of the Saints, which was stolen from him by Michelle. The five films (I am including the spin-off movie, Vampire Journals, which takes place in the same universe) stand as pylons for independent and low budget horror cinema, and strokes of stylized innovation can be found in every film of the franchise.

The year 1998 saw the release of Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm, and we fans of the franchise assumed our story was completed. Despite the many unanswered questions that remained, or the open-ended narrative threads that were proffered throughout the series, we bought our VHS and DVD sets, watched them repeatedly, and Time inexorably marched onward . . .

Until the year 2019 when it was announced that a new Subspecies was to be filmed, as part of the Full Moon Deadly Ten series of movies. COVID unfortunately put those plans on hold, but now, after fifteen years, we have a new installment in the series, and I can happily write that this was indeed worth the wait. As a final aside from this author, I will avoid spoilers in this review.

“You should fear me, child, because I am a monster.”

-Radu Vladislas

A recurring motif established by the Subspecies series (one might write “gag”, although I do not want to make light of the timbre of the movies) is the eventual gruesome death of Radu Vladislas, and the slow camera tracking shot toward his corpse where he will open his eyes, offering viewers the hint of a sequel. Writer and Director Ted Nicolau has chosen to tell the origin story of Radu Vladislas, making Subspecies V: Bloodrise a prequel to the saga, and this was honestly the best way for the franchise to continue.

Atmosphere has always been one of the greatest strengths of the Subspecies franchise, through the use of actual, on-location filming in Romania, the use of an actual castle, authentic Romanian cast, and unique sound design and haunting instrumentation - all of these elements combine to create the unique alchemy in the film series that only Ted Nicolau has been able to capture, and Time has not dulled his keen sensibilities. I would argue it has sharpened his abilities, if anything. What time (and circumstance) has changed, however, is the location. Due to usual and unusual circumstances that permeate every film, Subspecies V: Bloodrise was filmed in Serbia, and other than offering beautiful and cogent vistas that arrest the attention of the viewer one would never know the difference. The use of local cast and crew has been a hallmark of Full Moon, and this film is no exception, utilizing a pool of resources from the local area only adds to the mystique and character of the film - one again one of the aforementioned stylized flourishes that this series embraces and celebrates.

Bloodrise treats us with grand establishing shots of mountains, forests, and even Castle Vladislas, which made me smile upon seeing the real castle blended with a fantasy landscape - giving the story a broader sense of scale and scope. Anders Hove returns, giving us a gravelly narration as he reprises his role as Radu Vladislas, this time as staunch Crusader of the Roman Church.

Hove is not the only returning character, either, and fans will be delighted to see others in the series displayed or made mention - characters who were integral in the very first film, as well as others from later films; there is plenty of fan service given to longtime viewers, while also staying appealing for any newcomers to the series who may have not had the opportunity to see the other films. 

I will write again of atmosphere, because this is such a strength to the series at large, and I feel the desire to outline and appreciate certain stylish examples from Bloodrise that are noteworthy. Previous Subspecies films have all had their own inimitable stylized idiosyncrasies, borne from both low budget constraints as well as keen film making inspiration, and there are several notable flourishes in this one, as well.

The first example that comes to mind is the movement of the “fully turned” vampire. Their movements are sped faster during their interactions with humans; they stop to speak menacingly to the person, and then they flicker out of sight in cloud of black-laced miasma - to disappear and reappear instantly in another place, often on the other side of the human, causing one to retrace ones focus, and this is a brilliant flourish regarding the vampire, and I am explicitly referring to Circe [Yulia Graut] and her nefarious interactions with Radu, although these powers manifest themselves in each vampire as the story unfolds. 

Another example of vampiric powers displayed in the films is the famous “shadow walk”, where the vampires disappear into a shadow, falling into the background and then travel off-screen. While it may read as a boring transition, to see it in action proves how uniquely effective this technique is regarding scene transitions, and especially how simple of a trick it is. The “shadow walk” returns in Bloodrise, with some slight filigree to the method.

Setting has always been a strength for the Subspecies series, with its use of a Romanian castles and countryside, and gothic interiors, and Bloodrise is certainly not lacking in beautiful locations, albeit this time in beautiful Serbian countryside, forest, and villa; so clever is the set design that I am unable to discern real from fantasy, however that is the purpose of film, after all, is it not? We are treated to caves, forests, sepulchers, and even lavish Victorian living quarters, all with clever lighting and direction giving each locale a distinction all its own, despite the small budget of the film, and special kudos go to the cerw involved, as the every scene and every set piece was exceptional, and in fact helped to lure and lull the viewer (me) into the scene.

Concurrent with setting is the oblique use of narrative devices in the series. What would seem throwaway lines such as “The Mysteries”, and “child of a sorceress” are subtle cues woven throughout each movie that help add to the allure of the overall story. We are given hints and clues that there is much more to the universe of Subspecies than we are given, and much is left to our imaginations; Bloodrise has a really cool scene where Radu narrates his learning of certain powers, and uncovering what is coyly referred to as, “The Mysteries”.

Lastly, in the recitations of atmosphere, it would not be a Subspecies film without its use of “boobs and blood” - tasteful and sensuous displays of the former, and lavish glee the latter, both of which lend to the aforementioned alchemy that makes these films stand apart and alone from other contemporaries. Throats are opened, veins punctured, hearts stabbed and other gruesome delights abound in the story.

I surmise that Bloodrise was not written for newcomers to the Subspecies franchise, although not in an exclusionary way. However, it would certainly benefit the viewer to have seen all four and Vampire Journals to get the full story and timbre, as several characters make a return to this film, along with several key items. In particular a certain dagger and a certain blade, both of which were pivotal in prior films.

This is not to dissuade anyone from watching the movie, and I only feel that it will compel newcomers to the series to seek out and watch the previous films to understand the full nuance of the story of Bloodrise. Along with certain items returning to Subspecies, it was delightful to see the beautiful Denice Duff acting opposite Hove once again - theirs is a unique chemistry on screen that cannot be replicated and even Kevin Spirtas returns!

Presently, the film industry - and more specifically Hollywood - has chosen to vomit forth stale and trite cinematic enemas for over a decade, its cynical banality and disgusting hypocrisy couple with flagrant idiocy and lack of originality have only caused fans to recoil and laugh, maybe even abandoning their once-loved franchises, all while seeking entertainment from alternative avenues, rendering the once-lofty and proud ivory towers of cinema quivering husks of frightened and entitled hacks.

Reboots, retreads, rehashes, and “requels” have become as stale as the properties from which the studios have exsanguinated, much akin to a vampire’s victim, it seems. Full Moon has accomplished what those studios have failed - Subspecies V: Bloodrise is a prequel that delivers originality, stylish cinematography, fan service, and a continuance of great storytelling, all within a tight, clean seventy-five minute runtime, but the clever way the script was written makes the movie feel twice as long.

Watching this film made me realize how much I have missed this series, despite me having watched it nearly every Halloween season for the past decade. I will freely admit that I was terrified of this film. Subspecies is one of my favorite franchises, and Vampire Journals is perhaps my favorite vampire movie, and with only past examples of those aforementioned sequels, et al, I was afraid to see such a beloved franchise get mistreated and discarded after use.

I am happy to be proven wrong, and in fact, I hold this film as an example to others. This is how you write a new installment to a beloved franchise, and it is obvious the story was written by someone who both knows and cares for the source material. Fans of Subspecies rejoice, for Radu Vladislas stalks the screen once more, just as intimidating, and even more nefarious, and on May 15, 2023, Subspecies V: Bloodrise rises from the crypt to once more stalk the ancient lands and whisper of the Mysteries. Stay tuned to fullmoonhorror.com and fullmoonfeatures.com for info on where you can stream it. I feel certain you will be able to find it also on Roku and Amazon.

Thank you, Ted Nicolau, all the cast and crew, and Charles Band and Full Moon for delivering such a wonderful addition to one of my favorite franchises.

Subspecies V: Blood Rise

Starring Anders Hove, Denice Duff, and Kevin Spirtas

Directed by Ted Nicolaou

Written by Ted Nicolaou

Full Moon Features