Night of the Bastard is a 2022 American horror about a recluse who has to defend an injured woman from a sinister cult.
Directed by Erik Boccio, making his feature directorial debut after many shorts, from a screenplay co-written by Christian Ackerman and Chuck Foster, based on a story co-written by Erik Boccio and London May.
The Your Funeral-Brutal Realty Productions-Black Vortex Cinema co-production stars London May (The Dark Knight Rises), Mya Hudson, Hannah Pierce, Henry Mortensen, Victoria Goodhart, Wesley Doloris, George Garcia, Eric Spudic, Cesar Cipriano, Philip J Rossi, Avery Joy Davis, Luke B. Carlson, Talia Martin, Mig Windows, Sam Ashrafuzzman, Richard Follin, Ken May and Christopher McEvoy
Plot synopsis:
After an injured young woman takes refuge in his secluded home, a gruff recluse must fight off a bloodthirsty cult and an insatiable sorceress to save both of their lives. A battle to survive becomes a gripping race against the clock to escape a perverse ritual of blood and flesh…
Release:
Night of the Bastard premiered at Frightfest in London on August 26, 2022.
In the US, Dark Sky Films will release Night of the Bastard theatrically in select locations, On-Demand (VOD) and Digital on January 13, 2023.
Reviews:
” …goes for suspense laced with dark comedy rather than all-out jokiness and Night of the Bastard is better for it – though it’s in the ballpark of many 1970s killer cult items, it has its own original feel, mostly thanks to May’s grungy, pained, miseryguts-who-has-to-take-a-stand performance.” The Kim Newman Web Site
“Night of the Bastard is an action horror that never holds back on the violence, despite having a character who is afraid of blood […] When it comes to seeing everything unfold, it does have a relentless nature, once everybody is unleashed to do what they want.” 4 out of 5, Movie Reviews 101
“Thankfully all is explained as the film’s denouement approaches, as secrets are revealed and the truth of this siege on Reed’s home and the attack on Kiera and her friends becomes clear […] Night of the Bastard reveals all as the insanity of this 70s-themed brutal, bloody, and brilliant grindhouse-esque horror reaches its killer crescendo.” 4 out of 5, Nerdly
“As all the twists are gradually unknotted and the narrative pieces fall into place, what remains is a classic confrontation between good and evil, presented as a close, bloody scrap in the desert, where the mundane and the mythic meet on the horizon, and where even demonic destiny can be damned to hell.” Projected Figures
“For a film shot largely with a hand-held camera, it never felt like a shaky-cam-found-footage film. Eric Baccio is fond of lots of quick cuts, but you never get lost in his visual storytelling. The gore is well-executed and nasty. This is Baccio’s first film, and it is also the largest film vehicle for all of the actors involved, so it is understandably rough around the edges.” 3 out of 5, The Scariest Things
“As the film’s villain, Hannah Pierce is enjoyably nutty, especially as the film enters its demented final phase and big revelations are made. Night of the Bastard is a grimy, brutal take on the ‘70s action thriller. It wears its grindhouse influences on its sleeve, but delivers enough unique touches of its own to stand out from the crowd.” 4 out of 5, Starburst
“The script does have a couple of twists to update it and avoid being a total rehashing of grindhouse tropes, but for the most part, it sticks close to its roots. It also avoids adding digital scratches and film damage, for which I am extremely grateful […] On the downside, some of the acting is a bit rough and screamy and the dialogue matches it.” 4.5 out of 5, Voices from the Balcony
YouTube reviews:
Trailer:
Filming locations:
Lancaster and Wonder Valley, California
Technical specs:
1 hour 22 minutes
Working title:
Marlon
