Sink your teeth into the underground sensation of horror with BLOODY BRIDGET, Richard Elfman’s latest monstrous masterpiece. With its US premiere at POPCORN FRIGHTS 2023, this film takes a gleeful bite out of the mainstream horror scene, offering a heart-eating, mythologically-brewed vampire tale that’s as campy as it is captivating. Anastasia Elfman pours her blood, sweat, and fangs into the role of Bridget, a performance artist turned heart-devouring vampire with a wicked sense of humor who tries to fight against the abusive patriarchy one bloody death at a time.
The poor and lovely Bridget dreams of writing and performing her own sexy horror-infused burlesque numbers, but unfortunately her only exposure to the stage is working in a gross bar for an even grosser boss. After a string of encounters with sexually abusive authority figures, Bridget finds herself in a surreal dream sequence where she meets Baron Samedi (Jean Charles). Samedi is a prominent figure in Haitian Voudou, and he serves as the master of the dead. But what does he want with Bridget? He claims they are married, and he turns his supposed bride into a Valentine Vampire in hopes she will return to him. However, being a Valentine vampire (vampires who eat hearts) proves far too delightful of an experience for Bridget to pass up, so she returns to the land of the living to strike some well-deserved vengeance. As Bridget takes on her blood-soaked crusade against deviants and wrongdoers, the film embraces the countercultural spirit of cult cinema. It’s a no-holds-barred exploration of bad taste, offering a politically incorrect yet genius commentary on the prejudices that plague our world.
Whenever a woman has a glamorous glow-up (no matter how bloody), she absolutely needs her gay bestie by her side, and Bridget is no exception to this rule. Working, dancing, and killing along-side our fang-tastic protagonist, we have Pepe (Marcos Mateo Ochoa), a mute illegal immigrant who provides the voice of reason and most of the exposition for the film. And to complete a cast that sinks its teeth into their roles, Bridget’s team of support also includes standout performances by Daniel Dershowitz Sr. (Richard Howland) and Jr. (Evan Eckenrode) as joke-a-minute lawyers. And even the director takes his turn in front of the camera, in perhaps not a recognizable role but definitely a memorable one. With such a curious combination of cast members, BLOODY BRIDGET unapologetically revels in its unorthodox nature. This unfiltered, uncensored rollercoaster refuses to hold back on its eccentricity, delivering exactly what it promises — no pretensions, just pure, visceral fun.
Prepare for a DIY delight as Elfman crafts a visually enchanting spectacle using practical effects that breathe life into every gory encounter. The film’s distinct music score, courtesy of Danny Elfman (Oingo Boingo) and Ego Plum (THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X), dances alongside the madness, enhancing the outlandish atmosphere. So, grab your popcorn, unleash your inner vampire, and dive into this wickedly hilarious and visually captivating extravaganza that proves horror is more than skin-deep — sometimes it’s all about sinking your teeth into the heart of the matter. If you’re a fan of Richard Elfman’s distinctive style, you’ll find yourself immersed in the diabolical delights of BLOODY BRIDGET.
Tags: Alejandro Patiño, Anastasia Elfman, Baron Samedi, Danny Elfman, Denise Milfort, Ego Plum, Evan Eckenrode, Jean Charles, Marcos Mateo Ochoa, Oingo Boingo, Paul Anthony Turner, Popcorn Frights, Popcorn Frights 2023, Richard Elfman, Rick Howland, Tom Ayers
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