In 1991 Full Moon Pictures released the direct-to-video vampire horror movie Subspecies. Directed by Ted Nicolaou (The Dungeonmaster), starring Angus Scrimm (Phantasm) as King Vladislav and shot on location in Romania, it utilized stop-motion and rod puppet techniques for the creature effects. Initially, the minions were to be played by actors, but Nicolaou didn’t like the look, feeling it was overacted, and brought in David Allen (The Howling, The Stuff, Flesh Gordon) for visual effects to instead create stop motion puppets. Subspecies has since gone on to spawn four sequels and a spin-off, with this fifth sequel on the way from Full Moon Features.
Recently, the latest installment in the Subspecies franchise burst onto the big screen, courtesy of the Alamo Drafthouse. “We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership,” says Charles Band, Full Moon Features founder and SUBSPECIES V: BLOODRISE producer. “This is a rich, Gothic, visually striking horror movie and I’m thrilled that our fans will have the chance to see it on the big screen, where it belongs!”
Let’s take a look at the synopsis.
The frightening fifth entry in the FMF cult-classic Subspecies franchise, renowned as one of the most famous vampire film series of all time, follows the descent of Radu (once more played by series regular Anders Hove) from a noble warrior of the Church to a depraved, blood-hungry creature of the night. Stolen by crusaders on the night of his birth from his demon mother and vampire father, Radu grows up with no knowledge of his monstrous bloodline. Trained and exploited by a brotherhood of mystic monks to slay all enemies of the church, fate brings him back one night to his father’s castle, armed with the monster-slaying Sword of Laertes, to destroy the vampire Vladislas and reclaim a holy relic, the Bloodstone.
Radu is back, baby! Filmed in Serbia, utilizing historical castles and ruins, and co-starring original series star Denice Duff, this marks a stunning return for Radu fans. If you missed that limited Alamo release, fret not! We have an exclusive sneak peek for you.
You cannot deny your craving! Learn to feed, there’s no shame in it. We don’t know about you, but we’re feeling a little thirsty over here. Subspecies V: Bloodrise is directed by series mainstay Ted Nicolaou (Terrorvision), making Subspecies a rarity, in that it is one of the only horror franchises in which the same director helms every entry. Now that you’ve got your sneak peek in, you can catch the whole bloody endeavor when it makes its digital debut on FullMoonFeatures.com and Screambox on June 2.
