Brutal

Brutal. (Lionsgate. 2007) Review by Brian Kirst

A serial killer is viciously decimating the female population of Black Water Valley. Don’t ya just hate that?!? Of course, young deputy Zoë Adams (a passionate Sarah Thompson) is on the case, determined to piece together the clues and capture the bloodthirsty savage before he strikes again. As expected, ambivalent superiors and romantic complications hamper her heartfelt enquiries. The fact that she may be the next bosomy item on the twisted killer’s menu also provides another major stumbling block for this winsome, determined rookie.

As one can probably surmise, this is fairly standard horror film fare. It is accomplished here with a bit more fortitude than one may initially expect, though. For the most part, writer and director Ethan Wiley keeps things in this blackly humorous enterprise moving briskly along. His multiple plot points and twisted contrivances do eventually undermine him, but those simply seeking a fast paced timewaster may not mind too much.

He, also, offers genre veterans Jeffrey Combs and Michael Berryman a bit more than the standard maniacal characterizations to sink their fanged ivories into. Combs’ small town sheriff is initially presented as a conflicted, fairly realistic individual. Combs even provides him with enough forthright energy to make him a believable romantic counterpart for the young and beautiful Thompson. Unfortunately, by the ending moments, the script transforms Combs into just another wild eyed variant on stock psychotics. Still, the unexpected diversity is fun while it lasts. The luckier Berryman, on the other hand, is given his best role in decades. As a bloodhound specialist recruited by Thompson, Berryman offers a consistently intriguing, incredibly sensitive performance. Berryman, a modern horror film legend, deserves many more roles of this caliber.

As for the victims – they are pretty and often bloodily naked – with India Dupre’s outrageous Taffy and Whitney Anderson’s flummoxed Vicki registering with the most effective performances. Unfortunately, all of the perpetrated women are presented as thieves, scoundrels and exhibitionists. These characteristics may provide a momentary thrill, but do little to encourage sympathetic audience identification and support.

Ultimately, though, Wiley offers enough variants on a tried and true theme to make Brutal worth a look. Even his most ridiculously over the top moments provide entertainment on the level of purely ridiculous spectacle.