| Bloodletting | |
| Director: | Matthew Jason Walsh |
| Distributor: | Tempe Video |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
Bloodletting is a 1997 American direct-to-video horror film written and directed by Matthew Jason Walsh[1] [2] and executive produced by J. R. Bookwalter.[3] The film was shot-on-video,[4] and stars James L. Edwards as Butch Harlow, a serial killer who is blackmailed by young woman Serena Stalin (Ariauna Albright) into taking her on as his apprentice.[5]
Bloodletting was preceded by a 1995 short film, I've Killed Before,[6] [7] also directed by Walsh and starring Edwards and Albright.
Cinefantastique and Video Movie Guide both commended the performances of the film's cast.[8] A reviewer for Fangoria described Bloodletting as having "a smart script, a playful sense of humor and a solid rapport between the leads", praising its editing and noting "plenty of amusing twists and gruesome FX".[9] John W. Bowen of Rue Morgue called the film "so much more tightly focused than most of its peers", writing: "If microbudget shot-on-vid horror is to remain viable, a lot of filmmakers would do well to study the ways in which Bloodletting compensates for its low production values with solid performances and tight scripting, neither of which costs a dime." The film received moderate praise from critic Joe Bob Briggs, who complimented its gore but asserted that it "ends up with a 'Who will they kill next?' plot that doesn't always hold your attention."[10]
On August 19, 2003, Bloodletting received a "special edition" DVD release by Tempe Video. In 2022, Tempe Digital and Makeflix restored and released the film on Blu-ray.[11]