Get ready for a gruesome blast from the past! A new horror film, Brute 1976, is slashing its way onto Blu-ray this November, promising a raw and terrifying experience reminiscent of the genre's golden age. But is it just another nostalgia trip, or something genuinely disturbing? Let's dive in.
Brute 1976, clearly inspired by iconic '70s horror flicks like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes, is set to arrive on Blu-ray (available for pre-order at https://amzn.to/4nPEHQA) on November 25th, courtesy of Cinephobia Releasing. Expect a gritty, no-holds-barred take on backwoods terror.
The film is directed by Marcel Walz (known for Blood Feast and Blind), working from a screenplay by his frequent collaborator Joe Knetter (who also penned Blind and Twilight of the Dead). This creative partnership suggests a consistent vision, but will it translate into a truly memorable horror experience?
For those who love getting behind the scenes, the Blu-ray release is packed with special features, including:
- Audio commentary with director Marcel Walz, writer Joe Knetter, and actors Robert Felsted Jr., Jed Rowen, and Dazelle Yvette. This promises to be an insightful look into the making of the film.
- Behind-the-scenes footage – always a treat for horror fans!
- Interviews with a whole host of actors: Sarah French, Robert Felsted Jr., Jed Rowen, Dazelle Yvette, Ben Kaplan, Alex Dundas, and even special effects artist Robert Kern. Get ready for some juicy stories from the set.
- The Theatrical Trailer – in case you want a quick peek before committing.
The plot itself is fairly straightforward, but it's the execution that matters. The year is 1976, and a group of people on a photo shoot venture into the desolate desert. They stumble upon an abandoned town called Savage. Big mistake! This isn't your average ghost town. A family of masked psychopaths has claimed Savage as their territory and they are determined to live up to the town's name. Think isolated location, unsuspecting victims, and a whole lot of carnage. And this is the part most people miss: the film seems to be playing with the idea of societal breakdown and the savagery that can lurk beneath the surface of even seemingly ordinary people.
The cast includes Adriane McLean, Sarah French (Blind), Gigi Gustin (The Retaliators), Adam Bucci (Halt and Catch Fire), Mark Justice, Robert Felsted Jr., Ben Kaplan, Dazelle Yvette, Bishop Ali Stevens, Jed Rowen (Blind), Alex Dundas, and Andreas Robens. A solid ensemble cast could really elevate the material.
But here's where it gets controversial... The film's heavy reliance on the aesthetics of classic horror could be seen as either a loving homage or uninspired imitation. Does it bring anything new to the table, or is it simply rehashing familiar tropes? What do you think?
If you're already hooked, you'll be thrilled to know that a sequel, Brute 1986, is currently in post-production (check out a first look at Tokio Hotel frontman Bill Kaulitz in the sequel here: https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3855046/first-look-at-tokio-hotel-frontman-bill-kaulitz-in-horror-throwback-brute-1986-exclusive/). This suggests the filmmakers are confident in their vision and are building a potential franchise.
So, are you ready to step back into the grindhouse era with Brute 1976? Will it be a worthy successor to the classics it emulates, or just another forgettable slasher? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Are you excited about this throwback or do you think the horror genre needs more originality instead of relying on past successes? Let's discuss!
