REVIEW - The Sanguine (Directed by Patrick McNerney and Daniel Jones)

This excellent film, produced and directed by Patrick McNerney and Daniel Jones (with the latter also writing and taking an on-screen role as The Elder) blends folklore with fantasy, creating a suspenseful and scary short.

With a running time of just under 25 minutes, and a plot which sees our protagonists The Elder (played by the afforementioned Daniel Jones) and his servant, Paul (played by Christian Jones) venture on a perilous quest, The Sanguine is a gripping and enjoyable watch.

The performances here, across the board, are pretty decent for the most part, which coupled with the use of well thought out wardrobe, props and locations not only makes the characters more real, but also conveys the seriousness and effort with which McNerney and Jones approached the making of this film.

The word 'sanguine' has several definitions, the list of which has expanded over time, with older, more traditional and archaic ones referring to blood-red, bloody or bloodthirsty - and it is from these defintions which the movie draws its name.

The synopsis for The Sanguine lays out very succinctly the premise as follows:

"A crestfallen master and outcast servant rob the grave of a long dead warlord to find he’s returned to defend it."

A breathy narrator with perfect diction sets the scene adding an air of mystery to the opening, with an almost ASMR quality to it; returning intermittently as the interesting and unnerving tale unfolds.

Our "long dead warlord", the titular entity The Sanguine is played by Josiah Brett who does a great job of bringing this terrifying character to life, and delivers a performance that will have the more fearful among its audience hidng behind their popcorn!

Some excellent B-roll and close-up shots are used to punctuate the film, with some particularly stylish and effective examples in the opening, including shots of a large spider, a skull, a snake, and old books and a warrior's helmet - all of which heighten the olde worlde history/fantasy vibes, while adding a sinister and eerie sense of mystery, as well as doing a good job of catching the viewer's attention.

The fight scenes are exceptional, with outstanding choreography - and special effects, which throughout the film blend CGI and practical effects with impressive results. Throw in a cool plot twist for good measure and this recipe has all the flavours of a decent short movie, which showcases wonderfully the collective creativity and ingenuity of the cast and crew.

Commenting on the completed work, McNerney expanded on the background of the story and plot, the genesis of the project, and his hopes for the finished film: "The Sanguine is a dark medieval fantasy-horror that uses allegory to explore fear, division, and the consequences of a society turning on itself. While rooted in genre and period, the themes are intentionally timeless." He added: "We hope audiences experience the film as a journey—one that lingers beyond its final frame."

This short film will be enjoyed by fans of fantasy films and horrors which are infused with aspects of history and folklore.