Film Review: Stake Land (2010)
Stake Land (2010). Co-written and directed by Jim Mickle. The film is set in a post apocalyptic USA that has been overrun by vampires. The film starts with a teenage boy (Connor Paolo) escaping his family who have been attacked by vampires. He meets up with Mister (Nick Damici), a vampire hunter. Both travel together to try and find somewhere they can escape the vampires. Stake Land feels like a blend of Zombieland and The Road, but without the stylings and silly cameo of the former, and not quite all of the grimness of the latter, albeit not far off. The story moves along at a reasonable pace, maintaining a good balance of atmosphere and content. The story is not for the sensitive though, with such topics as raped nuns. The vampires in question feel more like a mix of zombie and vampire than those we're used to seeing on film, but they are still killed with a stake to the heart or via a suntan. Paolo and particularly Damici give good performances. The soundtrack is also good, and fits well with the film. Those who enjoy small story driven horror should enjoy it. 4/5 (Good)