AKA Harum Malam.
The last time I watched a movie revolving around any kind of blood flower it was the second Anaconda movie. While I enjoy that film a bit more than most people, it's not exactly fantastic. So I went into Blood Flower with a bit of trepidation. How scary can a flower-based movie really be? Even triffids don't terrify me like they used to.
Idan Aedan plays Iqbal, a young boy who we soon learn has a special gift. He can see spirits, which allows him to help his mother in healing those who are afflicted by them/possessed. Unfortunately, and this is very early on in the film, his mother dies, leaving Iqbal alone with his father (Bront Palarae), who would rather not battle any supernatural entities. Nobody has much say in the matter, however, when an evil spirit is let loose in their building, claiming a number of victims while Iqbal tries to figure out how it can be defeated.
Directed by Dain Said, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ben Omar and Nandita Solomon, this Malaysian horror is a real treat for those who want something that manages to be both spooky and gory, with the third act full of impressive and disturbing moments. Although the backstory revealed will have many thinking of the kind of thing we've seen many times before (usually in the films from Japan or Spain), everything is given a dark twist by the ferocity and scheming of the evil spirit at the heart of things.
Aedan is a good lead, and carries most of the movie on his young shoulders, whether he's being terrified, confused, or gathering the courage needed for a confrontation that anyone would want to completely avoid. He's believably vulnerable, yet also believable as the only one who might be able to put an end to the unfolding horrors. Palarae is decent support, although the film works better when scenes are full of children who are either more aware or more in danger than some of the adults. Remy Ishak plays Jamil, a pivotal character for a number of reasons, and also does a very good job, as do the likes of Nadiya Nissa, Eriza Allya, Amanda Ang, Nabila Huda, and Arnie Shasha, making up a decent variety of people directly affected by the horrific events.
With great pacing throughout (the runtime is a decent 102-minutes) and a lot of memorable imagery that will remind you of classic demon/possession movies without the film rigidly adhering to the way those elements have been presented in the past, this is a great viewing choice for horror movie fans. It gets very bloody and uncomfortable at times, so more casual viewers should be warned, and it's a completely satisfying work that puts a slightly different spin on familiar fare.
8/10
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