Bloody Sect Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Bloody Sect Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 1, 2019

A Spanish production from director Ignacio F. Iquino, 1982’s “Secta Siniestra” is the kind of picture that is so focused on what it wants to be, it forgets how to actually be. It’s a clumsy endeavor with all kinds of technical sloppiness and an overall disregard for production polish, but the feature is determined to be a scary experience, and for some viewers, such magical filmmaking will just might be enough to pass. Approach it as refined cinema and “Secta Siniestra” is going to bring on a headache in the hurry. Enjoy it as B-movie nonsense, and there’s some amusement to be had with Iquino’s habitual refusal to acknowledge his creative limitations.

“Secta Siniestra” is a riff on “Rosemary’s Baby,” detailing growing household unrest as a woman becomes pregnant with Satan’s baby. Iquino actually lifts from many movies along the way, with the ending including a nod to “The Shining.” Most of the effort explores hysterics and strange, unhinged characters, which creates some appealing chaos, but not enough to cover the run time. “Secta Siniestra” is primarily valued for its lack of craftsmanship, with a bat attack featuring floppy puppets on visible wires, and there’s an elevator mirror explosion where the camera actually holds on the detonation devices for a few seconds before panning down to the bloody aftermath. As for the spawn of Satan? Well, that needs to be seen to be believed.

Bloody Sect Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a clean look at the bizarre highlights of "Secta Siniestra." Detail explores facial particulars, offering defined makeup work and aging highlights. Household events retain sharp decoration, along with hospital visits, making it easy to survey background additions. Costuming is textured, from the polyester smoothness of casual wear to heavier, thicker religious robes. Distances are dimensional. While the feature offers more of a darker appearance, colors do very well here, giving reds and blues real presence. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is film-like. Source is in decent shape, with some mild speckling and a few larger scratches encountered along the way.

Bloody Sect Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA offers a simple listening event, doing fine with dialogue exchanges, which register clearly enough, identifying ranges of panic without slipping into distortive extremes. Scoring offers enjoyable synth stings, contributing some heft to suspense needs. Sound effects are thickly rendered but appreciable, along with atmospherics, finding howling winds basically a supporting character in the movie.

Bloody Sect Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Kat Ellinger.

• Promotional Still Gallery (:52) collects poster art, VHS cover art, and lobby cars.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Bloody Sect Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Nothing really makes sense in "Secta Siniestra," which isn't chasing a narrative, just a series of scary moments and uncomfortable encounters. It's odd all around, and, again, this might be enough for those who appreciate wacky Euro-horror offerings. There's little else to hold attention.