Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Eight Eyes Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 11, 2024

“Eight Eyes” is one of the first films produced by Vinegar Syndrome. The company has been specializing in bringing obscure pictures to Blu-ray and UHD for over a decade now, typically focusing on grungy, hyperviolent exploitation cinema that would otherwise be forgotten. Their support for “Eight Eyes” makes sense, as co-writer/director/editor Austin Jennings is out to create a mean B-movie that’s filled with rough locations and menacing characters, sold with plenty of gory events. All kinds of hostility and hopelessness is present in the endeavor, but Jennings comes up short when crafting an engrossing journey into doom, with much of the feature lacking a sharper sense of threat, generating an uneventful viewing experience.

Cass (Emily Sweet) and Gav (Bradford Thomas) are a married couple making their way across Belgrade, stopping to crash a wedding as they continue their tour. Gav is making a Super 8 record of their travels, which catches the attention of Saint Peter (Bruno Veljanovski), a party guest and local curious about the twosome and their adventures. Volunteering himself to be their guide, Saint Peter pulls Cass and Gav off the tourism path, taking him to his small town to spend the night in an old munitions factory, giving them a taste of the real Serbia. Cass quickly rejects the experience, and Gav soon disappears, putting her on the hunt for answers, while Saint Peter is eager to introduce the American woman to his “family.”

Shot in Serbia, “Eight Eyes” certainly has the benefit of authenticity, with Jennings sending his characters around neighborhoods, train stations, and more threatening areas. Gav and Cass begin their journey with a certain level of optimism, but it doesn’t take long before Saint Peter enters the feature, with the burly man and his one clouded eye presenting himself as a helpful local looking to give Gav something to shoot with his camera. This commences a mild game of intimidation, as Cass doesn’t like the very presence of Saint Peter, though Gav responds more positively, enjoying his new drinking buddy. The stranger is very protective of Serbian history and a bit hostile as well, putting Cass on a mission to distance herself from Saint Peter as she tries to talk sense into her husband and make her way back to New York City.

“Eight Eyes” tracks growing hostility between Cass and Saint Peter, who always seems to be around. What follows is the usual in B-movie adventuring, as Jennings summons the gods of exploitation cinema from the 1970s to inspire horrors to come. Italian shocker atmosphere is common, but “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” seems to be the primary influence on “Eight Eyes,” as Cass is soon introduced to Saint Peter’s “family,” which includes “Wax Baby,” a naked, obese man wearing a wax mask on the hunt to find more “sisters” for his collection.

Eight Eyes Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Eight Eyes" is listed as "Shot entirely on motion picture film and finished in 4K." The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) delivers a wonderfully film-like viewing experience, with heavy grain throughout. Detail reaches as far as possible, capturing skin particulars and heavy costuming, and the roughness of Wax Baby mask is appreciable. Locations retain depth, examining ominous spaces, and interiors are open for inspection. Color is rich, with distinct reds, and the cooler hues of the autumnal, industrial settings are preserved. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition, with elements of damage likely intentional to help sell the look of the movie.

Eight Eyes Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a comfortable listening event for "Eight Eyes." Dialogue is sharp, working with heavy accents and performance choices. Music supports with crisp instrumentation, developing travel and survival moods. Instruments played in the film are also defined, with a jaw harp strummed later in the feature. Sound effects are distinct.

Eight Eyes Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director/editor Austin Jennings, producer Justin Martell, and co-writer/animator/sound recordist Matt Frink.

• "Production Diary" (18:32, HD) offers a fly-on-the-wall examination of the "Eight Eyes" shooting experience, exploring the arrangement of shots, the mood of the actors, and technical challenges along the way.

• "It's an Experience" (14:15, HD) is an interview with actor Bradford Thomas, who was approached by longtime friend, producer Justin Martell, to join the production of "Eight Eyes," soon off to Serbia for the shoot, which added to his character's disorientation. Assembled during the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-production was achieved through video conference meetings, with Thomas finally interacting with cast and crew when filming began. The interviewee details the atmosphere on-set, handling the challenges of working with an international crew, also exploring his feelings about the violence of the material, especially involving his character.

• "Answering Honestly" (12:27, HD) is an interview with actor Bruno Veljanovski, who was brought on to the production of "Eight Eyes" by producer Justin Martell, building on their previous interactions. Locations are highlighted as script changes were completed, and co- stars are explored, with rehearsal work developing on-screen tensions with his fellow actors. Memories from the taxing shoot are also detailed.

• "So Much to Love" (14:16, HD) is an interview with actress Emily Sweet, who joined the production of "Eight Eyes" thanks to her connection to producer Justin Martell. Characterization is examined, with Sweet eager to portray the part, and she describes the preparation period over video conference and the actual shoot, which had to move fast due to budgetary limitations and technical demands. The interviewee shares some memories from her time on-set, handling scenes of violence and battling the cold weather of the locations.

• "A Piece of History" (16:01, HD) is an interview with co-producer Seegar Dixon, who examines the shooting experience in Serbia, sharing a string of flavorful tales involving the locals and locations.

• "Doing Cowboy Shit" (18:44, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Sean Dahlberg, who explores the "courage" of shooting on film. This is a technical conversation, with the interviewee detailing his experience capturing "Eight Eyes" and managing camera challenges along the way.

• "Idea Man" (12:09, HD) is an interview with co-writer/animator/sound recordist Matt Frink, who developed "Eight Eyes" with co-writer/director/editor Austin Jennings, working out the relationships in the movie, and its elements of horror. Originally intending to shoot in Ukraine, the production was moved to Serbia, requiring some changes to the script. Casting is celebrated, noting the range of the actors, and the fluid nature of the writing is highlighted. The sonic experience of "Eight Eyes" is also analyzed, along with plans for the animated elements of the feature.

• Interview (52:06, HD) is an extended discussion of "Eight Eyes" with co-writer/director/editor Austin Jennings, cinematographer Sean Dahlberg, and co-producer Seegar Dixon.

• And a Trailer (2:13, HD) is included.

Eight Eyes Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Eight Eyes" eventually delves into black magic and horrible things happening to innocent people, with Jennings hitting all the beats of torment the genre demands. Yet, there's a lifelessness to the endeavor the production can't shake, with the whole thing feeling more routine than inspired, like a cover version of a hit song. Bodies are destroyed, minds are melted, and the appeal of Serbian tourism suffers another blow, but "Eight Eyes" doesn't offer an energized vision for horror, as Jennings deals with low-budget issues and limited performances. His intent is clear, paying tribute to a specific kind of cinematic atmosphere, but execution is lacking in a movie that's a little too limp to really disturb.