Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Satan's Blood Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 15, 2021

There’s an odd opening for “Satan’s Blood” that introduces the audience to the teachings of Professor Vasallo, an expert on dark magic and the occult. The picture promises “accuracy and authenticity” when dealing with black mass particulars, leading to an additional prologue that observes a Satanic ritual where the head priest, an old man, is offered an opportunity to grope and lick a young woman prepared for sacrifice. It’s at this point where any possibility for an evocative understanding of occult worship ends, pushed aside by the real creative goal of the movie: sexploitation. Director Carlos Puerto doesn’t dream big with “Satan’s Blood,” keeping things intimate with this study of evil influence and nudity. It begins like a college lecture and ends with Argento-style insanity, and somewhere in the middle is a mildly engaging chiller featuring at least two characters who have no concept of danger.

Taking a break in the city, couple Andy (Jose Maria Guillen) and Annie (Mariana Karr) decide to enjoy the sights and a movie before returning home. Four months along in her pregnancy, Annie is ready to have some fun, but the afternoon takes a strange turn when Bruno (Angel Aranda) and Mary (Sandra Albert) pull up next to them at a stoplight. Swearing they were old college classmates, Bruno talks Andy into following him to his rural mansion, looking to celebrate the reunion with wine and conversation. Such pleasantries are quickly dismissed, replaced by strange occurrences in the house when Andy and Annie are forced to spend the night, soon exposed to dark forces as Bruno and Mary reveal their interests in Satanism, looking for the visitors to join them on their journey of evil.

The academic opening for “Satan’s Blood” is bewildering, with such “research” never returned to in the film. Puerto has more of a horror feature in mind, creating unease as Andy and Annie agree to join Bruno and Mary for drinks, not fully understanding what they’re getting themselves into. There wouldn’t be a movie if the couple simply refused such a bizarre meeting (Bruno claims Andy has a grown a foot taller since college, which is the first red flag), and “Satan’s Blood” is filled with moments involving basic submission to a bad idea, which works for Puerto, but gives the audience the distinct impression that Andy and Annie are complete boobs, making their survival from situations they’ve willingly put themselves into hard to cheer for.

Matters grow from cordial to hostile for Andy and Annie, who are forced to stay the night, which initially involves an evening of Ouija table activity for the foursome, revealing painful secrets. Wicked sights are teased throughout “Satan’s Blood,” including cannibalism and murder, but the production is more interested in sexual submission, on view in a mid-movie orgy sequence that has the participants greased down with some sort of demonic lotion before embarking on an odyssey of pleasure and positions. This is where “Satan’s Blood” seem most alert, with Puerto lovingly detailing thrusting and rubbing, offering less attention to the genre aspects of the story, which involve shadowy men moving around the property and dangerous visions of Satanic violence.

Satan's Blood Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative," "Satan's Blood" delivers a strong viewing experience during the AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Hues are varied on costuming and household decoration, but reds are appealing here, offered in bloodshed and Satanic particulars. Ample skintones are natural, and greenery is intact. Street tours bring out a colder palette, reflecting the December shoot. Detail is strong throughout, capturing distinct skin surfaces and fibrous outfits. Rooms are dimensional, along with outdoor adventures in the city and country. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving shadowy encounters. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition, with a few damaged frames and mild speckling.

Satan's Blood Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix (presented in both English and Spanish dubs) leads with scoring cues, which are defined, offering louder organ stings for the main titles and more casual performance during travel sequences. Some fuzziness in the high end is detected. Dialogue exchanges are straightforward, maintaining intelligibility. Sound effects are acceptable without being precise.

Satan's Blood Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Samm Deighan and Kat Ellinger.

• "Satan's Blood: Recuerdos De Escalofrio" (46:55, HD) features interviews with director Carlos Puerto, actress Sandra Alberti, and editor Pedro del Rey. The production of "Satan's Blood" is explored, with the four week shoot in freezing locations challenging the cast, who were occasionally left in the nude. Changes to the material are highlighted, including the last-minute addition of two prologues and an extended ending, with producer Juan Piquer Simon taking over the shoot to finish the film. Perhaps most interesting is Alberti's candor during her conversation, discussing the pain of being dunked in a cold bath, her skin irritation with new carpeting, and her reluctance to take part in a sexual film (only learning about such content after she signed the contract). The initial release of "Satan's Blood" is also examined, with the picture performing quite well.

• Still Gallery (1:51) collects poster art, press kit pages, and lobby cards.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Satan's Blood Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Satan's Blood" doesn't sustain its early pacing, soon slowing down to deal with accusations and possible ghostly appearances, which aren't as enticing as direct threats. The conclusion goes haywire with surreal imagery and bursts of blood, making one wish such lunacy were present throughout the entire feature. Sadly, this explosion of doom is left to the end of picture. "Satan's Blood" has its highlights, always coming together when it delivers extremes in sexuality and violence. It's not a consistent ride of Satanic menace, with more than a few puzzling additions (the jazzy organ score from Librado Postor seems better suited for a baseball game at times), but the core viewing experience delivers enough B-movie wackiness to get by.