Deadly Blessing

Some obscure films should stay buried deep in the movie vaults. Wes Craven's "Deadly Blessing" is a prime example, a dire misfire featuring numerous subplots that end up nowhere.

Craven's films are either hit or miss: for every hit like "Scream" there is also the dud that is "My Soul to Take." "Deadly Blessing" falls into the latter category and Craven can't decide whether his 1981 film is a slasher, a supernatural thriller, or a tepid drama.

The incoherent plot has to do with the Amish and their plight to keep outsiders away, in this case Martha (Maren Jensen), who's recently deceased husband was part of the Amish's religious cult.

When Martha's friends come to visit (one of whom is future star Sharon Stone), strange things start to occur, such as tarantulas and snakes appearing out of nowhere. Then there's the dreaded mysterious cloaked figure stalking the girls. And just why does Lisa Hartman keep popping up?

These and other questions are never answered...Craven shoots "Deadly Blessing" nicely enough, set in the fall with autumn colors vividly shown on the Blu-ray. But it's his pointless set pieces (one which mimics Craven's own "Nightmare on Elm Street") which bog the film down in nonsense.

Luckily, the Blu-ray is saved by an hour of special features. Interviews with actress Susan Buckner and screenplay writers Glen Benest and Matthew Barr are split into two special features. Craven does a nice audio commentary, offering up just what the hell this movie is about. TV spots use the marketing campaign of featuring the spiders that are used for silly visuals in the film.

"Deadly Blessing"
Blu-ray
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