Branded
Directed by Darla Enlow
Released: 2005
Starring: Trey Fillmore, Jamie Sworski, Dru Callis, Dana Pike, and Matt McHan
Running Time: 86 minutes

The popular metal band, Carnal Fear is returning to the studio to complete their next album with hopes of breaking the platinum mark which they missed with their last record. Problems arise quickly as lead singer, Mitch (Trey Fillmore), begins having blackouts and horrifying hallucinations. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the band’s drummer, Crash (Jamie Sworski), arrives at the house with a groupie named Katrina (Darla Enlow), who is quickly murdered by a mysterious killer wearing black gloves.

Tensions mount when a police detective (George Allen) discovers the body of Katrina floating in the lake. The band’s mega-bitch manager, Meagan (Dana Pike), is called in to deal with the situation. Meanwhile, the black-gloved killer is tormenting two bikini-clad wannabe Carnal Fear groupies and recording their screams on cassette. Who is this mysterious killer and how are Mitch’s visions connected with the brutal murders?

Darla Enlow (Toe Tags) directs Branded, a bloody blend of horror, heroin, and heavy metal. This is a tightly edited indie film which focuses less on gore and more on characterization. Sure, it has its share of disturbing visuals (employing reverse and negative photography) and cruel torture sequences but the film doesn’t rely on splatter effects to hold a viewer’s interest.

The actors do a pretty good job in Branded, able to hold their own during the mostly serious dramatic situations. Trey Fillmore is all right as Mitch but for a person on the edge of a mental breakdown, he’s too low key. Crash, played effectively by Jamie Sworski, is one of those perfectly irritating characters. It’s a great performance because Crash just begs to be kicked out of the band or strangled to death slowly. Unfortunately, the leggy and seductive Katrina played by Darla Enlow doesn’t get nearly enough screen time before she’s murdered.

Viewers looking for a hardcore horror film may be put out by the film’s tameness but the film is more twisted than gory. The killer’s methods, while not particularly bloody, are still quite cruel and very unusual. The band’s arguments seem petty but if you’ve ever been in a band or have seen an episode of "Behind The Music", then Carnal Fear’s tensions are all too familiar. Also, macho viewers should prepare themselves for the sentimental turn the film takes in its finale.

Indie horror enthusiasts should check out Branded. The gorehound in me was waiting for someone to get decapitated (Meagan) or disemboweled (Crash) but I was offered some solace in the fate of a nosy neighbor. This is quite a polished film for its budget and it’s clear that the filmmakers have some big aspirations. It will be interesting to see what Darla Enlow and company come up with next.

For more information go to Next Monkey Productions and Brain Damage Films.