Bloodstone: Subspecies II

I was given the chance in 2019 and sit down to watch three movies of the "Subspecies" franchise, which I did and watched them in rapid succession of one another.

First of all, I must admit to being so very thrilled and content with the fact that "Bloodstone: Subspecies II" is a direct and continuous sequel to the first "Subspecies" movie. By that I mean that this sequel picks up exactly where the first movie left the audience hanging. I enjoyed that tremendously, and it is rare that you actually see that done in movies.

I found "Bloodstone: Subspecies II" to be equally entertaining and the first "Subspecies" movie and subsequently also as the third movie in the franchise as I watched that directly after having finished "Bloodstone: Subspecies II".

The Radu character, once again portrayed by Anders Hove - and done so with so much grace and perfection I might add, is fleshed out, pardon the pun, in greater detail in this sequel. While the storyline is a continuation of the first movie, we still get a much more in-depth look into whom the Radu character is, what drives him and how he came to be as he is.

While these "Subspecies" are within the horror genre, they are not actually based on being scary or being able to make the audience cringe from gore and violence and jump out of their seats from a myriad of jump scares. No, this franchise is based on character development and a continuous plot and storyline. And that really carries the movies quite some way.

They definitely upped their game in terms of make-up and special effects in this 1993 sequel to the original 1991 "Subspecies" movie. And while it wasn't sorely needed, it made for a more enjoyable viewing of course.

I thoroughly enjoy the "Subspecies" franchise, and I find the Radu character to actually be the most memorable vampire character that I have seen throughout all the vampire movies I have watched over the past three decades give or take.

If you have not yet gotten acquainted with the "Subspecies" franchise and the long-fingered monstrous Radu character, I can definitely strongly recommend that you do so if you are given the chance.

Michelle (Denice Duff) escapes the castle of Radu (Anders Hove) with the sacred bloodstone, which contains the blood of the saints. In Bucharest, she contacts her sister for help (Melanie Shatner), who flies in ASAP, but Radu has followed Michelle to the city, coveting the artifact and her.

"Bloodstone: Subspecies II" (1993) is the second of four films released between 1991-1998, not to mention a spinoff flick. A fifth installment finally surfaced in 2023. They're gothic horror in the modern-day similar to Dracula flicks, just with a different antagonist. "Subspecies," incidentally, was the first American film to be shot in Romania after the breakdown of the Iron Curtain, filmed in September-November, 1990. This one was shot in 1992. Romania, incidentally, was the sole country in Eastern Europe to overthrow its socialist government with violence.

"Bram Stoker's Dracula" was released the year between the first movie and this one. The difference is that Coppola's blockbuster had more money to work with and was shot in the studio in Los Angeles whereas these "Subspecies" flicks used actual ancient ruins, castles and woodland areas of Romania. In short, they're great Gothic flicks for authentic Carpathian atmosphere.

Like Coppola's movie, the tone is totally serious and the vampires are revolting. Radu is like a meshing of "Nosferatu" (1922/1979) mixed with Marvel's Morbius. He could've been the lead singer in a black metal band in the 90s. Speaking of metal, the band in the nightclub is 13 Ghosts and the two songs they play are "Death of Innocence" and "Beneath the Gravestone."

As far as the women go, Irina Movila stood out in the first movie as Mara, but she's absent here. As such, Denice Duff carries the story on the feminine front, replacing Laura Tate as Michelle from the 1991 film. There are a couple tasteful bits of nudity concerning Michelle, but no sleaze. Melanie Shatner, William's daughter, plays second fiddle to Denice, but she's strapped with an unappealing short haircut. Meanwhile Pamela Gordon as the grotesque "Mummy" is a creative touch.

The diminutive stop-motion creatures from the first movie only appear near the beginning.

Of the first two movies, I prefer the first, but this one is a quality continuation of the story, albeit very simple. Of course, simplicity is the composer's greatest tool.

The film runs 1 hour, 26 minutes, and was shot entirely in Romania, including Corvin Castle in Hunedoara and Bucharest.

GRADE: B-/B.

Bloodstone: Subspecies II is a horror film directed by Ted Nicolaou. The film stars Anders Hove, Denice Duff, Kevin Spirtas, Melanie Shatner, Michael Denish, Pamela Gordon and Ion Haiduc.

When Michelle disappears, her sister Rebecca begins searching for her and discovers she must battle a love-starved vampire and his minions.

Usually C grade films are big disappointment but this film is an exception, where first part of this film was good second part follows the first part effectively and is a decent entertainer just like it's predecessor.

The plot is good and screenplay is gripping. The film will keep the viewers intact although special effects are disappointing.

Acting in the film is good and Anders Hove was the most impressive of them all. Rest of the cast supported well.

Cinematography was average and could've been better and climax sets a great foundation for third part.

Overall this is not a typical C grade film and this film entertains.

I got the great opportunity last night to see all the Subspecies movies, normally when you get into the sequels, they're disappointing and you don't get into them, they also ruin the series. But thankfully Bloodstone: Subspecies 2 is a different story. This is a fun sequel that really develops a story instead of the typical bite and gore vampire film. We get a little closer insight of Radu's history, who he is and how he has become Radu, also that he has mortal feelings at times, especially for his new protégé, Michelle. The reason why this series is so interesting I think is because it provides the scares while going into a very interesting story about vampires and makes it a great night for horror movies.

Radu is back, after arising from his decapitation, well, you'll have to see how they pull it together, he finds his brother, Stephan resting and kills him. He goes to another coffin to find Michelle, who is waiting for her transformation of being a vampire, but before Radu can kill her, the sun comes up and burns him, he runs, Michelle grabs the bloodstone and gets as far away as she can. Megan, her sister, has come to Romania to find Michelle, but finds out about Michelle's new... life style.

Bloodstone: Subspeices 2 goes deeper and isn't the typical horror movie, it has a great story. It of course still delivers on the good scares, of course mostly due to Radu and how chilling his performance is. Then his mom comes into the scene and makes The Mummy look like Madonna with that chilling look. We are family in this sequel, it's fun and definitely worth the look, this is such a cool series to get into, I recommend it for the horror genre fans.

7/10

This film picks up right where the first film left off. Brand new vampire Michelle must flee Castle Vladislas after the eternally slobbering Radu kills her lover, the Good Vampire Stefan (no great loss, really). Michelle has not gone away empty handed however; the life-giving Bloodstone is now in her possession, and Radu wants it back. Finding Michelle is no problem, but killing her (as he had originally intended) proves much more difficult as the hideous Radu decides he wants both the Bloodstone and Michelle for his own.

Denice Duff is quite good as the new Michelle here, stalking victims in humid European nightclubs with a seductive coldness, while at the same time desperately trying to deny the murderous impulses which disgust her. She is heartbroken without being whiny, tragic and lost but refusing to be anything other than what she has become. Her scene in the hotel is one of the best in the film, as she cries herself to sleep and then wakes up screaming as the full light of morning comes burning through her window, forcing her into the cold refuge of the shower stall where she is later discovered, presumed dead and carried off in a body bag, only to awaken at dusk in full panic once more.

New characters include Michelle's sister from America, responding to Michelle's desolate and panicked phone call. Joining her later are a young police detective and a Van Helsing-ish man who leads them to Castle Vladislas. Radu's "Mummy" is here as well, a cackling lawn gnome of a woman who is in desperate need of some Oil Of Olay. But Michelle and Radu always remain central, Radu disgusting in his cruelty and yet almost pathetic in his newfound love for the pretty Michelle; Michelle horrified and yet drawn to the ancient vampire who was responsible for making her what she is. Their relationship is most unique, a true Beauty and the Beast pair.

While not as Gothically creepy as the first Subspecies, Bloodstone is still a strong entry in the series, visually compelling and with a good, strong storyline to boot. All the actors are earnest and believable simply because (with the exception of the Immortal Michelle and her icy-white radiance) they are approachable looking, attractive without being blindingly so. And then there's Radu...

Radu is the main reason I am as big a fan of these films as I am. He is gross, manicure-impaired, ugly as all hell (literally!), and yet he's also aristocratic and cunning with a wicked sense of humor and an intelligence that has escaped most new vampires. He's not ashamed of who or what he is. He enjoys his cruelty, and his bloodlust and his eagerness to show Michelle the ropes is like the worlds most perverted Hallmark card. It's great! I said it before and I will say it again: Radu is what a vampire should be, and his presence makes these films totally enjoyable. 8 stars out of 10 for this one.