Subspecies V: Bloodrise was written as far back as when Subspecies IV was released in 1998. At that point, the franchise introduced numerous characters and elements that were perfectly fit for a prequel. Unfortunately, it took decades before Full Moon could produce the film as intended. But now that Subspecies V: Bloodrise is finally here – it was definitely worth the wait.
Anders Hove portrays Radu Vladislas – the key villain of the franchise. He’s been recognized by fans for his incredible performance which is totally unlike any other cinematic vampire. Now, with Bloodrise being a prequel, fans can see the character as never before.
This version of Radu is a crusader trained to slay other monsters. Unfortunately, Radu himself is a monster, having been the child of both a demon and a vampire. It isn’t long before Radu is cursed into becoming a vampire and thus the story of Bloodrise begins.
The film moves at an incredible pace to get this story started. In fact, one could say it moves a little too fast. But it goes to show just how great it is to spend time with these characters and learn their individual stories. Hove’s Radu is the key to all of these stories, with Hove masterfully playing the character in nearly every scene. For fans that want a healthy amount of Radu in their Subspecies films – this will have you covered.
A few other cast members from the film franchise, namely Denice Duff and Kevin Spirtas, also appear. Though they are playing different characters. With that said, Duff’s character, Helena, actually coincides with the events of the original films quite nicely. Furthermore, it’s a showcase of her acting skills being able to portray a completely different character.
The same can be said for Kevin Spirtas – who plays a version of King Vladislas, a character only seen previously in the original Subspecies. But he performs outstandingly, an impressive task for someone under heavy makeup. His screen presence, like Duff’s, are matched only by Hove’s.
Of course, the new faces in the film do a fantastic job as well. Serbian actors Staša Nikolić and Marko Filipović perform beautifully as siblings Ariel and Ash. They offer some of the most human elements of the film. Of course, being that Ash specifically is known for being a vampire in Subspecies IV and the spin-off Vampire Journals, their time as humans isn’t long. It’s at this point that some of the film’s most enthralling drama plays out.
Overall, Subspecies V: Bloodrise has a lot to offer. Fans of the franchise will be happy to see familiar faces and to learn more about them. New viewers will likewise be drawn into the story. It’s a great introduction to the franchise and an even better conclusion. Of course, given the lifespan of this story, one can only hope that there will be more Subspecies tales to come.