- DVD Release
A few weeks back I received a screener for a film called Blood Ranch from Xenon Pictures. Despite being a small company, Xenon impressed me with their little low budget horror film but the real question was, “Could they do it again?”
In my opinion, they not only have a fun low budget film on their hands with Headhunter, but it’s original! That’s right…original! How many of you are constantly duped into renting or purchasing a film that looks original only to discover it’s almost identical to 43 films you already own? It happens to the best of us.
As horror fans, we’re constantly on the look out for something new and original. We want to be scared and disturbed or at the very least…entertained. If filmmakers aren’t going to give us horror that steps on toes and pushes buttons, the least they could do is entertain us, right? You all know the score, if they’re not going to give us an original and engaging story then ante up the bare skin and red stuff.
Well, director Paul Tarantino has not only given us “bare skin and red stuff” but he’s also given us a cool concept. Headhunter held my interest right up until the very end.
Ben Caruso (Benjamin John Parrillo) is a man who wants more for himself. Who doesn’t, right? He wants to own a home and start a Family but like all Americans, he’s just not making enough to see those dreams come true. That’s all about to change though when client, Doug Bennet (Mark Aiken), directs him to a headhunter who just may be able to help place Ben in the job he’s looking for at the right price.
The headhunter, Sarah Tierney (Kristi Clainos), believes she’s found they very job for Ben! Sarah expects a full commitment from Ben though because the pay is right. Unfortunately there’s a drawback, it’s a graveyard shift desk job. It’s a good thing Ben is suffering from insomnia!
When he reports for his first day at work he’s a bit taken aback by a strange man in a trench coat and hat standing in the corner of the elevator with his back facing Ben. Without saying a word, Ben slips from the elevator and settles in for a night of hard work.
Something isn’t right though, strange voices begin squawking from his intercom, the copy machine runs on its own and personnel regularly appear and disappear. Could this be some sort of hazing? Are the other guys working nightshift simply running the new guy through the ringer?
Work isn’t the only thing “not quite right” as Sarah has become erratic, constantly flying off the handle. Ben isn’t quite sure how to take things and he decides to visit Sarah at work and work things out. The only problem is nobody, aside from one woman, has heard of any Sarah Tierney nor is the office used for corporate headhunting!
During a tense conversation with this office girl he learns that Sarah Tierney was murdered and decapitated years ago. The head was never found and the boyfriend, Doug Bennet, was cleared of any wrongdoing. A bit more research by Ben confirms the story but he still isn’t quite sure what’s going on. If Sarah is dead, what does she want from Ben?
Poor Ben is about to discover the true purpose of his job…find the head or face a severe reprimand.
Headhunter will probably never be considered a classic but that certainly doesn’t mean this little low budget gem should be overlooked; its well worth your time and money.
While it certainly was original and entertaining, it did have a few problems that hopefully Tarantino will address on his next horror outing. For starters, horror fans love their FX and will quite often overlook a films “less than stellar” story or production values so long as the filmmaker gives them gross goodies and slimey surprises. Believe it or not, we’d rather have inadequate makeup and dummies filled with guts than CG effects. Glowing eyes, digital kills, green screen dismemberments and shimmering ghosts are a great way to piss horror fans off. Perhaps that sounds petty by it’s just the way things are in this genre.
I’d also like to mention that things do get a bit “confusing” toward the end when the shit officially hits the fan and Doug Bennet is forced to “break it down break it down” for Ben Caruso. It’s easily overlooked though when one takes into consideration the fact that this is a low budget film. There’s bound to be some plot holes and flimsy “explanations”.
Lastly, what’s with the artwork? It’s effective, no doubt, but its striking similarity to Lionsgate’s Tamara may have fans thinking Headhunter is some kind of Tamara knock-off. I would like to give Xenon major props though on using “A Paul Tarantino Film”, definitely a sly marketing tactic. I can just see unsuspecting, and oblivious, consumers coughing up a bit of cash to purchase the DVD believing it’s a TARANTINO FILM, which…technically it is but not THAT Tarantino. Not many small companies out there would pass on using the connection.
Once again, keep in mind this is a low budget horror film so there’s going to be issues that you just have to grin and bear. Honestly, I thought this was a cool film so the little things really didn’t bother me all that badly. Tarantino’s sophomore effort was commendable and I hope to see more from him very soon.
