Bliss of Evil
WRITTEN BY : Corrie Hinschen & Josh Morris
DIRECTED BY : Josh Morris
About the Film
A sound engineer is forced to confront her trauma when she and her girlfriend's grunge band are trapped in a recording studio by a shadowy killer.
“Bliss of Evil” tells the story of Isla, a sound engineer helping her girlfriend, Nic’s band ‘Prom Night’; rehearse for an upcoming gig that may land them a major record deal. However, Isla has recently experienced a traumatic event, and although she is attempting to move forward, Isla’s friends are worried about her. With Nic struggling with her own feelings of guilt and grief, and an arrogant new member joining the band, rehearsal gets off to a rocky start. The evening goes from bad to worse when the band find themselves locked inside the rehearsal studio with one of their friends murdered and no escape. As the bodies begin to pile up, mayhem and mistrust among the group builds and Isla’s past comes crashing into her present, forcing her to fight her demons head on.
Cast:
Actors Name - Character
Sharnee Tones – Isla
Shanay De Marco – Nic
Michaela Da Costa – Jamie
Jordan Schulte – Lee
Chenaya Aston – Courtney
Brendan R Burman-Bellenger – Roy
Corrie Hinschen – Bloodface
Emily Rowbottom – Rhea
Where to View
Film Details
Completed : September 2022
Theatrical Release : October 2022
Budget : $15,000
Running Time : 85m
Country of Origin : Australia
Screener Link : Click here (password required)
Genre : Horror/Thriller
Festivals/Awards : Horrific Hope 2023 (Won – Best Feature Film, Best Performance by a Lead), Creature Feature Weekend 2023 (Won – Best Feature Film), The Thing in the Basement Horror Fest 2023 (Won – Best International Film), Scream Queen 2023 (Won – Best Horror Film, Best Actor), HorrorHound 2023 (Nominated – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Production Design, Best Writing, Best Editing), HorrOrigins 2023 (Nominated – Best Supporting Actor), Haunted House FearFest 2023 (Nominated Best Feature Film). Official Selections: Panic Fest (USA), Salem Horror Fest (USA), Soho Horror Fest (UK), GenCon (USA), Monster Fest (AU), Spooky Empire (USA), Cine-Excess (UK), Fright Nights (AUT).
Bliss of Evil will have a New York premiere at 'Haunted House FearFest' scheduled for early October where it’s been nominated for awards including Best Feature Film.
Producer’s Statement
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche. Darkness, pain, and tragedy are part of the human experience. The difficult, painful chapters of our lives challenge us and shape us. Sometimes, we grow stronger from them, but sometimes, they have an insidious hold over our lives. We touch on these experiences in our film, “Bliss of Evil”, to tell a story about trauma and personal demons. Among many things, “Bliss of Evil” explores how the way we handle the heartbreak and tragedy of our lives (either consciously or unconsciously) can have a ripple effect on all parts of it. To survive and thrive, we must fight our fears head-on, so that buried, unresolved demons do not find a way to kill everything we hold dear in life. Drawing inspiration from real-life events and stories the creative team heard about multiple local indie bands, “Bliss of Evil” tackles themes such as trauma, toxic masculinity and male privilege, revenge, betrayal, physical and sexual violence. In doing so, the film aims to explore the psychological impact on the victims and their loved ones. With a production team with backgrounds in film, music, literature, and psychology, we hope the film moves the audience emotionally through some of its more psychologically disturbing moments. We also hope we leave the audience thinking and talking about the film long after the credits have rolled. Although the film is dark, we hope the audience can see some light and find inspiration through watching our protagonist draw on strength they did not know they had.
Movie Poster
Reviews
“Beyond its nostalgic dive into the nineties, Bliss of Evil transcends being a mere homage. The film captures the essence of that era with care and precision, yet its true strength lies in Morris' unflinching exploration of the harsh realities within self-serving relationships. A bold and powerful opening sets the tone, and while the ensuing killings lack the same emotional impact, the film delivers ample doses of grounded horror that will leave your blood running cold."
All Horror | Read full review
“Fans of the genre will no doubt be impressed by the ambition and enthusiasm on offer here. It’s a testament to indie ingenuity, and deserves credit for that."
Warped Perspective | Read full review
“Filled with Spice Girls inspired hair-styles and an abundance of girl power, Bliss of Evil presents plenty of late nineties counter culture. It doesn’t lean as heavily into nostalgia as other properties, but there are enough knowing nods for those who were around at the time to notice. The subtle nuances to the references is a welcome respite from the usual tact of cramming a bygone decade down your throat. By keeping elements toned down, Morris never risks alienating those unanointed to the era and grants Bliss of Evil a life beyond nostalgia baiting."
The Hollywood News | Read full review
“The film works well because the characters and actors are so likable. It’s easy to care about them, especially because the film’s singular setting lends a sense of claustrophobia that translates well to the audience. The story is bloody and violent, but it’s exciting to see the survivors fight back and try to kill their tormentor as they struggle to survive the night."
ScreenZealots | Read full review
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