Rocktober Blood (1984)

Directed by: Beverly Sebastian

Starring: Tray Loren, Donna Scoggins, Renee Hubbard, and Nigel Benjamin

Rated: R

Genre: Horror, Slasher

It’s been two years since rock star Billy Eye killed twenty five people, including his friends and staff. Now, the only surviving witness to his crimes, Lynn Starling, has taken his place at the head of the band. However, despite the years of therapy, she still can’t get over the trauma of nearly dying at the hands of Billy Eye. She thinks she sees him in the concert hall, in the woods by her home, and in her house, but her friends insist she’s imagining things. Is she really just going crazy, or is Billy Eye back from the dead?

The first thing I liked about this movie was the heroine. She may be weaker than many in her genre, but she sticks to her beliefs even when everyone else thinks she’s crazy¸ and she stands her ground against  men like Billy Eye (prior to death, of course). She is also one of the few female horror characters to have a nude scene (two in fact) and survive the film. I found that refreshing. I didn’t like how she dissolved into a useless mess whenever she was confronted by Billy, hardly ever fighting back. Girl, it’s a life or death situation, get your head in the game.

The acting is pretty awful. Donna Scoggins is okay as Lynn, but occasionally falters and becomes weak. Yet, her performance was the strongest in the film. Tray Loren wasn’t very convincing at all as the insane Billy Eye. His constant maniacal laughter made me want to punch him in the throat. Honestly, cut that out. It’s not scary, it’s irritating.

The plot is fun, but I would have liked the film to focus more on the entire band, not just on Billy stalking Lynn and playing with her head. I think they were trying to go for more of a suspense theme than a full blown slasher, but it didn’t work out so well. Also, that ending is rather ridiculous. The reveal of “Billy” is soap operatic, and the motivation for the killings is lame. The movie also ends abruptly without the audience learning what happens to either Billy or Lynn. Since I’ve been following her throughout the movie and caring about her character, I’d like to know that she remains okay. Apparently, the filmmakers don’t agree with that.

The special effects/gore were pretty tame. There’s a little blood, but not too much. Many of the deaths are bloodless, although fairly creative. For instance, this is the first time I’ve seen someone taken out with a clothing iron.  Still, the death scenes weren’t very scary or entertaining.

Overall, this is another cheesy entry in the 80s slasher craze. This one combines 80s hairband rock music with a generic slasher flick. Aside from a couple likable characters, the film is rather dull.

4/10