Santa Sangre
| release date | April 30 1989 |
| studio | Expanded Ent |
| director | Alejandro Jodorowsky |
| writer | Alejandro Jodorowsky |
| starring | Alejandro Jodorowsky |
| rating | R |
| trailer 1 | Trailer #1 |
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If I can name one horror movie that is truly an ‘art-house’ film, it’s this one (even more so than Cemetery Man). Santa Sangre is an extremely weird experience, but one that I highly recommend nonetheless. The protagonist, who was traumatized as a child, has an Oedipus complex like none other, and some of the imagery in the movie can be very disturbing. If you want a thought-provoking movie that’s probably too strange for its own good, pick this one, you’ll like it.
Perfect in every way possible.
Perfect in every way possible.
Perfect in every way possible.
The son of two circus performers is institutionalized at a young age after his adulterous father dismembers his mother in a fit of rage. Years after this scarring event, the boy, now a young man, reunites with his armless mother who manipulates him and uses his arms as her own. The two become inseparable, and any woman who tries to come between them meets a bloody end.
A masterpiece like no other, Santa Sangre is a unforgettable, powerful experience that stays with you long after the credits roll. Alejandro Jodorowsky (El Topo, Holy Mountain) is a cinematic genius whose films touch every end of the visual spectrum in their stunning imagery; the mystical and blasphemous, the beautiful and grotesque. They are unlike any other films out there and Santa Sangre is his masterwork. One of my favorite films of all time.
One of the most beautiful horror movie’s I’ve ever scene. The story is rather simple actually, but I’m not saying that’s a bad thing at all. It’s presented in one of the most visually stylish and interesting ways I’ve ever seen in a horror film. I wouldn’t say I’m a defined “fan” of Jodorowsky, but I can definitely say that I’m a huge admirer of him and his work. I’m Definitely a fan of this film and it might grow on me more as in time and become one of my favorite horror movie’s ever. Great Stuff, great release!!
This is what I’m talking about. “Santa Sangre” is the surrealistic horror film that I never thought I’d see, and I never thought such a magnificently disturbing, whimsical, and psychedelic film could be made by man. And I never thought that such intense visual perfection could apply to a darned horror film, but here we are. Here we are indeed.
There are many, many special qualities to a movie such as “Santa Sangre”, and luckily for you, I don’t intend to spoil too many of them. However, as this is indeed a review for a film, I must respectively warn you when a film is not for all tastes, and people, do we EVER have a film that “isn’t for all tastes”! Here is a gruesome, gory, and macabre horror feature that will not appeal to those with weak stomachs. You could stare at such imagery and interpret it as art, or you could just keep your barf-bag close and hope for the best.
The film tells a timely tale of a child who was born of parents who both worked in the Circus business. The boy was named Fenix, and during his youth, he grew up, fell in love, and witnessed his mother lose her limbs and his father commit suicide. Fenix saw some pretty bad situations in his time, but nothing could compare, or prepare, him for what was to come later on.
So Fenix grows into a semi-healthy young man, who is only really “semi-healthy” because his childhood has traumatized him and earned him a spot in the loony bin. It’s evident that our hero is a whole lot more sane than anyone else in the “loony bin”, although the doctors don’t seem to care. One day, he escapes and returns home to momma.
And momma is pretty good when it comes to “welcome home” gifts. Fenix and mother begin to do circus shows together again, with Fenix acting as his mother’s arms for an attraction. Fenix soon happens upon a horrifying discovering; his mother can now fully control his arms in place of her own. The worst part about this is mother’s murderous tendencies towards the women who enter Fenix’s life and pose a “threat” to him and his momma.
Yes, I know: this sounds like a slasher flick. And yes, I also know that it kind of is one. However, “Santa Sangre” is not what most would think of when they visualize the generic slasher flick, often times dealing with the darkly beautiful, the bizarre, and the grotesque. Instead of standard horror fare, we get a new classic; a bold, graphic, disturbing, and masterful portrayal of deep fear. “Santa Sangre” does not really care whether you want to watch it or not; as only the best art-house pictures can have such a twisted mentality. Who would want to make a film that ISN’T for everyone? Believe it or not, there are many filmmakers out there, and director Alejandro Jodorowsky is one who is not afraid of what others think.
I’ll be honest: I loved this film. I love films that use gore as art (example: Argento’s earlier works), and I love me a good horror film at any time. I wasn’t sure how to approach “Santa Sangre”, but maybe that WAS the approach in itself. This is a rare film which I would love to call “movie magic”, although what’s so magical about someone getting their arms chopped off? Also, what’s so entertaining about a movie that keeps the blood flowing, and depicts unflinching acts of sorrow and violence? All I can really say for that is this: “Santa Sangre” is meant to entertain, surprise, and intoxicate; and that is what it does. It’s a film unlike any I’ve ever seen, complete with dazzling and imaginative visuals and a timley performance from actor Axel Jodorosky, and helmed by a man who has taken obvious influence from past cinematic magicians such as Fellini. This film is just as good as a Fellini film; if not better than some. Again, not for everyone’s taste, but for all its worth, “Santa Sangre” scared me, shocked me, entertained me, and left me in awe.
Surreal horror at its best. Bizarre, beautiful, and thought-provoking. It’s a horror film, and yet so much more than just that. Truly an unforgettable experience.
Not really my taste but gets a 10 any way, like it or not I cant deny the genius it took to make it. Some movies are wierd for the sake of being wierd. This movie had some of the strangest shit of all time in it yet it seemed organic within the plot. I feel like a vegitarian who just tasted the best steak ever made
Don’t expect a riveting horror movie here folks. This is more of a bizarre and tragic art house film that contains a number of unsettling scenes and disturbing moments. But nothing to be scared about.
I don’t agree with all the 10 scores on this site because I almost turned the thing off with 20 minutes left of the movie. It was slow paced to the point of boredom in parts. But the thought provoking twist ending was good and actually saved the movie for me tying things together and sticking with me the next day.
If you are into artsy fartsy films then check this out by all means. If you want scares âe” look elsewhere.
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