Blood Honey

Blood Honey is a chilling and suspenseful psychological horror-thriller from 2017. This Canadian film, directed by Jeff Kopas, boasts a cast starring Shenae Grimes-Beech, Gil Bellows and Kenneth Mitchell and dives into deep, dark secrets, familial bonds and unforeseen consequences arising from past events.

Blood Honey stars Shenae Grimes-Beech, best known for her roles in teen dramas like Degrassi: The Next Generation and 90210, who pivots to darker, more sinister roles with this film. Grimes-Beech brings an amazing performance in the movie as Jenibel Heath, a tormented woman who returns to her family lodge after a decade due to her sickly father's request. She portrays Jenibel's character as a woman burdened with past trauma. A sense of foreboding is created around her character, as the lodge holds many dark secrets waiting to be unraveled.

Alongside Grimes-Beech is Gil Bellows, lending his acting prowess as Jenibel's father, Marvin Heath. Marvin, portrayed beautifully by Bellows, is a character fraught with complexity - from being a beekeeper, an estranged father to a person wrestling with his own demons. His relationship with Jenibel plays a pivotal role in the narrative, exploring themes of parental bonds and dysfunction.

Kenneth Mitchell also delivers a solid performance as Jenibel's brother, Neil, providing an additional dynamic to the Heath family drama. His complex relationship with his sister and late father adds an extra layer to the plot.

The title of the movie, Blood Honey, reflects the story's central themes of family ties (blood) and the Heath family's beekeeping business for honey extraction (honey). The title can also be a metaphor pointing towards the sweet yet potentially deadly circumstances Jenibel finds herself in.

Jeff Kopas directs the narrative through a series of present moments intertwined with flashback sequences, giving a deep insight into the characters' past and their ensuing psychological states. The director does an excellent job maintaining the suspense throughout the movie, making the audience question the reality of the unfolding events as mere facts or twisted perceptions. The script, co-written by Doug Taylor and Jeff Kopas, guarantees to keep audiences gripped with tension and intrigue as it gradually unravels the plot's multiple layers.

What makes Blood Honey stand out in the horror-thriller genre is its focus on creating an eerie, psychological atmosphere rather than relying on standard shock tactics and gore. This eerie ambience is heightened by the film's backdrop—the secluded, snow-covered lodge serving as a fitting setting for the unfolding story, amplifying the suspense. The lodge and its surroundings almost become a character in the movie, embodying the isolation and chilling revelation the protagonist experiences.

Moreover, the beekeeping aspects included in the movie give it a unique twist. This distinct feature adds a unique depth to the movie, as the bees signify various plot intricacies. Additionally, the element of hallucinogens in the honey adds a mystical and suspenseful layer, gripping the audience with how it plays out in the narrative.

The hauntingly beautiful cinematography complements the complex narrative perfectly, beautifully capturing the lodge's isolation and the harsh winter's stark beauty. The film's music score also plays a vital role, with its chilling tunes further escalating the tension and suspense of each scene.

Blood Honey is a complex exploration of familial relationship dynamics, past traumas, mental health, and the lengths one would go to learn the truth. This film masterfully illustrates a unique storyline peppered with unexpected twists and haunting imagery, guaranteed to stay with viewers long after the credits roll. For fans of psychological horrors and thrillers, Blood Honey presents a compelling watch filled with suspense and thought-provoking themes.