Voodoo ain’t just for backwater bayous anymore. Thought to be used only to exact revenge on others, Bad Voodoo shows us another use — defending yourself against a more human evil — with some revenge mixed in there too, for good measure of course.
Escaped convicts face Voodoo horrors after taking Abigail hostage in her mysterious house. As a Voodoo Priest’s powers emerge, they struggle against dark forces for survival.
Bad Voodoo, IMDB
Abigail has a lot of healing to do after losing her daughters in a car crash. Just as she starts her path towards letting go, four hostile felons break in to her house to lay low and wait for their getaway ride. Forced to bend to their will or face harm, she bides her time… until she gets the upper hand. In a twist of fate, the convicts now must suffer the consequences of their actions in a ritual — a ritual of Bad Voodoo.
What started as a home invasion thriller quickly turned into action-revenge surrounded by the forces of black magic. Everything from conjure spells to voodoo poppets comes out to play when dear old Abby begins her plan for justice and redemption. All is not what it seems though, because both parties have some bargains to atone for. Bad Voodoo is a warning to both those who harm users, and users who go in far over their heads.
If you’re looking for some gnarly effects brought on by some creepy magic spells, Bad Voodoo will hit the spot. There is plenty of chanting, breaking bones, and comeuppance to go around in this indie flick. Abby (Cristina Moody) is the star of the show as she shows her range, one minute in rampage mode and another sobbing over the loss of her kids. And what voodoo-based horror movie would be complete without a Papa Legba-type character, Houngans (Jimmy C. Jules), who brings the real fear to the story, showing that voodoo isn’t just something to toy with — it is a lifestyle and a permanent fix to a problem. Whether you take that as truth or not, it is not something to be messed with.
While Bad Voodoo was entertaining with just the right amount of raw kill scenes (and one crazy scene at the finale), I will say there is a tad bit of adjustment needed on sound; some dialog was soft and low, while the screams of pain were deafening. Sure, it provided a bit of a jump as I brought my head in closer to my speaker, but the sound (at least dialog-wise) could be a little more level. That said, I found no other issues watching the movie and thoroughly enjoyed the watch, reveling in what was to come after every ritual leading up to the big reveal at the end.
Bad Voodoo is all of the second word and none of the first. It is a worthy addition to folk horror, featuring a well-loved magical inclination in a fresh, new light. Cool effects, “tea” storyline, and a lesson in humility in using powers far greater than you own are exactly what you’re gonna get with this one.
Bad Voodoo is available on VOD and DVD on February 10 via DeskPop Entertainment. For more visit Bad Voodoo on Instagram and web.
