slayrrr666
"The Thirst" is a fairly solid and enjoyable vampire effort.**SPOILERS**After continuously passing out, Lisa Raynerd, (Clare Kramer) finally agrees to tell boyfriend Maxx, (Matt Keesler) that she has cancer instead of a drug problem, and when she succumbs to it, friends Jason, (Erik Palladino) and Macy, (Charlotte Ayana) decide to cheer him up. When he spots her at a nightclub, they don't want to hear it but he eventually finds that she is indeed alive and turned into a vampire by Darius, (Jeremy Sisto) leader of Mariel, (Selena Scott Thomas) Lenny, (Adam Baldwin) and Duke, (Ben Jackson) a small vampire clan. As they try to get him acclimated to their lifestyle, he adjusts nicely but she reveals that has disapproved of the trappings of the family and the disease, forcing them on the run to stop them from starting a blood-splattered campaign of violence to feed their addition and end the curse once and for all.The Good News: This had a lot of good stuff going for it that really made it quite enjoyable. One of the main pluses is the film's large amount of action scenes, which are quite fun. The first massacre of the club, where they appear from the shadows and lay waste to the revelers within, including those tied-up in S&M games, just laying around or ripping up the inhabitants piece-by-piece is a lot of fun, the fighting is really nice and the chaos is perfect, making it a great introduction to the style to-be-employed. The later bar massacre is a lot of fun, with them taking control of the room in grand-style, dancing with the patrons before they start swarming them all, resulting in a messy, extended series of fights that are all really enjoyable. The last part is where the majority of it comes into play, from the vampires fighting in the living room that soon turns into a fire-starting set-piece is really good and makes for a good time. The hospital ambush, complete with the suspenseful captures within the building to the ambulance ride and the unique method-of-escape, which is followed up with a fantastically-eerie encounter within the woods, is perhaps the best part, and the woods part is the main reason due to the effect atmosphere created, the enjoyable stalking within the woods and the full-on fun fighting during it. The cabin confrontation is a perfect finale, with some more fun involving a nail-gun, which is used quite effectively to both serve as the instrument for the final downfall as well as adding some brutality to the proceedings, and the final burn-out is also effective. The other big action scene is the failed-turning, which is quite ingenious. From the explanations of what's going to happen, complete with a detailed account of the activities, initiated later through the sexual acts performed that turns into a raging bloodbath amidst all the chaos and screaming, it becomes quite enjoyable during the process. The first turning is also quite good, from the sensuality of the scene to the blood-loss and the rules of the turning are all quite nice and makes for another effective and entertaining scene. This one also makes its mark on its bloodletting, and it's incredibly messy. From several set-on-fire, a broken lamp shoved into a mouth, entrails spilled out, sword-stabbings, numerous bites to the neck, arms and waist, a finger shoved into the forehead and a nail-gun shot into the forearms, the kills in here are really bloody and graphic. That's not to say that the aftermath is just as good, as most of the wounds unleash a fountain of blood that streams over just about everything, and it's all quite effective at maintaining the gore all the way through. The last plus here is the frequent nudity, which is always nice. These are the film's positives.The Bad News: There wasn't a whole lot of flaws with this one. One of the main issues is the fact that there isn't anything at all special about these creatures. The name vampire is never used, but the actions clearly signal they are, and when they openly mock conventional rules about the genre, burst into flame at contact with the Sun and other such means, it's impossible to say they aren't, but we get no real special display to know they're something to be feared. Beyond a few massacres and the blood-drinking from the neck, it's hard to imagine these as vampires at all, especially once they start doing the comparison about it being an addition. That whole plot line, with the reluctant vampire and the hesitation, severely undermines the threat they acquired through their actions and is just a totally unnecessary addition to the film. Also problematic are certain sequences within the film, the main one being the first time in the Goth club. Unless you're a follower of the lifestyle, that scene is just endless and not all that interesting, merely resulting in an endless parade of being in dress-up, costumes and such that isn't cared-for at all, and these scenes aren't all that great once they get inside. The other ones are the two major freak-outs they show, in the hospital during the revelation discussion and later on after the turning. Both are just rife with irritating marks against them, in several areas and are really problematic all around. The last flaw to the film is the entirely ridiculous-looking blood, which is so fake it's impossible to call it realistic, is way too red and liquid-like, making the liberal use of it all-the-more distracting. These are the film's flaws.The Final Verdict: With some really good stuff to it mixed in with some flaws, this one manages to become a lot more entertaining than expected and is pretty enjoyable. Recommended to fans of low-budget vampire fare or find these types enjoyable, while those that aren't should heed caution.Rated R: Extreme Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, Nudity, drug use and several sex scenes
pjorash
The Thirst had all the ingredients for a sexy, funny, and gory spoof. But, it misses on all counts. It's more like a lame haunted house. You can't wait to get through to the end. My impression is that Jeremy Sisto enjoys supporting low-budget and/or independent work. He's known for dark, tormented characters, but with a twisted wink-wink at not taking them too seriously. Most of what he does is interesting and creative, like the lovable "May." I wouldn't assume what his motivation for doing this character was. He seems to be trying to act as poorly as he can. The main character in the film is the blood, but the effects were obviously done as a 10th grade drama class project. Actually, I take that back. Some of those kids really put a lot of work into their product.
Argemaluco
Director Jeremy Kasten makes a ''pause'' on his normal work as documentaries' editor to bring us The Thirst,his third film,which is a very fun vampire film which has interesting ideas,good performances and a lot of blood.The publicity for this film says ''a mixture between Requiem for a Dream and Near Dark''.The Thirst is not as good as that brilliant films but it has the same themes that films have(addiction and contemporary vampires,respectively).The themes of vampires and addiction appeared on a lot of films(like in The Addiction,directed by the great Abel Ferrara).But The Thirst adds some innovative and ingenious things to the story.The performances are very good from Matt Keeslar to Adam Baldwin without forgetting Jeremy Sisto.Also,the film is pretty gory and I always appreciate that on a horror film.The Thirst is a pretty fun movie which does not only shows blood,but also some interesting ideas.
filmfreak17
I love all genres, but horror films have a special place in my darkened heart. I don't know why Starz didn't release this film in theaters, they should have. So many horror movies on the big screen haven't come close to the entertainment factor that THE THIRST provides.Let me start by saying that anyone who rents or buys this movie expecting a deep thoughtful drama will surly be disappointed. You have to know what you're getting into and appreciate the film for what it is. THE THIRST is a 70's grind-house throwback with over-the-top gore and crazy characters that are much larger than life. Jeremy Sisto as Darius is the perfect example. The is not "Six Feet Under" nor should it be and his performance completely encapsulates the mood that this film is meant to express.While many of the reviews I have read complain that the plot is thin, I amply disagree. This is a low budget horror movie people! The plot is great... a girl dying from cancer decides to save her life by becoming a vampire. Her boyfriend follows and they discover that "the cure is worse than the disease". Very simple, perfect for the genre. Too much more and we wouldn't be able to get to the fun stuff, which is what this movie is all about!Clare Kramer is sexy from her first moment on screen. Her acting is superb. Jeremy Sisto never disappoints and although I wasn't sure what he was doing with his accent, I found him to be funny and scary all at the same time. My favorite performance was relative newcomer Neil Jackson. He plays the role of Duke and while I wish he had more screen time, his moments were some of the best!For those of us who like to see body parts ripped off and blood spurting everywhere, this film doesn't disappoint! And the large amount of nudity was much appreciated and didn't feel too forced.I laughed a lot during this film and even felt scared a few times (could have been more scares for my taste).Overall, if you like the genre, I think you will like this movie! If you are one of those people who complain about too little character development in a movie that is 75% blood and guts, get over yourself and go rent "Sideways". But if you want a fun, blood-drenched good time, get THE THIRST!
