Henry Cavill’s Forgotten Horror Flick is a Must-Watch

by

Henry Cavill, a well-known British actor, and Joel Schumacher, an American director who passed away, are both widely recognized for their contributions to bringing two of DC Comics’ most famous characters to life on the silver screen. Schumacher helmed the blockbusters “Batman Forever” (1995) and “Batman & Robin” (1997), which, despite their commercial success, were criticized by fans and critics for their over-the-top portrayal of Batman. On the other hand, Cavill has played Superman in the DC Extended Universe, starting with “Man of Steel” (2013).

16 years after donning the Batsuit in “Batman & Robin” and before taking on the mantle of Superman in “Man of Steel,” Christian Bale (I) teamed up with director Joel Schumacher for a film that veered far from the comic book realm: the 2009 horror movie “Blood Creek.” This chilling tale revolves around two brothers, portrayed by Bale and Dominic Purcell, who stumble upon a West Virginia farm inhabited by a family of German-American immigrants. Hidden within their past is a secret so dark and dangerous it could shake the very foundations of their family and country. While the film’s interpretation of its harrowing plotline received mixed reviews, I believe it merits a second look due to its haunting sequences, intense performances, and a genuinely terrifying portrayal by Michael Fassbender as a monstrous Nazi.

A Horror Straight Out of History

The movie begins with a chilling prelude in 1936, depicting a German family, the Wollners, living on a farm in West Virginia. They are told to welcome and accommodate a German academic named Richard Wirth (Fassbender), who is due to visit their homestead. However, upon his arrival, it’s disclosed that his actual mission isn’t as benign as they were led to believe. Instead, his Nazi superiors have sent him to investigate an old rune on their land, which they suspect has mystical powers that can be exploited through bloody rituals using human blood.

Step into the 21st century, where paramedic Evan Marshall (Cavill) unexpectedly meets up with his estranged military brother, Victor (Purcell). He implores Victor for assistance in avenging the family who has imprisoned and tormented him for a prolonged period. It turns out that this particular family is none other than the Wollners, who trapped Wirth on their farm by daubing mystical runic markings throughout the property about 70 years ago. Since then, they’ve been intermittently kidnapping individuals like Victor to their farm, so that Wirth can drink their blood and thus prevent both him (Wirth) and the Wollners from aging.

In contrast to other horror films where Nazis are portrayed as monstrous characters, “Blood Creek” stands out because its plot is partially grounded in historical truth. In reality, Hitler and the Nazi regime were intrigued by the occult, which adds a touch of authenticity to Wirth’s character, making it somewhat chilling and believable.

Although Heinrich Himmler, the leader of the SS and a key figure alongside Hitler, didn’t physically send any Nazi officials to the U.S. to find magical runes, Michael John Petty from Collider points out that Wirth’s situation in America bears a symbolic resemblance to historical events. Indeed, there were gatherings supporting the Nazis held in the U.S., like the notorious 1939 rally at Madison Square Garden. Additionally, Petty likens Wirth to the Nazis involved in Operation Paperclip, where they secretly collaborated with the U.S. government on scientific projects, eventually contributing to the Space Race. This collaboration allowed them to evade responsibility for their involvement in the numerous war crimes committed by the Nazis during that period.

Zombies, Vampires, Horses, and Nazis, Oh My!

The chilling aspect of Wirth as a villain lies not only in his status as a Nazi, but also in his unique traits – he’s an immortal Nazi endowed with supernatural abilities and an insatiable hunger for human blood. His powers extend to taking control over deceased humans, canines, equines, making them obey like mindless zombies at his command. In a gripping scene, as the brothers and Wollners huddle inside their small farmhouse in a desperate attempt to fortify themselves, several possessed horses (one of which was ablaze) pounded relentlessly on the doors and windows with their hooves. Eventually, they broke through the barriers and stormed into the house.

Despite the questionable quality of the computer-generated imagery (CGI) of the burning horse, the shaky camera work, rapid editing, eerie lighting, and confined setting within create an intense, tangible feeling that effectively portrays the characters’ fear and disorientation. This sensation is further amplified by Schumacher’s directing style, which remains over-the-top as expected but with a more ominous undertone.

As a cinephile, let me share my perspective: The film’s standout moment for me was Michael Fassbender’s chilling portrayal of Wirth. Initially, he appears as an average Nazi in the prologue, but as the story unfolds and we re-encounter him from the Wollners’ cellar, his transformation is nothing short of terrifying. Critics have compared his character to a blend of a zombie, mummy, vampire, and necromancer, all rolled into one twisted Nazi figure.

At first, Wirth emerges from the cellar wrapped like a mummy, but as he gains power, he sheds his outer layers to reveal an appalling visage that even Pinhead from the Hellraiser series might find unsettling. This is according to Bloody Good Horror, who aptly describes it as a sight that would make Pinhead shiver in his leather attire.

In the film Nosferatu (2024), Fassbender’s character, with his elongated talons, ghostly complexion, and baldness, strikingly resembles Bill Skarsgård’s depiction of Count Orlok – minus the mustache. Particularly noteworthy is when he is shown feeding on his victims’ blood. The impressive makeup effects, grisly scenes, and Fassbender’s inherently unsettling demeanor collectively contribute to a chilling horror movie monster that deserves more recognition than it currently receives.

A Haunting Conclusion

Blood Creek offers a compellingly unsettling plotline, standout acting, especially from Fassbender, and unforgettable scenes of intensity and violence. Despite its less-than-favorable reception, it boasts a depth that may not be immediately apparent. Additionally, both Schumacher and Cavill, typically associated with big-budget productions, are commendable for venturing into more mature themes, even if their work didn’t receive the recognition it deserved.

Apart from its technical excellence as a horror flick, the film Blood Creek has proven surprisingly relevant in one unsettling aspect. The story concludes with Evan discovering that other Nazis were secretly sent to America to hunt for and exploit magical symbols to bolster Nazi power in their pursuit of global control. Given the persistent influence of Nazism in contemporary American culture, even seen at a recent presidential inauguration, this ending is strikingly prophetic, casting an unsettling light on what initially appeared to be just another forgettable horror B-movie.

In certain regions, you can stream “Blood Creek” for free through FandangoNow’s service, while in other cases, you can rent or buy the movie digitally from platforms such as YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.

Read More

2025-02-15 06:32