Last Rights
A Super-8 movie based on the case of grandmother murderess Velma Barfield who was executed for murdering her husband. It was described by Tessa Hughes-Freeland in "The Underground Film Bulletin #4" as "A murderess's last testament, explicating her view of the world, of her crime, and of her punishment. Intimate, compelling and ultimately disturbing".
Insights
Plot Summary
A deranged man, obsessed with a woman he saw in a dream, kidnaps her and holds her captive in his secluded mansion. As his psychosis deepens, he subjects her to increasingly disturbing psychological and physical torment. The woman must find a way to escape his clutches before she succumbs to his madness or becomes his permanent victim.
Critical Reception
Last Rights is a lesser-known horror film that garnered mixed to negative reviews upon its release. Critics often pointed to its gratuitous violence and exploitative nature, while some acknowledged its attempts at psychological horror, albeit unsuccessfully. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some finding it effectively disturbing and others dismissing it as cheap shock value.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised by some for its dark atmosphere and disturbing premise.
- Criticized for excessive gore and a lack of substantial plot.
- Seen as an example of late 80s direct-to-video horror with limited artistic merit.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available often cite the film as a forgettable entry in the horror genre, with some finding its disturbing elements mildly effective while others felt it was simply unpleasant.
Fun Fact
The film was originally titled 'Blood Rage' before being changed to 'Last Rights' for its video release.
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