Subspecies 2: Bloodstone (1993)

Director: Ted Nicolaou

Starring: Anders Hove, Denice Duff, Kevin Spirtas

Continuing after the first “Subspecies”, a woman who has just become a vampire tries to escape the evil vampire, Radu, who seeks her as his love interest. But she has taken the vampire family’s bloodstone, and now Radu must find her to get it back. While her sister comes to Romania to save her soul. It might be to late….

1991 saw the release of ‘Subspecies’. In 1992, the big budget vampire film ‘Dracula’ (or Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ was released, starring Keanu Reeves and Anthony Hopkins. Everyone was talking about the awesome and creepy shadow effects. ‘Subspecies 2: Bloodstone’ was released in 1993, and featured equally impressive and creepy shadow effects, considering its low budget.

The film picks up where the first film left off. Anders Hove is back as Radu. It’s a pity Laura Mae Tate did not reprise her role as Michelle, but Denice Duff does a good job as her replacement. Everything about this sequel is better than the original. The visuals, the make-up, the story. In the first film, Radu merely had a white painted face. Now, his face is puffy with make-up and is looking much scarier. The make-up in general is head and shoulders above the original.

This is the story of Michelle – now a vampire – coming to terms with her new life, while her sister searches for her. The film is a bit more dramatic and more emotional. I actually thoroughly enjoyed this installment. This is a sequel that surpasses the original on every level.