So Vam
Directed by Alice Maio Mackay
Kurt is an outcast in a conservative town who dreams of moving to the city to be a famous drag queen. Kidnapped by a predatory old vampire, Kurt is rescued and resurrected by a gang of rebellious vamps who feed on bigots and abusers. As a vampire he finally knows empowerment and belonging, but until Kurt faces the monster, he will never truly be free. The exciting debut from Australian trans teen filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay, So Vam is a low budget, high energy tribute to teen vampire classics, from a distinctly Gen Z, genderqueer POV. A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE
When an outcast is kidnapped by a predatory old vampire and killed, he is rescued just in time to be resurrected by a gang of rebellious vampires who feed on bigots and abusers.
Cast: Xai, Chris Asimos, Grace Hyland, Patty Glavieux, Benjamin Putnam
Member Reviews
SO excited Alice's movies are on Shudder! Love how fun, vibrant, and goopy they are
exciting punk filmmaking!
✨😈✨
I appreciate the intention behind So Vam; due to obvious limitations when filming, only so much achievement arises from the clear passion to produce this fun vampire concept. Not watching with a critical eye, I just wanted to enjoy this as much as possible, and that proved quite a good time. While some of the delivery of the dialogue perhaps needed a second take, I thought the script offered some great ideas and moments. The weakest element came from the sub-subplot about the drag performances, which just did not narratively make sense for their full-song conclusion. If they occurred in the vamp den, even continuing while the fights or conversations transpired, then it makes more sense. Also they felt somewhat passionless. Still glad I watched as it's a good time with hints of 90s aesthetics throughout. Hope Shudder uploads the rest of Alice Maio Mackay's films to the Australian site; thought today was the day, but perhaps that's just for the US version of the platform.
Definitely an amateur/low budget film… not all the acting was strong which was my least favorite part about it. That being said, the actors did try their best and I wish the production received more funding because this is THE vampire movie for queer folks! It’s like a modern day ‘Lost Boys’ but unapologetically queer. This movie would have changed my life (in the best ways) if I saw it as a teen. Absolutely worth the watch especially if you’re queer/like vampire movies.