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While James Cullen Bressack continues filming his latest project, “Bethany,” LAHorror.com had the pleasure of viewing “Pernicious,” Bressack’s ultra violent ghost film that’s making the rounds now in the horror circuit. Fans of Bressack’s films will no doubt be in for a shocking surprise, as this is not only one of his most brutal and violent films (though probably not as rough as “Hate Crime,” which has been banned in the UK), but also his biggest film in terms of scope. “Pernicious” is a horror genre blending blood bath that will keep you guessing until the very end…

It was supposed to be an adventure of a lifetime as three young girls spend the summer in Thailand. But their adventure quickly becomes a nightmare when the trio unleashes the spirit of a murdered child with only one thing on her mind – revenge.

“Pernicious” works on a variety of levels and manages to differentiate itself from other films with similar set ups. We’ve seen young American’s overseas get brutalized before, but torture is far from the only thing “Pernicious” has to offer. Instead we get a rather clever ghost story, with elements of the torture porn nasties of the early 2000s, as well as something completely new and freaky…the gold little girl statue. All of this is cast over the beautiful landscape of Thailand, which adds to the mystery and isolation that this film offers. It’s hard to pinpoint the scariest aspect of “Pernicious,” but let me just say that the golden statue is freaky as hell. You’ll understand when you watch it. I love when horror films master several subgenres in one picture, and “Pernicious” does just that.

Another thing that “Pernicious” masters is the gore. Can we talk about the gore? Toenails, eyeballs, throat slashes and oh so much more. “Pernicious” brings it. In fact, it’s a golden blood bath. If you’re a gore hound that likes it to look legit, then look no further. Watch “Pernicious.”

But what’s good gore without good victims (and killers)? Our trio of leads, Alex (Ciara Hanna), Julie (Emily O’Brien) and Rachel (Jackie Moore) all do a great job keeping this film engaging and entertaining. Humor when humors needed, creepy when things get creepy. There are times when their Americanisms play a bit hard, but in all honesty it’s believable. We’ve all got friends like these girls. O’Brien in particular steals the show in a couple of scenes, one of them involving a very large knife and another involving a creepy witch doctor.

Bressack no doubt has hit a new high in his filmmaking career with “Pernicious,” and if this is any indication as to what’s to come then horror filmmakers should start to get really excited. Bressack directs “Pernicious” extremely effectively, his real talent shines when things get rough for these characters. The sequences involving the golden statue were especially effective. Bressack also litters clues to the films final secrets throughout, which makes a repeat viewing especially enjoyable. If Bressack isn’t on your radar already, get with the program and catch up on his work. Starting with “Pernicious” isn’t a bad idea at all.

I really enjoyed this film, and if you’re a sicko like me then chances are you will too. So keep your eyes peeled for this one…you don’t want to miss this golden opportunity for terror!

Read our pre “Pernicious” interview with James Cullen Bressack here. You can also read the LAHorror.com reviews of his films “Hate Crime” & “To Jennifer” here. Follow Bressack on Twitter for all the latest on his work.

Demons. We’ve all got them, in one way or another. Maybe your demons have manifested from a regret or a lost loved one, a missed opportunity or a mistake. Maybe you don’t even know that they’re there…until they rear their ugly heads. For most of us, we learn to live with our demons, as they are often hard to conquer. But in David Coupe‘s debut feature film “Demons,” it’s conquer or die, because these demons aren’t fucking around. It’s a brand new vision of the demons we face in our daily lives, and just how powerful they can become…

“Demons” is a feature length film gearing up to be shot in Chicago this year. It follows a young man who must face-off against the forces of darkness while mending broken friendships and getting over a painful break-up. And while this is being billed as a horror-comedy, the drama, chaos and carnage in this film are going to be straight from the pits of hell. I was fortunate enough to read the script and it’s got basically everything you could hope for in a horror flick. I won’t spoil anything, but this is going to be a damn fun ride, a ride that you can help make happen. But enough from me, hear it from the creator himself! LAHorror.com got to chat with Coupe about his film, his plan and even some of his demons…enjoy horror lovers!

LAHorror: Coupe, “Demons” the movie. In three sentences or less, what are audiences going to be in for?

David Coupe: They are going to be in for an extremely relatable story about relationships that is paired with some of the most outrageous horror they’ve ever seen. I’m currently writing my ninth draft and there are moments that cause my heart to break for the characters as well as moments that make me run around my apartment in demented glee. There is one thing in particular I can’t imagine anyone who sees the movie not talking about non-stop after seeing it.

LAHorror: So are you going for an “Evil Dead” type of outrageous? What are some of your inspirations with this script, specifically horror inspirations?

DC: Someone, after one of the read-throughs, described it as “500 Days of Summer” meets “Evil Dead.” I think that’s not too far off. Specific influences while writing are definitely the “Evil Dead” movies, “The Exorcist,” “Shaun of the Dead,” and the recent crop of demon movies like “The Conjuring.” A lot of these movies I bow at the alter to and some of them, like “The Exorcist” and “The Conjuring,” I specifically study to play with the genre conventions.

LAHorror: Haha awesome! “500 Days of Summer” meets “Evil Dead,” that’s great! The tag line on your Kickstarter says: “An independent horror/comedy about cults, demons, and relationships. Each more horrifying than the last.” What is so horrifying about this relationship? What’s going on with these characters?

DC: I think that relationships are all about trust. The closer you get to someone the more of yourself you are putting in their hands. You don’t want to find out that your trust is misplaced. This movie sees the collapse of a romantic relationship in it’s first few scenes. The main character’s girlfriend breaks up with him and elects to become the host for a powerful and seductive demon. That gives the main character some serious trust issues that permeate the rest of the story. Friends whose integrity he never would’ve doubted are now under intense scrutiny. The whole movie is about this guy finding himself again in the wake of everything in his life changing.

LAHorror: And while he’s finding himself, he’s battling a blood thirsty Demon? Is this a story about getting the girl back or killing the demonic bitch? Exactly what kind of demon is he up against?

DC: He doesn’t even know! He’s in straight up denial mode with the break-up. He still thinks he can salvage it! Unfortunately, the girl he knew is gone. In her place is the most powerful, vicious demon that you’ve ever seen on film. This demon has a plan to eradicate the planet of mankind so he and his kind can run free. He pretty much wants to turn Earth into a vacation spot for his kind. This demon is going to do things to the human anatomy that is going to make you either squirm or squeal depending on where your tastes lie!

LAHorror: Excellent! So what’s the method to this demon’s madness? What kind of HORROR / GORE does it wreak?

DC: She is going to rip a character’s dick off and then whisper a incantation on it. She turns it into a sword and cuts his head off with it.

LAHorror: …that’s fucking brilliant.

DC: I mean, I think I probably shouldn’t be holding anything back with my first movie.

LAHorror: Speaking of which, how stoked are you to be directing your first feature film? Are you nervous about being the writer / actor / director, all in one?

DC: I’m absolutely terrified. I’ve never done anything like this before in terms of wearing so many different hats all at once. Unfortunately, I’m way more excited than I am terrified. I’ve been working on this for over a year and I can watch the movie in my head. In it’s entirety. And in my brain I’ve got the part. Also, as a director, it’s nice to know my lead’s schedule so far in advance.

LAHorror: And how about your cast & crew? What’s your team starting to look like?

DC: It’s an embarrassment of riches. I had a pretty awesome run of working non-stop in Chicago theater from October 2012 to August 2014. I got to meet the best actors that Chicago (and probably the world) have to offer. So I cast the crap out of them. My crew are hard working and diligent. They are still coming together at the moment. This Kickstarter campaign will help us secure everyone we want to work with. The parties are interested, but we do need the cash to back up the vision.

LAHorror: And on that note, why should people, HORROR fans in particular, take a look at your Kickstarter campaign?

DC: We shot a proof-of-concept piece last year and it’s on the page. We didn’t make it with much money, but I think it shows that we’ve got our hearts in the right place. Check it out for the preview alone. If it’s something you enjoyed. I can tell you exactly how to get more: You donate to the Kickstarter. I just want to make that clear! It seems like a weird thing to leave ambiguous.

LAHorror: Is there anything else you want to share about “Demons”?

DC: I’m going to be making movies for the rest of my life. That is a 100% guarantee. It should start with this one. The script is great. The cast is better. We want to take the audience for this ride. I don’t want to just entertain people with this movie. I want to possess them.