2022 will go down as quite possibly the greatest year in horror movie history. The return of the Scream franchise kicked things off in January and was followed by surprise hits from other major studios including X, The Black Phone, Watcher, and Smile. Independent studios have delivered as well with Bodies, Bodies, Bodies; Dashcam; and Terrifier 2 just to name a few.
CineLife Entertainment Studios’ The Retaliators looks to add its name to the growing list of superb horror films in 2022. The horror thriller finds a distraught local preacher looking to find the man responsible for his teenage daughter’s gruesome death while battling his inner demons as he tries to keep his heart right with the Lord despite his quest for justice. The preacher Bishop, played by co-director Michael Lombardi, decides to take things into his own hands and begins to uncover an underworld of madness that puts his own life in jeopardy.
Police officer Jed (Marc Menchaca) visits Bishop after the death of the pastor’s daughter and ensures him he understands his pain and what he is going through and then later offers him an opportunity to release his brewing hatred on the man that destroyed his life. Bishop then goes to war with the battle of God’s will to punish those deserving and with his desire for instant vengeance and discovers that Jed is not the law-abiding police offer he appears to be.
The Retaliators is marketed as a heavy metal horror as it features a hard hitting soundtrack featuring Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, Asking Alexandria, and Motley Crue. The film acts as a massive promotional piece for the soundtrack’s artists as it was produced by Better Noise Films, an offshoot of Better Noise Music that represents all of the bands on the soundtrack. In addition to the music the bands provided for the film, many of the musicians were cast in roles as well. Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix was cast as serial killer Quinn Brady and Five Finger Death Punch members Zoltan Bathory, Ivan Moody and Chris Kael were given supporting roles as well. Even Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee shows up in the role he was born to play, strip club DJ.
The Retaliators is the first foray into horror for Better Noise and is a solid debut for a company making the jump from music to film. With solid performances from the entire cast, including the musicians that are accustomed to being on stage instead of in front of the camera, the revenge based horror thriller can rest knowing that it has cemented its place with some of the other great horror films of the year.
The final act of the film finds Bishop battling his personal demons as well as an army of zombie-like creatures as the film takes a wild turn that would make Sam Raimi blush with pride. The Retaliators tries to cement its place along with some of the best revenge horror films like Carrie, Friday the 13th, and Hard Candy. Decide for yourself if The Retaliators ranks along with the aforementioned classics as it is available for viewing wherever you stream VOD.
Steven McCash is the Lead Music Writer and Utility Man for SoBros Network. Steven is the host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast, and the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music in addition to the occasional live show review. He also pitches in as a Nashville lifestyle writer and football analyst (hence the ‘Utility Man’ title). Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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