Starring - Jared Bankens (Fallout, Twisted Metal), Jamie Keller (American Horror Story, Cover Me), and Keegan Macy (Project Z: History of the Zombie Apocalypse, Abacus)
Release Date - 2025
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Lust Pain Slavery Death"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I review everything as long as it's horror. Hell, I review some things that isn't horror just because it caught my eye but horror will always be my go to genre. I love so many sub-genres of horror and can pretty much name several movies from each that I truly love and admire. However, some of the sub-genres are not always fun for me to explore. One that I don't really care for is the found footage/mockumentary style films. There is a few that I dig but most of these films are not that entertaining. Their dedication to authenticity makes it difficult for me to finish most of these films. Several weeks back I was asked to check out J.M. Stelly's Within Madness: Chapter 1 - The Sacrament of Bondage. I had reviewed several of Stelly's films previously and decided to check it out but didn't realize it was one of these types of films until I was already deep into it. Regardless, I want to thank J.M. for sending this one over.
The film follows two serial killers, one is a filmmaker and the other a sadistic man just as demented as his partner, who are arrested for multiple murders.
I'm going to be honest about this one. I was really excited to check this one out. I liked the artwork and the poster that was sent over with this one. It really had me curious and I couldn't wait to check it out but it was quick to show me that it was the kind of film that I typically stay clear of. I'm not saying this is a bad film but I am being up front and honest when I say that this is the kind of movie that I will not watch willingly. The acting in this one is uneven for me. The whole interview/talking directly into the camera thing is extremely awkward to watch for me. A lot of the performances are very underwhelming because of that fact but I got chills when Jared Bankens spoke. God damn do we need a horror film with this man being unhinged. The story for this one reminded me a lot of Amerikan Holokaust meets The Final Interview. We follow a pair of serial killers who are caught where recordings, remains, and pictures are found connecting them to dozens of murders. Honestly, I dig the story but I'm not really a fan of how it was told. The interview and self-recorded aspect that the two killers reveal their heinous acts really turn me off to the film. Realistically, I would have enjoyed this one a lot more if it unfolded like a typical horror film where we could watch the two do the acts instead of just talk about them. I know a lot of genre fans that dig these style of films but it doesn't work for me. Finally, we have some great make-up effects and some blood but it's not anything gruesome or as memorable as I would have liked. We follow a film about two sick killers yet the deaths we do have are easily forgettable. Overall, Within Madness: Chapter 1 - The Sacrament of Bondage is a fantastic idea but the execution just didn't do it for me. I went into this one really excited and found myself wishing it was so much different. It's not a bad a movie but it's not one I can get behind. If it sounds like something you might enjoy then please, check it out.
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