Plot: As the production of Hot Blooded began, a tragic turn of events took place and as such, the film was never completed. After a tough series of takes, the director ended up murdered and the film was halted, doomed to remain unfinished for years. As time passed, word was spread about the film and the producer hired someone to complete it, but as the man viewed the print, he was killed right in the theater. As such, the film was labeled as cursed and no one would touch it again…until now. A team of student filmmakers plans to finish the picture and end the legacy, hopefully on a prosperous note, of course. The team includes director Raffy (Jessica Napier) and producer Hester (Sarah Kants), who are dedicated to making the project work, no matter what it takes. The production even manages to gain the services of Hot Blooded’s lead star, Vanessa (Molly Ringwald). So it seems the curse has been broken to the young filmmakers, but as they soon discover, the curse is very much real and is about to take some new victims.

Entertainment Value: The slasher genre is a crowded one, but Cut manages to rise above the filler and provide a rock solid horror ride. The narrative isn’t exactly the most original, but I know the “movie within a movie” angle is a popular one and I appreciated the “cursed film” aspect. So Cut doesn’t reinvent the wheel with the story, but it is more than capable in the narrative department and does throw out an odd, but enjoyable finale, which is a big plus. I like the energy of the movie overall and while not as colorful or memorable as I’d like, it gets a lot right and packs in some fun characters, which helps keep the balance tilted a little more. I do think the fun wanes a little toward the final act, but it remains more than solid throughout and this Australian production has a distinct feel that helps it stand apart as well. I wouldn’t rank Cut with the bloodiest slashers out there, but it has some red stuff and a few nice, memorable kills, while the villain is an interesting one with an effective mask. I think those who embrace the genre’s gore will be pleased here, as not only are some of the kills quite fun, but the special effects work is impressive to boot. In the end, Cut proves to be an above average slasher flick that genre fans should find a lot to like in.

The cast of Cut has a lot of young talent involved, but also a couple more prominent names to lure in some potential viewers. I love the concept of Molly Ringwald in a horror movie and she has a good sized role here. So she isn’t just stunt casting or a glorified cameo, she has a good deal of screen time and is important to the plot, so her fans shouldn’t be let down. I liked seeing her in this kind of movie, as I’m so used to her being in mostly dramas or light comedies, so a change of scenery spices up her presence a little, I think. I also had fun watching Kylie Minogue in this one, though her role is much smaller than Ringwald’s, so she isn’t around as much. Still an interesting addition to the cast and she brings a lot of attitude to her role, so despite limited time on screen, she makes the most of her appearance. The cast here also includes Frank Roberts, Sarah Kants, and Jessica Napier.

The Disc: Umbrella Entertainment launched Cut on Blu-ray with a new 4k restoration that was sourced from original 35mm elements. I think this makes a considerable step up in visual quality from the DVD and the movie looks the best I’ve seen on home video. The print is clean and the restoration seems to have freshened up the look a little, giving us a bright, bold overall treatment. There is a slew of extras here as well, starting with an audio commentary featuring director Kimble Rendall and writer Dave Warner, then giving us cast & crew interviews, storyboards & concept artwork, a behind the scenes featurette, and the film’s trailer. Perhaps the coolest supplement however is the short film Hay Ride to Hell, which stars Kylie Minogue.

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