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Vampire cinema: 'The Forsaken' (2001)

"The Forsaken" movie poster
Wiki/Imp Awards

The Forsaken


"The Forsaken" is a 2001 vampire flick that was directed by J. S. Cardone. A director known for "Wicked Little Things," "Shadowzone," and "8mm 2." His film is about a man driving cross country, who picks up a hitchhiker that just so happens to be hunting down vampires. The film starred Kerr Smith, Brendan Fehr, Johnathon Schaech, and Izabella Miko.

Okay first, "The Forsaken," is a mix between three movies, "John Carpenter's Vampires, "Near Dark," and "The Lost Boys." It's a low budget edition of each movie. A film that is packed with gore and explosions to hide the fact that it's a sloppy movie. The effects in the movie aren't great, and some wouldn't believe that it made it to theaters.

It's a road film, two guys with the same problem, vampires or Kit (Schaech) in general. Fehr and Smith, were put together to get in the teenage crowd that year, one starred in "Dawson's Creek," while the other was in "Roswell." Not a bad marketing trick, though this movie is no PG-13 teen vampire flick, it's far from "Twilight."

Izabella Miko's character reminded me of Sheryl Lee's character in "Vampires." Kit (Schaech) was the head of the group of vampires. He doesn't mind ripping apart people (one scene he punches a beer can through someone) and he has a weird sick sense of humor. He's as crazy as Bill Pullman's character in "Near Dark."

It's flawed, but it's a popcorn flick that wasn't too overly thought of, but for what it is, it works. Kehr and Smith played two generic characters, but likable enough. Poor Miko feels like she was just there, though she is used too get Kit.

I wouldn't say this movie adds to the vampire genre, but it's a decent action horror flick. The good things about this movie is the soundtrack and Kit. I like a vampire film with a diabolic vampire character. Can't forget about his girlfriend either, she was just as creepy too!

I would say this movie is 2 1/2 stars, and from watching it, I would probably watch it again. It's not perfect, but since it reminds me of a 21st edition of "Vampires" even the desert vampire 80s flick, "Near Dark," marathoning these movies just works.