A trip to the video store
Morbid Colors
Recently, I had an idea for a new article series: exploring local video stores to find hidden cinematic gems. The premise is simple—each trip, I aim to discover a movie I’ve never seen before. Ideally, I’ll uncover an independent or obscure film. Of course, the chances of picking up a terrible movie are high since I plan to do minimal research before purchasing.
Living in Tampa, Florida, I knew there was only one true video store nearby—Viper Video. So, on a Monday morning, I set off, only to find through their social media that they were closed. Determined to find something unique, I turned to Google and stumbled upon a local business called The Sound Exchange. As the name suggests, they mainly deal in audio—vinyl, cassettes, and even 8-tracks. However, a review mentioned their sizable selection of DVDs and Blu-rays.
I arrived just after they opened, stepping into a nostalgic wonderland of vinyl turntables and reel-to-reel players. Their selection of DVDs was impressive, but I was particularly focused on Blu-rays and 4K discs to get the most out of my home theater setup. While the horror Blu-ray section was a bit sparse, I eventually found exactly the kind of movie I was seeking. One film cost me only $14 with tax—a great deal.
The movie I chose was Morbid Colors (2021), a vampire film centered on two sisters. The packaging didn’t offer much information beyond a brief description, a list of festival selections, and basic technical specs. It described the film as a dark tale about two sisters, one of whom has become a vampire. Despite its low IMDb rating of 4.9/10 from only 70 reviews, I decided to give it a try—after all, I don’t put much stock in ratings, especially in the horror genre. A low-budget vampire flick isn't The Shawshank Redemption, and they shouldn't be judged by the same standards.
Morbid Colors (2021) Review
Going in with low expectations, I was pleasantly surprised. Writer-director Matthew Packman manages to make you care about the characters. The plot follows Myca and Devin, two sisters played by Kara Gray and Lanae Hyneman, as they attempt to reverse Myca’s vampirism by hunting down the woman responsible. While the vampirism drives the plot, the real story is about two sisters grappling with trauma. The film downplays typical vampire tropes—there are no supernatural powers, no aversion to sunlight, and no dramatic stakes through the heart. Myca simply needs blood to avoid feeling ill.
Though the film doesn’t deliver any real scares, it makes up for it with moody, dark imagery and of course blood. If you’re a fan of metal music the soundtrack is phenomenal. The film’s ending doesn’t offer the characters much closure—killing the vampire doesn’t resolve their deeper emotional wounds. As Devin says in the final act, “There’s no more monsters, it’s just us.” This line perfectly encapsulates the film’s focus on personal trauma rather than supernatural horror.
However, there was a technical issue during the dark scenes—small pinholes of light appeared on the screen. I’m not sure if this was due to the disc transfer or a flaw in the filming itself, but it was a minor distraction.
If you’re looking for a moody, character-driven family drama with a vampire twist, Morbid Colors is worth a watch. It’s streaming on various platforms, so give it a try if you're in the mood for something different.
Score: 5.5/10