A Brutal Return to Cannibal Exploitation? RIVER OF BLOOD (2025) Review

River of Blood (2025) is an exploitation-style horror thriller directed by Howard J. Ford (The Dead). It follows a familiar “tourists in peril” premise, leaning into the cannibal subgenre with a modern lens.Plot & SynopsisThe story follows four vacationing friends—Ajay, Maya, Ritchie, and Jasmine—who take a kayak tour into the jungles of Southeast Asia. Their guide, Nick (Joseph Millson), leads them into territory inhabited by a merciless tribe of cannibals. As the group is hunted, the film explores the predatory dynamic between the pampered outsiders and the violent tribe, while also touching on superficial themes of betrayal and jealousy within the group.Production Details• Director: Howard J. Ford• Cast: Joseph Millson, Louis James, Ella Starbuck, Sarah Alexandra Marks, and David Wayman.• Release Date: August 1, 2025 (Select theaters, Digital, and On Demand via Saban Films).• Runtime: 87 minutes.• Filming Location: Thailand.Reception & StyleThe film has received mixed reviews, often described as a “passable” genre entry that excels in visual presentation but falters in character depth.• Visuals: Critics have praised the cinematography and the lush, threatening jungle setting.• Tone: Unlike some modern “wink-at-the-camera” horror, it largely plays its premise straight and humorless.• Gore Factor: While it delivers on “grisly images” (earning its R rating), some viewers felt it played things a bit safer compared to classic cannibal exploitation films like Cannibal Holocaust.• Common Critique: A frequent point of frustration among audiences is the “unlikable” nature of the protagonists, leading many to root for the cannibals instead of the survivors.It is currently available to watch on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goreandgrimepodcast.substack.com