Blood Glacier (2013)
Scientists working high up in the Austrian Alps discover a large glacier dripping with what appears to be blood. Blood that affects and seemingly mutates anything that comes into contact with it.
Blood Glacier is an accomplished horror from Austria. Well acted (even the dog, Tinni) with convincing characters at odds with each other in the name of scientific discovery rather then just general bickering. The film reminds of John Carpenter's classic The Thing. Although there isn't that films equivalent of the blood test to really shred the nerves here, we do have a tension that slowly builds and gooey and icky sequences of mutated body horror that might not surpass Carpenter but they are extremely well done all the same.
Whilst the film isn't over the top gory, in fact it isn't actually over the top in any way making it feel quite realistic. There are one or two sequences that had me squirming, in particular the girl who has her leg cut open with scissors to get at a creature under the skin. I'm shuddering just typing it out. There are also some glorious, in a horrific way, mutated creatures, including a fox and long horned sheep that are brought wonderfully to life with well executed fx both practical and computer generated.
Beautifully filmed with some stunning mountainous Alpine locations, Blood Glacier stood up well to a second viewing.
Highly recommended.
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