Bram Stoker’s Shadowbuilder

‘When God created light, the first shadow was born’

Bram Stoker’s Shadowbuilder – aka Shadowbuilder and Shadow Builder – is a 1998 Canadian/American supernatural horror film directed by Jamie Dixon (co-producer of As Above, So Below; director of Bats: Human Harvest) from a screenplay by Michael Stokes. The movie is loosely based on the short story ‘The Shadow Builder’ by Bram Stoker; it stars Michael Rooker, Leslie Hope and Shawn Thompson.

Director Jamie Dixon is a visual effects specialist, having worked on seventy movies including Prometheus; The Chronicles of Riddick; The Ring Two; Deep Blue Sea; Vampire in Brooklyn; Warlock III and Spawn via his Hammerhead Productions company. The prosthetics were designed by Paul Jones (Wishmaster, Ginger Snaps, Hellraiser III).

On August 28, 2018, MVD Rewind Collection is releasing Shadowbuilder on Blu-ray with the following special features:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the main feature
Original 2.0 Stereo Audio (Uncompressed PCM)
Audio Commentary from Director Jamie Dixon
”Making of Shadowbuilder” featurette (HD, 33:22) (featuring director Jamie Dixon, writer Michael Stokes and stars Andrew Jackson (The Shadowbuilder) and Tony Todd (Covey)
”Shadowbuilder: Visual Effects” featurette (HD, 13:26)
”Shadowbuilder: Kevin Zegers” featurette (HD, 5:00)
Reversible Artwork
Spanish Subtitles
Original Theatrical Trailer (SD)
Collectible Poster

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

An evil Archbishop and his followers summon a demon to destroy the world, but the demon’s first act is to kill its summoners. It does so in an appropriately unique manner, by turning the bodies of its victims into what appears to be solid shadow, which disintegrates at the first touch of light, any light. Light is the demon’s anathema.

Unable to stand the slightest glimmer at its creation, the creature gains strength and solidity with each kill, allowing it a greater resistance to the light; and with it the ability to affect and control those around it, including a pack of vicious dogs.

As the small town of Grand River is orchestrated towards its own destruction, it proceeds to hunt down a particular child. A pivotal sacrifice, necessary to complete its transition into the light, and unleash its Evil. Wayward priest Father Vassey is the town’s only hope…

Reviews:

” …a cracking good B-movie with plenty of excitement, an exciting and fast-moving plot, top-notch effects, a decent cast and an original and threatening villain.” MJ Simpson, Cult films and the people who make them

” …a modestly effective little film. It has an intriguingly original monster – a demon that can only live in shadows and is burnt by light. The creature itself, seemingly chiselled out of obsidian, is well conceived and its final demonic transformation impressive. There are a number of imaginative set-pieces…” Richard Scheib, Moria

“There are scenes in this movie that will make you jump, with the sudden shocks not becoming cheap gimmicks for scares, but as part of the continuing story. Also, director Dixon builds up tension, where we are made to wait for something horrifying.” Keith Bailey, The Unknown Movies

“While the basic premise and a few details of Shadowbuilder are familiar, the movie has been put together with commendable skill. The imaginative direction by special effects artist Jamie Dixon is well-attuned to both character and scares, and he’s abetted by Michael Stokes’ smart script.” TV Guide

Choice dialogue:

Evert Covey: “Doggone!”

Evert Covey: “We’re gonna light this joint up like a cathouse in Vegas!”

Jenny Hatcher: “There really are devils and angels.”

Father Vassey: “I’ll see you in Hell!”

Cast and characters:

Michael Rooker … Father Vassey – The Belko Experiment; The Walking Dead TV series; Penance; Slither; The Dark Half; Sea of Love; Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer; et al
Leslie Hope … Jenny Hatcher – Crimson Peak
Shawn Thompson … Sheriff Sam Logan
Andrew Jackson … Shadowbuilder
Kevin Zegers … Chris Hatcher – Dawn of the Dead (2004); Komodo; The Hollow
Tony Todd … Evert Covey – Zombies; Teeth and Blood; Live Evil; Penance; Final Destination; Candyman; Night of the Living Dead (1990); et al
Hardee Lineham … Nestor Tibbot
Catherine Bruhier … Maggie MacKinnon
Gordon M. Woolvett … Larry Eggers – Bride of Chucky
James B. Douglas … Doc Cole
Richard McMillan … Father Finler
Charlotte Sullivan … Jazz
Andrew Sardella … Paul
David Calderisi … Bishop Gallo
Lawrence Bayne … Quinlan