The movie
Show notes
This week’s pick is courtesy of Patreon supporter John Hammond—an undisputed master of chaos, who previously cursed us with the likes of For Your Height Only , Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell , and Devil Fetus . Now, he's reached deep into the arthouse-horror void and pulled out Santa Sangre (1989), a film beloved by critics, film students, and probably no one with a functioning sleep schedule. While some might call it a surrealist masterpiece, others might say it’s the kind of movie that would clear a room at a house party. Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky—yes, the same man behind El Topo and other “What did I just watch?” experiences— Santa Sangre was his return to cinema after a ten-year break. Co-produced by Claudio Argento, it was shot in Mexico City with a mix of circus performers, real-life street characters, and Jodorowsky’s own sons. The film draws from real-life crime, religious trauma, and about five pounds of metaphor, creating a hallucinatory, blood-soaked experience that critics loved. Allegedly. With elaborate practical effects, dreamlike sequences, and enough symbolism to choke a film studies syllabus, it’s a cult darling that dares you to understand it—or even enjoy it. If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter. www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback Trailer Guy Plot Summary He was a child of the circus... broken, silent, and bound to a mother whose grip reached beyond the grave. In a world of twisted faith, shattered minds, and blood-soaked revenge, one man’s descent into madness becomes a symphony of horror and illusion. From visionary director Alejandro Jodorowsky comes Santa Sangre —a surreal, nightmarish journey through trauma, obsession, and the haunting legacy of a past that refuses to die.
More episodes about Santa Sangre
