by Vicky Lawrence

Craving is a low-budget crime thriller/monster movie that has an interesting insight into drug addiction. The patrons of a rural bar are barricaded inside by a group of addicts who are hiding a secret that has caused them to be hunted down: a monster is hiding amongst them. While we learn about the lives of the group of addicts and how they found themselves protecting a monster, we also see why this monster is being hunted down. Namely, the destruction it’s caused to a multitude of families.

The clock has been ticking for the entirety of their duration in the bar; their efforts sadly don’t find a solution to keep the monster from transforming from its host into its horrific final form. This ultimately leads to the bloodbath promised to us from the start. When we think all is lost and there’s no way to stop this creature on its mission to consume as much blood as psychically possible, our handy barmaid, Shiloh, becomes our trusty ‘Final Girl’. The group hunting down this monster comes to investigate, only to find Shiloh covered in the blood of her friends – they believe that she is the last one standing and that the monster has been destroyed. Little do they know, there is no end to this bloodshed.

Craving is for fans of extremely low-budget horror films that have an interesting creature design and very cheap but good SFX. For what the acting lacks, the gore/kills make up for it. It has some incredibly interesting kills for such a low-budget film, but it really does pull everything together. While having such an interesting storyline about addiction but not with the typical addiction tropes, we normally see drugs creating monsters and turning people evil. However, that is not the case with Craving. It plays on familiar values of family being chosen and the lengths they will go through to protect one of their own.

Craving boasts a decent backup cast, including the likes of Al Gomez (Cloak and Dagger) and Kevin Caliber (Future Man); it also has a small cameo from the great Felissa Rose of Sleepaway Camp. This film’s not to be missed, it’s cheesy at times and can be confusing, but it has a great story that doesn’t play on the same sort of monster/drug tropes that some other films do while also having a different take on the final girl trope. Worth checking out if you can find comfort in the beauty of a good story and good gore, despite not having the best acting in the world.

Craving is available to stream on Prime Video.