All-girl punk band MS-45 (a nice nod to the Abel Ferrara film) literally kick up a storm during their latest show as an all-out riot breaks out when the lead singer Amy (Michelle Argyris) doesn’t take kindly to being groped by one of the thugs in the bar. After the show, guitarist Emma (Emily Alatalo) is approached by a creepy-looking guy, Sam (Jason Rouse), who will later run them off the road. They are picked up by the local sheriff who takes them to a junkyard to ‘get them help’. Unfortunately, the band are kidnapped, have their hands chopped off to be replaced by various weapons and made to fight gladiator-style for a weird religious cult.
Spare Parts sets it stable out in the opening moments, even before we get to the barroom battle. We see woman with a fake leg pick up several dismembered limbs that are discarded from the junkyard. The band’s introduction is handled brilliantly. The dynamics between the girls set out during the post-gig merchandise sale: two sisters with intense rivalry and two lovers who are expecting a child.
Once the story shifts to the Thunderdome-style fighting, it’s a gory and often exhilarating ride. Sam has the hots for Emma so she gets preferential treatment. She still has to fight but it puts a strain on the already flimsy relationship with her sister. The concept of the cult, headed by an ‘Emperor’ (Julian Richings) is a fun twist on the folk horror traditions. The blood must feed the land, however, what’s going to come from that in a place filled with wrecked cars is beside the point. It’s a great set-up for some bloody battles but doesn’t really fulfil its potential. That said, the fact that it’s well acted and has some really gruesome gore means it’s a whole lot of fun.
