Noah Segan is an actor best known for being a regular collaborator with film director Rian Johnson. Since Johnson’s debut, Brick, Segan has appeared in every one of his films, whether it be as a key character such as Kid Blue in Looper or a small cameo like in The Last Jedi. Outside of Johnson’s projects, Segan also has a long history with the indie horror scene. Turns in Deadgirl, Cabin Fever 2, Starry Eyes, and Some Kind of Hate cemented him as a genre favourite. Now, Segan turns his hand to writing and directing with the vampire movie, Blood Relatives. The move sees him able to follow in the footsteps of his friend whilst continuing to work within a genre that he is very comfortable with.
Blood Relatives tells of drifter vampire Francis (played by Segan himself) whose eternity gets flipped upside down when he meets teenager Jane (Victoria Moroles), who claims to be his daughter. Although Segan’s feature debut, Blood Relatives isn’t his first time behind the camera. In 2019 he directed the segment M.I.S.T.E.R for anthology horror, Scare Package. The story there intertwined the occult, werewolves, and suburban life. Segan continues aspects explored in M.I.S.T.E.R, expanding them as he delves into the pressure and horror of family life.
Prior to meeting Jane, Francis lived a simplistic existence. He haunted the shadows, carving out a quiet life for himself. The only part of his life that draws attention is his beloved classic car. It is this unique vehicle that makes it easy for Jane to track him down. Early encounters between the two are awkward, but a dynamic slowly forms between them. There is an easy chemistry between Segan and Moroles that translates perfectly to Francis and Jane. The pair travel cross country and the miles on the road open up the conversation and before Francis realises it, he has been moulded into Jane’s ideal father figure.
Although Segan has a solid background in horror, Blood Relatives leans into the actor’s other talent for comedy. Segan originally burst onto the scene playing moody young men; it was only after Rian Johnson wrote the character of Kid Blue specifically for him in Looper that he started to embrace his funny side. Since then, he has had a string of comedic performances, and was a standout in 2019’s Knives Out. In Blood Relatives he flexes his funny bones further, crafting an endearing portrait of an ageing vampire.
Despite its vampire comedy trappings, Blood Relatives is an incredibly personal piece of work. The film has Segan stamped all over it, and not just due to him writing, directing and starring. At its core, Blood Relatives is a love letter to fatherhood and the hardships that it entails. Segan is a father of two; the film is dedicated to his children, and he infuses the story with his own honest perspective of parenthood. Anyone who has become a parent will identify with the upheaval in Francis’ life. He goes from nomadic motor-head greaser to domesticated home-bunny in a flash. His trim and maintained physique quickly devolves into neglected dad bod. This transformation is explained as a side effect of Francis switching blood types, but it is the perfect visual representation of how life as a parent takes its toll both mentally and physically. Though through exchanges with Jane, Segan is careful to also show the lightness that children can bring.
Another aspect of himself that Segan weaves into the plot is his religion. Segan is a proud Jewish man and so Francis’ vocabulary is full of Yiddish sayings. It is rare to see phrases such as ‘smuck’, ‘schelp’ and a lot of ‘oy vey’, but their inclusion helps to set Blood Relatives apart. Jewish horror is a sub-genre that is starting to get some traction thanks to films like The Offering, The Vigil, and Attachment; Blood Relatives can join this list as a horror comedy alternative to the more serious scare fests.
It will be particularly resonant with anyone that has experienced the massive life shift that parenthood thrusts upon you. It’s also a worthy addition to the vampire comedy with Segan wonderfully seasoning his personal stories with moments of wit and humour. A delightful debut that works as a culmination of Segan’s career thus far, Blood Relatives is sweetly sincere and hauntingly honest.
Blood Relatives
Summary
A heartwarming and humorous road trip that traverses the pitfalls and elevations of parenthood.
Shudder will exclusively stream Blood Relatives on Shudder on 22nd November 2022.
