Amazon Prime Video’s “Welcome to the Blumhouse” returns this fall with four all-new unique, unsettling thrillers developed with an eye towards original, diverse storytelling.
Once again showcasing both well-established and breakout actors collaborating with emerging, predominantly female, directors, Bloody Disgusting is highlighting Bingo Hell, helmed by Gigi Saul Guerrero (“Into the Dark” episode Culture Shock, “El Gigante”, “The Purge” series) and set for an Amazon Prime premiere on October 1st.
Bloody Disgusting has an exclusive look at Adriana Barraza in Bingo Hell as a feisty senior citizen who fights to protect her beloved neighborhood from an evil force that’s taken over the local bingo hall and is killing the residents in gruesome ways.
The idea for Bingo Hell came from a conversation between Guerrero and her writing partner, Shane McKenzie, who shared a story about a visit with his wife’s elder relatives at their bingo hall who took the game way too seriously.
“They would bring their lucky charms and never arrived late,” she tells us. “My reply was, ‘Oh dude, my Abuela is just as obsessed with Lotería (Mexican Bingo) and she plays with her relatives religiously!'” Shane then made a joke that would turn into Bingo Hell: “Imagine what would happen if we took Bingo away from them – these seniors would kick our ass!”
The objective was to flip the script on the perception of the elderly: “Our goal was to create a fun genre film that you can watch with your grandparents as they see themselves on screen as the heroes!” Guerrero explains. “We were so excited to break the stereotype of the ‘weak and old’. The inspiration was to bring the nostalgia back from older films that had charming leading characters.
“I said, ‘Guys, let’s make Batteries Not Included in a Rob Zombie universe!”
When asked if the film is a horror-comedy, Guerrero offered up an emphatic “YES!” before explaining: “Let’s be honest here… There is nobody more stubborn and funny than our very own elders. This film focused a lot on their natural charm and sass while feeling like an old-school horror movie. Our world needs more humor to escape the real horrors of the world and Bingo Hell does exactly that!”
The real question is, will we get to see any carnage on screen?
“Let’s just say that these wonderful and seasoned senior actors had an absolute blast being drenched in blood on set!” Guerrero excitedly tells us. “It’s Luchagore [Guerrero’s production team]…we definitely didn’t hold back in certain moments!”
But how does Bingo Hell fit into the “Welcome to the Blumhouse” series overarching theme?
“Bingo Hell touches on political themes such as gentrification and greed,” adds the filmmaker. “However, our key element in the film is the pure meaning of community, family and friendship, which are only built through honesty and love. No matter the obstacle, you can never break that strong bond apart.”
In Bingo Hell:
“When a sinister figure threatens the residents of a low-income community, a feisty senior citizen tries to stop him in Bingo Hell, a wickedly original horror movie with a fiendishly funny twist.
“After 60-something neighborhood activist Lupita (Adriana Barraza) discovers that her beloved local bingo hall has been taken over by a mysterious businessman named Mr. Big (Richard Brake), she rallies her elderly friends to fight back against the enigmatic entrepreneur. But when her longtime neighbors begin turning up dead under grisly circumstances, Lupita suddenly discovers that gentrification is the least of her problems. Something terrifying has made itself at home in the quiet barrio of Oak Springs, and with each new cry of “Bingo!” another victim falls prey to its diabolical presence.
“As the cash prizes increase and the body count steadily rises, Lupita must face the frightening realization that this game is truly winner-takes-all.”
