I wasn’t expecting a dark comedy when I started this flick… and part of me wonders if they planned on making one. But here we go… a darkly comedic, wildly improbably gory feminist vampire flick starring two B movie genre legends playing against type (Barbara Crampton and Larry Fessenden).

Jakob’s Wife is about the wife of a small town minister’s wife who, to her misfortune or fortune, gets bit by a vampire. Realizing she’d been living an unfulfilling life with a man she loves but who doesn’t respect her, she has to come to terms with her new vampiric abilities.

So the film definitely has a mild feminist angle and it works for this film without being remotely preachy (pun intended). There’s a gleeful freedom and fear that comes from her changes… and it’s kind of interesting to see her somewhat repressive husband’s reaction. It’s not what I expected.

And, as I mentioned earlier, I also didn’t expect to laugh. But, yeah, this movie is pretty darkly funny. It rotates around a certain level absurdity as this preacher husband decides he needs to fight evil… and also deal with a wife who has a new outlook on life. And there’s gallons of ridiculously over the top blood that challenges the best (or worst) of the genre. I’d say beware if you are squeamish except the sheer exuberance of the spray can’t be taken too seriously.

I enjoyed this film. It certainly isn’t the best vampire movie or the best horror comedy but it’s devoted to its direction and has good ideas. I say check it out.

Score: 82