Watch Lips of Blood

Lips of Blood is a French horror movie released in 1975, directed by Jean Rollin. The film stars Jean-Philippe, Annie Bell, and Natalie Perrey in leading roles. The film follows the protagonist, Frederick, who sets out to unravel the mystery behind a haunting childhood memory that has been plaguing him for years. Frederick, as a child, had stumbled upon a countess' burial in a family crypt in a nearby cemetery. The countess, he learns, was none other than his mother's friend Véronique, who had left quite an impression on him with her beauty and kind nature. As he walks past a store and spots a photograph of the same countess, he becomes obsessed with the memory, and his journey of discovery begins.

As Frederick sets out to find out more about Véronique, he inadvertently opens the gateway to a world of horror that he had never imagined. Along the way, he meets strange women who seem to know him, and he begins to realise that his past, present, and future are all intertwined in twisted and ghoulish ways, with his mother's death at the centre of it.

Lips of Blood showcases Rollin's signature dreamy, eerie cinematography that forms a fantastical and unsettling backdrop for the story. The film is very atmospheric, with long, quiet shots and an evocative musical score. The dialogue is sparse, and the actors' performances, while not always polished, evoke the film's surreal, otherworldly feel.

One of the film's standout scenes is when Frederick visits a castle and enters a room where he sees a ghostly procession of women in white. The scene is stunning, with the ethereal women dancing to classical music, and the camera moves around them in slow-motion, lending a sense of mystery and beauty to the sequence.

Throughout the film, Rollin explores themes of memory, betrayal, and the supernatural. He also delves into the gothic and romantic literary traditions, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, with imagery of tombs, castles, and restless ghosts. Rollin's use of symbols and motifs adds to the film's depth and provides clues to what is happening in the story.

Lips of Blood is a slow-burn horror movie, and while it might not appeal to those who prefer jump-scares and gore, it is a fascinating and compelling watch for fans of art-house horror. The film won over critics and audiences alike with its hauntingly beautiful imagery and hypnotic mood. The film's final moments are genuinely nightmarish, as the truth behind the countess's death is revealed, and Frederick's own fate is sealed.

Overall, Lips of Blood is an underappreciated gem of European horror cinema, with its unique blend of surrealism, Gothic horror, and dreamy visuals. Rollin's careful direction, and the committed performances of the actors, make for a hypnotic and unsettling viewing experience that will stick with you long after the credits roll.

Lips of Blood is a 1975 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.