Watch Verotika

Verotika is a 2019 horror anthology directed by Glenn Danzig, based on his eponymous comic book series, which features three macabre and gruesome stories. Each story showcases different characters in varying degrees of horror and gore. The first, "The Albino Spider of Dajette," tells the story of a woman cursed with a never-ending stream of spider-like monsters that cause her immense pain and terror, while she slumbers in her bed. The second, "Change of Face," is about an aging stripper with an insatiable thirst for human blood, who finds a way to make herself young again. The final story, "Drukija," the third one is about a vampire-like creature, portrayed as a sort of medieval queen, lures young virgins to her castle for a feast. The film takes an unflinching look at human depravity, with a kind of hyper-stylized aesthetic that blends sex, violence, and horror in an entirely unique way.

The first segment, "The Albino Spider of Dajette," follows Dajette (Ashley Wisdom), who is cursed by a tribe of spider-worshiping cultists with a grotesque affliction. Each night, while she sleeps, a horde of spider-creatures emerges from her mouth and compound her fears. Meanwhile, Dajette struggles with a failed relationship and searches for a cure for her condition. This story is a rather brutal one, with graphic violence and gore scenes, as well as a mix of suspense and horror.

"Change of Face," the middle segment, tells the story of a stripper named Mystery Girl (Rachel Alig) who murders her clients and harvests their faces, putting them on in a bid to look younger. By day, she watches a home shopping network for facial creams and watches beauty pageants. The story takes a dark turn when she starts dating an aging musician, who takes an interest in her killings. The story is both horrific and entertaining, with a little bit of black comedy thrown into the mix.

The final segment, "Drukija," is likely the most surreal and nightmarish of the three, telling the story of a medieval vampire queen who lures young girls to her castle with the promise of immortality, but instead consumes their blood. The segment begins with a nude woman being rapturously sucked of her blood before cutting to shots of girls being led to their doom. This final segment is the most visually stunning, with a mix of both dreamlike and nightmarish-like visuals.

The film as a whole is stylistically impressive, utilizing evocative lighting to set the tone for each story. Danzig's love of the horror genre is evident in the film, with nods to exploitation cinema and classic horror films alike. The practical effects are also impressive, with some scenes involving completely realistic severed limbs and gruesome facial transformation scenes that are both unsettling and captivating. While the film's stories tend to lean more toward the strange and grotesque, there is an undeniable sense of subversive creativity and passion behind the project.

Overall, Verotika is not for everyone, as it is an unrepentant and bloody horror anthology with a quirky sense of style. But for those who are fans of the genre and are seeking something fresh and original, this film is certainly worth checking out. The three stories are all different but united by their use of surreal imagery and visceral violence, making for a viewing experience that is truly unforgettable. In the end, Verotika is a fascinating example of genre filmmaking that is both bold and unapologetic in its approach.

Verotika is a 2020 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 1.9.