Badlands of Kain (2016)

“You can checkout anytime you like, but you can never leave”

RELEASED IN 2016 and directed by Andy Palmer, "Badlands of Kain" chronicles events when two young women (Rachelle Dimaria & Katrina Norman) embark on a road trip from Southern California to Flagstaff, but breakdown near Kain, Arizona, where the people are weird.

This is a low budget indie mystery/horror, but it’s professionally made. The plot is a little reminiscent of “Messiah of Evil” (1973) with elements of “Psycho” (1960/1998). It plays like a movie-length Twilight Zone episode, albeit set in the modern day. The story needed tightened up, however; 20 minutes could’ve easily been shaved off the runtime. But I didn’t really mind; the two females kept my attention, especially Katrina Norman. Speaking of which, the creators kept things tasteful with only one tame underwear sequence and no nudity.

THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 48 minutes and was shot in Lake Isabella, Kernville & Bakersfield, California. WRITER: Rachelle Dimaria, who plays the protagonist, Shannon.

GRADE: B-/C+