Red Blooded American Girl
1990
A vampire thriller with a New Zealand twist
A young woman becomes entangled with vampires in this atmospheric horror film that blends classic vampire mythology with contemporary storytelling. An eminent doctor (played by Christopher Plummer) seeks the help of an alternative molecular scientist to find a cure for AIDS. Neither party gets what they bargained for, and the stakes become very high.
International Vampire Horror
Red Blooded American Girl marked David Blyth's venture into international co-production, combining New Zealand filmmaking expertise with Hollywood talent in this atmospheric vampire thriller.
The film features veteran actor Christopher Plummer alongside television star Heather Thomas, best known from the hit series "The Fall Guy". This casting brought significant star power to Blyth's vampire narrative.
Set against a contemporary backdrop, the story explores themes of seduction, transformation, and the eternal struggle between humanity and monstrosity. Blyth's distinctive visual style brings a unique perspective to classic vampire mythology.
RIP Christoper Plummer
Christoper Plummer died on 5th February 2021, aged 91 years.
Christopher Plummer with David Blyth on the set of Red Blooded American Girl.
Diabolique Magazine Article
Read this Diabolique Magazine article:BLOOD RELATIONS: THE SUBVERSIVE DNA OF DAVID BLYTH’S RED BLOODED AMERICAN GIRL (1990) AND HOT BLOODED (1997)
Cast
- Heather Thomas
- Andrew Stevens
- Julie Strain
- Christopher Plummer
- Kim Coates
Genre Evolution
Red Blooded American Girl represents Blyth's exploration of classic horror themes through a contemporary lens, building on the foundation established by his earlier works.
The film demonstrates the international appeal of New Zealand's emerging genre cinema, paving the way for future co-productions and international recognition.
This vampire thriller showcases Blyth's ability to work within established genre conventions while bringing his unique perspective to familiar horror tropes.
Gallery
Hot Blooded
Red Blooded 2 / Hit and Run
Year: 1983
Returning home for Thanksgiving, a college student’s act of stopping to help a young woman, becomes the wildest and most terrifying ride of his life.
Selected for the Brussels Film Festival of Science Fiction and Horror.
Career Milestone
International Recognition
Following the cult success of Death Warmed Up and the controversy of Angel Mine, Red Blooded American Girl demonstrated Blyth's ability to work on larger international productions while maintaining his distinctive horror sensibilities.
The film marked an important evolution in New Zealand's genre cinema capabilities, showing that local filmmakers could successfully collaborate with international talent and produce commercially viable horror films.
Vampire Cinema Legacy
This vampire thriller added to New Zealand's growing reputation in horror cinema, contributing to a legacy that would later include acclaimed films like What We Do in the Shadows and establishing the country as a significant player in international genre filmmaking.