The Leech (2022) {Arrow Video Blu-ray Review}

The Holidays are a time for peace on earth good will toward men. But for some it's a time for scary horror. There have been many over the years including the classics, Black Christmas and Silent Night, Bloody Night.

Now, writer/director Eric Pennycoff (Sadistic Intentions) is continuing the tradition of holiday horror with his film. Now the good folks at Arrow Video are giving this film a chance to shine on Blu-ray.

Father David (Graham Skipper, Sequence Break), a Catholic priest struggling to fill the pews in his church, allows a homeless man, Terry (Jeremy Gardner, After Midnight), into his home to escape the December chill. But this simple act of kindness has unforeseen consequences when Terry's pregnant girlfriend, Lexi (Taylor Gardner, Sadistic Intentions), also decides to crash at the parochial house. Determined to save the warring couple through the healing power of God's love, David's ordered existence quickly unravels as he succumbs to the wicked ways of the parasitic pair. Will he pass this apparent test of faith or resort to blood-soaked, Old Testament justice?

The Leech is has a dark and dreary feel to it just like those other holiday horror films. The film is a well directed and acted film. But it is a bit slow getting started, and viewers could get bored with the film before you get to the pay off.

The Leech has been transferred to Blu-ray in High Definition 1080p in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. There is two audio options a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 stereo soundtracks. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Now with all Arrow Video releases they add some amazing bonus features to there Blu-rays and The Leech is no different. Take a look at the bonus features included on this release.

* Audio commentary with writer/producer/director Eric Pennycoff and producer Scott Smith

* Live Chattanooga Film Festival audio commentary

* Virtual Q&A with director Eric Pennycoff and the cast at the 2022 Chattanooga Film Festival

* Preaching to the Void a brand new visual essay exploring The Leech and Pennycoff's earlier films by critic Anton Bitel

* The Voice of Reason a brand new video interview with Pennycoff and actor Graham Skipper

* Introduction and Q&A from the film's international premiere at FrightFest 2022

* Exclusive introductions to the film by Pennycoff and Skipper

* The Making of The Leech behind-the-scenes footage from the film set

* Rigo's music video

* Unfortunate, The Pod and Phase II three early short films by Pennycoff

* Trailer

* Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Haunt Love

* FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Julieann Stipidis

The Leech is an interesting film, but I think if people are searching for another holiday horror classic to put alongside Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night, you may need to keep looking. The re-watchability of this one may not quite be there.

If The Leech sounds like a holiday horror film you would like to add to your collection, head over to Amazon and order your copy today.