The thing about legends is that there is often some truth to their origins, maybe person X did exist a long time ago, but their notable deed Y may be just a corruption of the truth, further heightened by time. In 2005, half a decade later, a film explored one such dark tale, oft-reported around youthful slumber parties, and the repercussions if that legend became true in Urban Legends: Bloody Mary.

Killed when fleeing from her attempted drugging by her boyfriend, the body of Mary Brenner is unceremoniously disposed of. In 2005, high school student Samantha and her friends decided it would be a lark, to recreate the Bloody Mary legend. After performing this ritual, she and her friends are plagued by ghastly apparitions and eerie incidents, leading to their doom. It seems that Mary has answered Samantha’s call, with the wronged spirit taking an apparent interest in her bloodline. Can Sam undo this decades-long mess? 

Bloody Mary stars a prominent member of the Mara acting dynasty, Kate Mara, who takes the lead here. She still showcases her potential for being a terrific lead, even in these less-than-resource-clad surroundings. Her younger sister, and fellow member of the acting dynasty, Rooney Mara also makes a fun, uncredited cameo. Mary Lambert directs here, and fans of Madonna’s music videos and some classic horror films, e.g. Pet Semetary One and Two, might recognise her name. 

Urban Legends had carved out a pretty interesting niche, what with its themed kills and its sequel’s merry dance around the meta-narrative. Here, five years on, the film explores the devil that you might see if you say their name repeatedly in a reflective mirror. Outside the Candyman-inspired legend of Bloody Mary (I know the former was inspired by the latter) and the buried scandal, that evokes memories of the Carrie 2 subplot, the whole spectre of Mary is the main driving force here. However, some kills share similarities with other classic films of the franchise. Remember the sunbed from Final Destination 3? A similar kill stands out here. More kills lie on the disc, but it is fun to pick out the similarities, from horror films new and old.

Feeling more in line with Prom Night’s Mary-Lou-led sequels, than the Kevin Williamson-inspired films, Bloody Mary is a curious entry for the series, like one of those franchise entries that get their name amended in post to retain the fanbase. Still, Bloody Mary is a fine piece of film for your film night at home, with enough thrills, chills, and everything in between to warrant a rental or a stream. Slumber party or not, the reflection of Bloody Mary might make for some interesting dreams.

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