Emily Bennett and Justin Brooks are the filmmaking team behind *Blood Shine*, a deeply unsettling indie horror film that blends spiritual obsession, intimacy, violence, and practical effects into something extremely unique and unsettling. Built around a belief system inspired by Manichaeism and anchored by a pair of characters whose connection becomes increasingly extreme, the film is designed to disturb without ever losing sight of character.

In this episode, Emily and Justin break down the origins of *Blood Shine*, the religious mythology behind the film, the making of its most shocking practical effects sequence, and much more. They also discuss collaboration, finding the right editors, protecting a creative vision without becoming precious, the importance of practical effects, and why indie horror remains one of the best spaces for genuinely original filmmaking.

Show Notes

Movies and Shows Mentioned

• Blood Shine
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
• Picnic at Hanging Rock
• The Virgin Suicides
• Martyrs
• The Innkeepers
• Smile 2
• American Horror Story
• The Righteous Gemstones
• The Invitation
• Terrifier
• Hostel
• Rosemary’s Baby
• The Evil Dead
• A Nightmare on Elm Street
• Audition
• Psycho
• Barbarian
• Don’t Look Now
• The Buildout
• Alone with You
• Mulholland Drive
• Twin Peaks
• The Babadook
• Obsession
• Backrooms
• The French Connection
• The Last Stop in Yuma County
• Habit
• Trauma
• Maxine
• X
• Pearl
• Shelby Oaks

Follow Emily Bennett at:

• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4077057/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrbennett/?hl=en

Follow Justin Brooks at:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbrooksfilm/?hl=en
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2386983/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/justinmbrooks