River of Blood – 2024

Cast & Crew

The cast includes Joseph Millson (as AJ), Sarah Alexandra Marks (as Maya), Louis James (as Ritchie), and Ella Starbuck (as Jasmine), with additional appearances by David Wayman. The crew is anchored by the directorial vision of Howard J. Ford, with Tom Boyle credited for the screenplay.

Instruction

River of Blood (2024) is a suspenseful horror-thriller directed by Howard J. Ford, written by Tom Boyle, and produced by Saban Films. The film marks a visceral return to the cannibal subgenre, as a group of friends’ leisurely kayaking adventure devolves into a survival nightmare.

Premise & Plot

The story revolves around two young couples—AJ, Maya, Ritchie, and Jasmine—who set out for a luxurious getaway, aiming to celebrate a new business venture with a jungle kayaking trip in Southeast Asia. Guided by a mysterious tour guide, their excursion takes a sinister turn when they veer off course into an uncharted river teeming with danger. Soon enough, they stumble upon a tribe of merciless cannibals, and when one companion vanishes, the trip quickly becomes a desperate fight for survival.

Release & Format

River of Blood was released on August 1, 2025, with a limited theatrical run accompanied by availability for digital rental and purchase (e.g., Prime Video and Apple TV)—a dual rollout typical of modern genre films aiming for broad reach. The film runs approximately 1 hour 27 minutes and carries an R rating for “language, grisly images, and bloody violence.” 

Reception & Critiques

Critical responses paint a mixed picture. Many reviewers point to the film’s familiar setup, noting it lacks unique innovation within the cannibal-horror niche:

• MovieJawn's Elijah Fischer remarked that River of Blood “failed to dive beneath the surface of its premise, leaving this cannibal movie all bark and no bite.”

• Mark Dujsik (Mark Reviews Movies) criticized it as being “really, really cheap on several levels” regarding its story. 

User feedback, gathered via IMDb, echoes this disappointment while acknowledging redeeming features:

• Some praised the cinematography and visual presentation, noting the film “was filmed beautifully… top-notch, professional, and aesthetically pleasing.” 

• Performances were generally considered solid, despite a small cast, with some enjoyment derived from its B-movie horror sensibilities: “This movie puts you in the mind of the 80s schlock horror films of Cannibal Holocaust.”

• Common criticisms included its convoluted plot, lack of narrative coherence, and failure to deliver on gore expectations—surprising for a cannibal-themed film.

Summary

In essence, River of Blood delivers a familiar horror premise with commendable visuals and performances, but it doesn’t break new ground. If you're drawn to jungle-set thrillers, nostalgic cannibal horror, or offbeat indie genre flicks, it may offer some thrills. Just temper expectations—some viewers found it more watchable than outstanding.