There’s a serial killer on the loose in New Orleans where it’s time for the annual Mardi Gras.

But, in fact, this isn’t *quite* the case. Only the last act of the film takes place in the Mardi Gras.

Also, the hulking supernatural shadowy figure in the video artwork, resplendent with glowing eyes and straight razor, is nothing like this in the film. Instead, he’s a tall man who may as well have the word ‘WEIRDO’ tattooed across his forehead. He’s hiring hookers and dispatching them in an Aztec sacrificial ceremonial to some god or other.

Yes, it’s all very Blood Feast (not a bad thing), right down to latex body casts being knifed open and animal entrails being pulled out. Hey, it worked for Herschell Gordon Lewis and it works here.

The non-murder scenes are like the talky transitional scenes from 70’s p*rn with overly made-up ladies of the night, frankly very ugly ‘John’s’ and with added hard-bitten cops.

There’s a great sequence in which the investigating officers go ‘downtown’ and ‘on the street’ to ask those who work at strip joints and nudie bars. It’s fantastic.

All in all, this isn’t some unearthed masterpiece but has enough cult cinema ingredients to keep you entertained. Some scenes are also very John Waters (another reason to sniff this film out).

There was the possibility for a sequel but, alas, it didn’t materialise. There’s still time.

A solid horror film.

3 out of 5 stars