A supernatural thriller horrific and sorrowful in equal measure, Blood delves into complex moral issues regarding a parent’s duty to their children, creating a high stakes tale about family, addiction, and sacrifice.

The always watchable Michelle Monaghan stars as Jess, a reformed drug addict and nurse who is fighting for shared custody of her children against ex-husband Patrick (Skeet Ulrich). Moving into her grandparents rural farm, time spent with her children Tyler (Skylar Morgan-Jones) and Owen (Finlay Wojtak-Hissong) brings with it a certain anxiety, with any incident under Jess’ watch a black mark against her case.

Jess’ nightmares come true when the family dog – clearly under the influence of a supernatural force – attacks Owen, who survives albeit with an insatiable hunger for blood, and the fresher the better. A guilt-ridden Jess must decide whether to help feed her sons addiction or let go of the little boy who is transforming into a monster.

Director Brad Anderson (The Machinist) does a great job in building the dramatic stakes in what is essentially a tragic family drama that blends its horror elements with ease. Far from your average vampire tale, Blood has a refreshing ambiguity to its supernatural elements which only strengthens the focus on those which this mysterious and (dare it be said) demonic ailment that descends this broken family into their own personal hell.

Monaghan delivers one of her best performances as a mother paying for the sins of her past affliction, now drawn into a moral quandry in which ethical and criminal lines are crossed in very tense scenes that can get very squeamish.

Anderson asks us to confront some very complex issues in Blood, namely how far should a parent go to support a child in the throes of addiction? While a parents love should be unconditional, is there not a limit to harbouring criminal or violent behaviour?

These are questions worth feasting on in Blood, a horror drama rich in character and stakes.