Watch The Descendant

In the 1997 horror movie 'The Descendant' (AKA: 'Bleeders'), Roy Dupuis plays John Strauss, a man who inherits a large mansion on an island in the French Canadian wilderness. Upon arriving on the island, John and his wife, Kathleen (Gillian Ferrabee), discover a deep, dark secret hidden within their family tree and the island's history.

As they begin to investigate the history of the island, they meet a group of locals who warn them of the danger that lies ahead. The locals tell them about an ancient family curse that has plagued the island for generations. They reveal that John's family is cursed with a rare form of hemophilia that causes them to bleed profusely and eventually die. The island's inhabitants have come to refer to this condition as 'bleeders', hence the movie's title.

As John delves deeper into his family's history, he learns that his ancestors were part of a religious cult that practiced bizarre rituals, including incest and cannibalism. The cultists believed that by consuming the flesh of their own offspring, they would gain immortality. It's not long before John and Kathleen realize that the curse that plagues their family is tied to the bizarre and gruesome rituals of their ancestors.

As more members of John's family arrive on the island, they begin to suffer from the same affliction as their ancestors. They begin to experience the same symptoms; bleeding from their eyes, ears, and nose. It is soon revealed that the family's ancestors had produced several offspring who were born with deformed features and had been hidden away in crypts on the island to prevent them from being discovered by others.

Eugene, a local man whose family had been affected by the bleeders for generations, tries to warn John and Kathleen that they must leave the island before it's too late. But John is determined to uncover the truth about his family's dark past and continues to investigate the strange occurrences on the island.

As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that the descendants of the cult have been kept alive by consuming the flesh of their siblings, and they are desperate to continue doing so. The members of John's family are caught in a deadly struggle between the curse and the living remains of the ancient cult.

The Descendant (Bleeders) is a dark and twisted horror movie that delves into the macabre and grotesque. With impressive performances from the ensemble cast, the movie is a terrifying exploration of family history, cult-like behavior, and the secrets that sometimes lie hidden within the bloodlines of those closest to us.

Overall, The Descendant is a moody, atmospheric horror film that creates a genuinely eerie sense of unease throughout. The movie is filled with shocking moments and brutal violence effectively building the tension, leading to an ending that's sure to leave you chilled.

*Please note, the movie contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all viewers.

The Descendant is a 1997 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.