🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Brannon Braga
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Drama
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 47min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (11K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A troubled teen, a grieving mom, and some mobsters stumble upon a book made of human skin that contains scary stories, which makes for a very awkward book club.
🍿 Books of Blood: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Jenna’s Story: Escaping the Noise
Jenna, a young woman struggling with misophonia and a troubled past, leaves home seeking refuge from the overwhelming sounds that plague her. She finds what seems like a safe haven at a bed and breakfast run by a seemingly kind couple. However, she soon discovers that their hospitality hides something sinister.

Miles’ Story: A Mother’s Grief and a Psychic’s Deception
Mary, a parapsychologist grieving the loss of her son Miles, encounters Simon, a charismatic young man claiming to possess psychic abilities. He offers her a chance to communicate with Miles, but Mary’s skepticism is challenged as Simon seems to know intimate details about her son’s life. This story explores themes of grief, manipulation, and the search for closure.

Bennett’s Story: The Book of Blood and Its Price
Bennett, a hitman, is tasked with locating a legendary book of blood said to contain stories written in blood on its pages. His search leads him down a dark path where he discovers the horrifying truth about the book’s origin and the price one must pay to possess it. This segment acts as a framing device, connecting the other two stories.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jenna (Britt Robertson): A troubled young woman with heightened sensitivity to sound seeks escape and finds herself in a terrifying situation.
- Mary (Anna Friel): A grieving psychologist is haunted by the loss of her son and is desperate for closure.
- Simon (Rafi Gavron): A charismatic young man claiming to have supernatural abilities becomes entangled in a dangerous situation.
- Bennett (Yul Vazquez): A ruthless man searching for a valuable book finds himself drawn into a supernatural conflict.
- Ellie (Freda Foh Shen): A seemingly kind woman with dark secrets.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jenna: “I can’t do this anymore.” – Jenna expresses her deep-seated struggle with misophonia and her inability to cope with the overwhelming sounds that plague her.
- Simon: “I can bring him back.” – Simon uses these words to prey on Mary’s grief and convince her that he can communicate with her deceased son.
- Mary: “I need to speak to my son.” – A desperate mother pleads, consumed by grief and longing to reconnect with her dead child through supernatural means.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Books of Blood Reviews
Personal Review
As a Clive Barker fan, I was hoping for something truly terrifying, but Books of Blood felt a bit tame. I enjoyed the visuals and some of the creepy moments, especially the B&B story, but it didn’t quite capture the visceral horror of the original books. Still, it was an entertaining watch, and the twist at the end was pretty cool! If you don’t compare to the books, then I am sure you’ll love it!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Clive Barker’s work”
- “Horror anthology enthusiasts”
- “Viewers who appreciate psychological horror and dark themes”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Gore”
- “Violence”
- “Disturbing themes”
- “Nudity”
Professional Reviews
- Horror Enthusiast Magazine: “Books of Blood delivers some genuinely creepy moments, but the anthology format feels disjointed. The performances are solid, especially Britt Robertson, but the overall impact is lessened by uneven storytelling. Worth a watch for horror fans seeking something different.
- Indie Film Review: “While Books of Blood attempts to capture the essence of Clive Barker’s work, it falls short. The stories are intriguing but lack depth and are poorly woven together, making it feel like a series of disconnected episodes rather than a cohesive film. The plot is okay, but it needed better execution.
Audience Reactions
The anthology format offered variety and kept me guessing.: Many viewers appreciated the movie’s attempt to adapt Clive Barker’s unique horror style, even if it didn’t fully succeed.
The interweaving of the stories was clever and engaging.: Fans enjoyed the plot twists and turns.
Overall Consensus: Books of Blood is a decent horror anthology that attempts to capture the essence of Clive Barker’s work, but falls short for some viewers. While it offers creepy moments and engaging stories, the execution feels uneven.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Books of Blood adapts Clive Barker’s framing device story from his ‘Book of Blood’ but also includes brand new stories written for this film that Barker was involved in creating.”
- “The movie was filmed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.”
- “The film was originally intended to be a TV series, which influenced the anthology format and storytelling style.”
🖥️ How to Watch Books of Blood?
Books of Blood is currently available for streaming on Hulu. Purchase options are available on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check these services for rental and purchase pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Books of Blood, you might like these similar films:
- Book of Blood (2009): Direct adaptation of the same Clive Barker source material, offering a different interpretation of the stories.
- Candyman (1992): Another Clive Barker adaptation that explores themes of urban legends, supernatural horror, and the power of belief.
- VHS (2012): Modern horror anthology that uses found footage to create a sense of dread and suspense, appealing to fans of short, interconnected horror stories.
- Tales from the Crypt (1972): Classic horror anthology film that delivers chilling tales with dark humor and unexpected twists.
🛒 Books of Blood Related Products
- Clive Barker’s Books of Blood Volumes 1-6: The original collection of horror stories that inspired the film. This anthology showcases Barker’s imaginative and disturbing visions, which will be sure to get you hooked.
- Hellraiser: Limited Edition Puzzle Box: A detailed replica of the Lament Configuration from Hellraiser. This collector’s item features intricate designs and offers a tangible piece of horror history.
- Clive Barker’s Jericho (PC): A supernatural horror game developed under Clive Barker’s guidance. Players lead a special forces team through disturbing environments and face terrifying creatures.
- Clive Barker’s Undying (PC): A supernatural horror game developed under Clive Barker’s guidance. Players lead a special forces team through disturbing environments and face terrifying creatures.
🎧 Soundtrack
Books of Blood features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Books of Blood’ is a horror anthology film based on the works of Clive Barker. It consists of three interconnected stories exploring themes of grief, manipulation, and the horrors that lie hidden beneath the surface of everyday life.
The level of scariness is subjective, but ‘Books of Blood’ leans more towards psychological horror and gruesome imagery than jump scares. Some viewers may find it disturbing due to its themes and violent content.
Yes, it’s based on Clive Barker’s ‘Books of Blood,’ a collection of horror stories. However, the film only loosely adapts elements from the source material and includes original stories inspired by Barker’s style.
🔥 Bonus Content
This Terrifying Movie Based on Clive Barker’s Novella Will Sink You in Perverse Sensations!
Ever wondered how the stories in ‘Books of Blood’ connect? This video breaks it all down and explores the deeper themes. It’s a great watch if you’re looking for a comprehensive overview of the film!
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