Forgiving the Unforgiven

Bruce Von Stiers

Jack Russo is an author. He is facing a seemingly impossible deadline for a treatment of his next book. He and his wife, Sienna, go up to their cabin. Jack is hoping that this little outing will bring him some inspiration. But not is all what it seems with this couple. This is the foundation for a horror film titled Flesh of the Unforgiven.

Even before the viewer is introduced to Jack and Sienna, there is a scene with a few flesh carvings and other sadistic tortures. A man pleading for his life has his head chopped off. But this was apparently only a nightmare that Sienna was experiencing. But it seemed so real to her.

It seems that Jack and Sienna have a bit of a volatile relationship. Even though Sienna's agreed to be at the cabin, she's bored. A fight ensues and Jack goes to the area bar. Apparently, the bartender there, Michael, is a friend of theirs. After cooling off Jack goes back to the cabin, only to have Sienna try to seduce him. When that doesn't work, she storms out. This seems to be a pattern with the two of them.

Adding to the story is a beautiful woman named Vivienne. During a phone call with her mom, we learn Vivienne's marriage is over as she's cheated on her husband. Then things move to where the audience is to assume that she's killed herself with a gun.

Well, if things hadn't been strange enough already, Jack receives a package. It contains a VHS tape label Inspiration. The video shows footage of a man and woman in a bedroom. He is masked and is psychologically abusing her. Things move quickly from verbal to physical abuse. Jack is appalled at the behavior he sees on the tape. Is this supposed to provide inspiration for him?

Then there is this overbearing demon type of dude whose name is Death Dealer. He will come and get you if you don't face your fears. He has a cute little minion named Livinia who has this mischievous laugh that borders on manic.

I wasn't too sure how everything tied together at first. But we learn that Sienna had done something terrible that she is seeking forgiveness from Jack for. And every part of the horror sequences seems, at least in part, to be tied to Sienna's need for forgiveness.

The film has some graphic violence and gore. There are mutilations, blood spurting from wounds, decapitations and castration.

Debbie Rochon played Sienna. She starred in 30 to 45 and co-starred in Bloody Hooker Massacre.

Joe Hollow played Jack and the Death Dealer. He also directed the film and wrote the screenplay. He has directed films such as A Bloody Story and wrote the screenplay for both. Films that he's produced include Legend of the Red Reaper.

August Kyss played Vivienne. She starred in Death Bitch and co-starred in Murdercise and Murderbot.

Adriana Uchishaba played Livinia. She almost stole the film with her cutesy looks and mischievous laugh. She co-starred in Murdercise and has appeared in numerous music videos.

John E. McLenachan played Michael the bartender. He's acted in films such as Bloody Bachelor Bash, written the screenplays for films such as Photographs of the Dead and was the associate producer on this film.

Rachel Victoria Stone played the wife in the Inspiration video, Ksenia. She starred in the sci-fi film and the comedy film Judgmental.

Nurse Hatchet played her usual screen persona as a psycho nurse who appears in the VHS video. Besides appearing in film such as House of Whores, she provides music for a lot of horror films.

Anike Rompre, Dave Andexler and Joannie Fournier also appeared in the film.

Laszlo Szijarto, who is a sound mixer by trade, appeared in the film. He all did the sound mixing for this film. April Lindsell provided the voice of Callie, Jack's publisher.

Debra Lamb has around a hundred screen credits, including the drama Finding Nicole and the horror film Blood Covered Chocolate. She provided a voice-over role in this film.

The cinematographer for the film was Kevin McMillan. He has been a director for several films, including Photographs of the Dead.

The acting in the film was well done and the special effects were very good.

Flesh of the Unforgiven is a horror film with an underlying message. If you face your fears and if you can forgive someone for the terrible thing they've done, you might just survive your demons. And the film has a surprise ending that I definitely didn't see coming.

Flesh of the Unforgiven is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

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© 2025 Bruce E Von Stiers