Introducing Little Dead Rotting Hood: A New Horror Movie

In the realm of horror cinema, where classic tales are often reimagined with a modern twist, Little Dead Rotting Hood stands out as a bold and gritty reinterpretation of the timeless fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. Released on January 5, 2016, by The Asylum, this American action-horror film, directed by Jared Cohn and written by Gabriel Campisi, blends werewolf mythology, zombie elements, and supernatural intrigue into a fast-paced, blood-soaked narrative. With a cast featuring recognizable names like Eric Balfour, Bianca A. Santos, and Marina Sirtis, the film delivers a B-movie experience that embraces its low-budget roots while offering plenty of gore, suspense, and surprises for horror enthusiasts. This article dives deep into the movie’s origins, plot, cast, production, reception, and its unique place in the horror genre.

A Twisted Take on a Classic Fairy Tale

The story of Little Red Riding Hood, immortalized by the Brothers Grimm, is one of the most enduring fairy tales in Western culture. Traditionally, it’s a cautionary tale about a young girl, her grandmother, and a cunning wolf. Little Dead Rotting Hood takes this familiar framework and flips it into a modern horror spectacle, trading the quaint morality tale for a supernatural battle against werewolves in a small American town. The film is a self-aware “mockbuster,” loosely inspired by Warner Bros.’ 2011 romantic horror film Red Riding Hood, but it carves its own path with a darker, more action-oriented tone.

Set in the fictional town of Stillwater, the movie begins with a seemingly simple premise: the town is plagued by a series of violent wolf attacks. However, as the body count rises, Sheriff Adam (Eric Balfour) and his deputies uncover a far more sinister threat—a pack of werewolves controlled by a mysterious “Denmother.” The film introduces Samantha (Bianca A. Santos), the granddaughter of the town’s enigmatic wise woman, Rose (Marina Sirtis), who is revealed to be the “Keeper of the Forest.” When Samantha is attacked and killed by a wolf, Rose performs a ritual that resurrects her as a hybrid of human, wolf, and zombie, tasked with protecting the town from the werewolf horde. What follows is a race against time as Adam, Samantha, and a group of locals confront the werewolves in a bloody, action-packed showdown.

The film’s title, Little Dead Rotting Hood, is a playful nod to its B-movie sensibilities, signaling to audiences that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Yet, beneath the campy exterior lies a surprisingly earnest story about duty, sacrifice, and survival, wrapped in a package of practical effects, real wolves, and over-the-top violence.

The Plot: A Gory Supernatural Thriller

Little Dead Rotting Hood wastes no time diving into its horror roots. The opening scene sees Samantha attacked by a wolf, setting the stage for the supernatural elements that define the film. After her death, Rose buries her with a red cloak and a sword, passing on her mystical role as the forest’s guardian through a blood ritual. Samantha rises from the grave, transformed into a powerful, undead warrior with a mission to stop the werewolves ravaging Stillwater.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Adam, a grizzled yet charismatic lawman, investigates the increasing number of wolf-related deaths. His deputies, including the comic-relief Deputy Henry (Patrick Muldoon) and Officer Scudder (Brendan Wayne), join forces with local hunters to track the creatures. As the investigation deepens, the townsfolk discover that the wolves are not ordinary animals but werewolves led by a formidable Denmother, whose identity is a key twist in the story. The narrative builds to a climactic battle where Samantha and Adam must confront the Denmother and her pack, with the fate of Stillwater hanging in the balance.

The film’s pacing is relentless, prioritizing action and gore over intricate character development. While some critics have noted clichés, particularly in scenes involving teenage characters, the movie compensates with inventive twists, such as secret werewolf lineages and the concept of a “Keeper of the Forest.” The story leaves room for potential sequels, hinting at further adventures for Samantha as she battles the werewolf threat.

A Talented Cast Anchors the Chaos

One of the film’s strengths is its surprisingly robust cast, which elevates the material beyond typical B-movie fare. Eric Balfour, known for roles in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) and TV series like Haven, delivers a standout performance as Sheriff Adam. Balfour brings a natural gravitas and charm to the role, making Adam a relatable and authoritative figure amidst the chaos. Critics have praised his ability to ground the film, with some calling him the best actor in the production.

Bianca A. Santos, recognized from Ouija (2014), plays Samantha, the titular “Little Dead Rotting Hood.” While some reviews noted her performance as emotionally flat, others appreciated her physicality in the action sequences, particularly as she embraces her role as a supernatural warrior. Marina Sirtis, best known as Counselor Troi from Star Trek: The Next Generation, makes a brief but memorable appearance as Rose. Despite her limited screen time, Sirtis delivers a powerful performance that leaves a lasting impression, with fans praising her commanding presence.

The supporting cast includes Romeo Miller (aka Lil’ Romeo) as Danny, Samantha’s boyfriend, and Patrick Muldoon as Deputy Henry, who provides much of the film’s comic relief. Heather Tom, a five-time Emmy winner, also appears, adding credibility to the ensemble. While some performances are described as overacted, the cast’s enthusiasm contributes to the film’s campy charm, making it a fun watch for those who enjoy B-movie aesthetics.

Production: Low Budget, High Ambition

Produced by The Asylum, a studio infamous for its low-budget “mockbusters” like Sharknado, Little Dead Rotting Hood embraces its B-movie roots while pushing the boundaries of its modest budget. Filming took place in July 2015, primarily in Rene’s ’50s Town in Santa Clarita, California, which lends Stillwater a retro, small-town vibe. Director Jared Cohn, a prolific filmmaker for The Asylum, brought his experience from projects like Born Bad (2011) and The Horde (2016) to create a visually engaging film despite financial constraints.

One of the film’s standout production choices is its use of real, trained wolves, a decision that adds authenticity to the horror elements. Unlike many low-budget horror films that rely heavily on CGI, Little Dead Rotting Hood prioritizes practical effects for its wolf scenes, with real animals handled by professional trainers. While some CGI is used—particularly for werewolf transformations and the Denmother—the practical effects are generally well-received, with reviewers noting that they outshine the less polished digital visuals.

The film’s special effects are a mixed bag. Practical gore, including blood and wounds, is effective and satisfying for horror fans, but the CGI, such as the giant werewolf at the climax, has been criticized as subpar, resembling a “PlayStation 3 cutscene”. Despite these limitations, the production team’s creativity shines through, particularly in the action sequences, which feature flamethrowers, shootouts, and large-scale battles involving dozens of extras. The cinematography, led by Cohn, avoids common B-movie pitfalls like overly dark scenes, ensuring that the action is always visible.

The script, based on a comic book by Gabriel Campisi, Buz Hanson, Ken Haeser, and Blair Smith, adds a layer of depth to the film’s mythology. The comic, created before the movie, provided a foundation for the story’s supernatural elements, including the concept of werewolf clan wars and the Keeper of the Forest. The music, composed by Chris Ridenhour, enhances the suspense and action, complementing the film’s high-energy tone.

Reception: A Polarizing B-Movie Gem

Little Dead Rotting Hood has garnered a mixed but largely favorable response from audiences and critics, particularly among fans of indie horror and werewolf films. On Amazon Prime, it holds a 4.1 out of 5-star rating, indicating strong approval from viewers. Reviewers have praised its entertainment value, practical effects, and the performances of Balfour and Sirtis, with some calling it a “guilty pleasure” that overdelivers for an Asylum production. CrypticRock gave it 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting its twists, gore, and well-acted moments, while HorrorNews.net rated it 3.5 out of 4, urging werewolf fans to check it out.

However, the film has its detractors. Some critics, such as those at Bloody Good Horror, have called it incoherent and poorly executed, criticizing the script’s reliance on overused tropes and Santos’ uneven performance. Rotten Tomatoes reviews reflect a divide, with some dismissing it as “just bad” while others appreciated its campy B-movie charm. The title itself has been a point of contention, with some viewers finding it silly or off-putting, though others see it as a perfect encapsulation of the film’s tongue-in-cheek tone.

Common criticisms include the weak CGI, cliched dialogue, and a plot that occasionally feels rushed or disjointed. Some reviewers noted that the film takes too long to confirm the werewolf element, initially focusing on wolf attacks, which may confuse viewers expecting immediate supernatural horror. Despite these flaws, the consensus among fans is that Little Dead Rotting Hood delivers what it promises: a fun, gory, and unpretentious horror experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome at 88 minutes.

Why Little Dead Rotting Hood Matters

In the crowded landscape of direct-to-video horror, Little Dead Rotting Hood stands out for its ambition and creativity within the constraints of a low budget. By blending werewolf and zombie mythology with the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, it offers a fresh spin on familiar tropes, appealing to fans of both classic horror and modern B-movies. Its use of real wolves, strong lead performance by Eric Balfour, and self-aware tone make it a cut above many Asylum productions, earning it a cult following among genre enthusiasts.

The film also reflects a broader trend in the mid-2010s of fairy tale adaptations in horror, alongside films like Hansel & Gretel (2013) and Red Riding Hood (2011). While it may not have the polish of big-budget Hollywood fare, Little Dead Rotting Hood embraces its schlocky roots, delivering a visceral, entertaining experience that doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. For viewers who enjoy werewolf flicks, practical effects, or the quirky charm of The Asylum’s output, this film is a must-watch.

Where to Watch and What’s Next

Little Dead Rotting Hood is available on platforms like Amazon Prime, where it has found a dedicated audience. It’s also available on DVD through The Asylum Home Entertainment and Cinedigm, making it accessible for collectors of indie horror. The film’s open-ended conclusion has sparked interest in a potential sequel, with director Jared Cohn expressing enthusiasm for continuing the story. While no sequel has been confirmed as of 2025, the film’s comic book origins and cult status suggest that Samantha’s battle against the werewolves could return.

Final Thoughts

Little Dead Rotting Hood is a wild, bloody ride that transforms a beloved fairy tale into a modern horror spectacle. With its mix of real wolves, practical gore, and a charismatic cast led by Eric Balfour, it delivers a satisfying dose of B-movie thrills for fans of the genre. While it may not win over critics looking for polished storytelling, it succeeds as a fun, unapologetic addition to the werewolf subgenre. Whether you’re a horror aficionado or simply curious about a twisted take on Little Red Riding Hood, this film is worth a watch for its sheer audacity and entertainment value. So, grab your red cloak, sharpen your silver bullets, and dive into the werewolf-infested woods of Stillwater—you might just be pleasantly surprised.