I saw mentions of the movie The Blue Diamond on social media and didn’t know much about it. However, I admit, I was excited to see Barbara Crampton’s name, and I had to watch it myself. Throw in the 80s vibes and mother-daughter drama, and I was entirely on board.
The giant ski slope in the sky
After her toxic mother, Jacqueline’s passing, a grieving daughter seeks closure in her mother’s 80s après-ski club. However, they act strangely and almost in a cult-like manner, sharing stories of Jacqueline saving them. Thankfully (for us), this is just the start of the strangeness yet to come.
This trippy sci-fi horror comedy, The Blue Diamond, is the fourth short from director Sam Fox (Fck’n Nuts, Bad Acid, Unagi). It stars Desiree Staples and horror icon Barbara Crampton. First, Crampton is delightful and outlandishly portrays the perfect narcissistic mother. Unfortunately, daughter Alison (Staples) doesn’t enjoy learning more about how her mother saved this group of weirdos. It’s almost like they are reminiscing about two separate people.
That aside, they’re all bizarrely dressed in their ski clothes and speak obsessively about Jacqueline. It’s a struggle for Alison as she tries to say goodbye to her mother, who abandoned her at age fifteen to start a ski club. No wonder she is on the verge of losing control as she listens to strangers sharing stories about how wonderful and motherly her mother was. Add to that, Alison is a recovering alcoholic and striving to move forward with her life.
It’s a bunny slope
The Blue Diamond is only sixteen minutes long. Sam Fox successfully conveys a story about a struggling daughter trying to make amends with her past and forgive her mother. Also, aliens. They just want you to join the club, and they can be pretty convincing.
Watch it for the vintage ski suits and the Bizarro cult of brainwashed Jacqueline (Crampton) worshippers. The awkward humor and fantasy-like environment are right for a horror comedy short. The V/H/S videos are my favorite aspect of The Blue Diamond. Honestly, I don’t think it needs a full feature. However, I would love to see it in an anthology or collection of sci-fi horror shorts. The Blue Diamond is currently touring the festival circuit, so keep an eye out for release dates.
