Betsy is modern micro-budget take on the classic werewolf “creature feature” flick. This is the latest from director Shawn Burkett the master behind “Don’t **** in the woods” (If you haven’t seen this film, watch it ASAP). Before you watch any of Shawn’s films you need to know what you’re getting into and need to be a fan of cheesy indie horror. Be prepared for low-budget, shaky camera work, jarring sound volumes, being blinded by the sun, or just background buzzing from the fluorescent lights above. Now that’s out of the way let’s talk about this work of art.

It’s nice refreshing when the main focus isn’t the werewolf in a film about a werewolf. The film takes place in Brookhaven Ohio and follows the story of Betsy (Erin R Ryan). Betsy is walking late at night and is dragged into the alley by a hooded man and is attacked. She survives being gnawed on her neck leaving her scarred both physically and mentally. After having to stay in the hospital for over a week she decides to stay with her old friend Kayte (Mary Lee Osborn). Kayte owns a coffee shop where Betsy helps behind the counter. She meets one of the regular customers, the local Ranger Sam (Josh Miller) and they both fall for each other the minute they both look into each other’s eyes.

After Betsy’s attack, she is tormented with haunting nightmares regularly as the infection from the bite feeds through her bloodstream. She eventually becomes her worse nightmare making Brookhaven a horrifying place to live causing carnage on the quiet sleepy town. It takes about 40 mins for the action to start but be prepared for a cardigan wearing, boob flopping monster running in the woods.

This movie is not for everyone. I would say you need to be in the right frame of mind. Prerequisites are required, either a six pack of beer or bottle of wine/spirts. One disappointment is Betsy isn’t a Gingersnaps or Trick ‘r Treat female werewolf we all love being just a powerhouse. It teased that she was going to be when you saw her room riddled with female activist posters and even a Friday the 13th poster. I really wanted to see more strengthen out of her, but you can tell the werewolf idea was an afterthought. Betsy was written at first as a blood-lusting prostitute 4 years ago. I love the fact that nearly all the special effects are practical. Supposedly there is a little bit of CGI, but I either missed it or just couldn’t tell. Camera work is good with hiding the makeup by making it extremely dark or just panning back. Blood work looks decent, I’d take ok fake blood over CGI blood any day.

So, at the end of the day, this film is exactly what it was meant to deliver. It’s not the greatest film you will ever see, and it’s surely not the worst film you will see. With all that I’m giving this flick 3 zombies out of 5.