When Did HollyBlood Premiere?

HollyBlood premiered in Spanish theaters on July 22, 2022. The film later arrived on Netflix on September 7 of the same year, expanding its reach to international audiences.

Key Release Dates for HollyBlood

Director Jesús Font’s vampire romantic comedy had a staggered release that began with a special festival screening before its commercial debut.

Festival Premiere: On July 12, 2022, HollyBlood screened at the Antonio Ferrandis Film Festival in Paterna (Valencia) at Cines Kinepolis. This pre-screening gave local audiences their first look at the film ten days before its theatrical release.

Theatrical Release: July 22, 2022 marks the official cinema release date across Spain. Filmax handled the theatrical distribution, bringing the film to multiple screens throughout the country during the summer season.

Netflix Launch: Six weeks after its theatrical debut, HollyBlood premiered on Netflix on September 7, 2022. This streaming release significantly expanded the film’s accessibility, making it available to Spanish-speaking audiences worldwide and international viewers through subtitles.

Production Timeline

Though released in 2022, HollyBlood’s production took place the previous year. Principal photography began in April 2021 and wrapped approximately in May 2021. The entire filming process occurred in the Valencian Community, specifically in locations including Valencia, Carcaixent, and Sueca.

The project was produced by La Canica Films, Quexito Films, SUICA Films, and Amigos y Colmillos AIE, with participation from RTVE and Netflix from the early production stages. This collaboration between Spanish production companies and the streaming platform ensured both traditional theatrical distribution and subsequent digital availability.

Strategic Release Context

The July release was strategically timed for the summer season, traditionally favorable for films targeting younger audiences. Distributor Filmax chose this period to maximize attendance from teenagers and young adults, the core demographic for this romantic comedy.

The film arrived after more than two decades without a significant Spanish vampire production. The last relevant reference in this genre had been “Brácula: Condemor II” from 1997, making HollyBlood a particularly notable project in the Spanish cinema landscape.

Initial Reception

During its theatrical run, HollyBlood generated modest box office revenue of €15,596 with approximately 2,752 viewers. These numbers reflect a limited theatrical release, a common strategy for Spanish productions planning subsequent streaming distribution.

The film received a “Not recommended for children under 12” rating from ICAA (Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts), appropriate for its teen humor content and comic horror elements.

Cast and Creative Team

Óscar Casas, younger brother of renowned actor Mario Casas, played the lead role of Javi. He was joined by Isa Montalbán as Sara, Carlos Suárez as Diego, and Jordi Sánchez (known for “La que se avecina”) as Javi’s father. Piero Méndez and Lara Boedo made their on-screen debuts with this production.

José Pérez Quintero wrote the screenplay, while Javier Salmones handled cinematography. Jesús Font, a director with experience in television series like “El Comisario” and “Caronte,” made his feature film debut with this project.

Current Availability

Since its Netflix premiere in September 2022, HollyBlood remains available on the platform. The film can be watched with original Spanish audio and subtitles in multiple languages, facilitating access for audiences across different regions.

The 87-minute runtime makes HollyBlood a light entertainment option for viewers seeking quick viewing. Netflix categorizes the film under comedy, horror, and Spanish teen movies.

Genre and Style

HollyBlood positions itself as a parody-homage to teen vampire romance films, particularly the Twilight saga. The film includes a fictional franchise called “HollyBlood” within its narrative—a movie-within-a-movie device that allows for meta-commentary on the genre’s conventions.

The comedy leans heavily into broad humor, featuring exaggerated characters and situations. Key comedic elements include an overly supportive father who misunderstands his son’s intentions, a wannabe vampire hunter obsessed with finding bloodsuckers, and physical comedy surrounding vampire hunting attempts with makeshift weapons.

Production Values

Despite being a Spanish production with a modest budget, HollyBlood achieved production values comparable to international standards. The involvement of Netflix from the planning stages provided resources for decent visual effects, particularly in vampire transformation sequences and action scenes.

The film was shot in the Valencian Community during spring 2021, taking advantage of Gothic architecture, school settings, and urban locations that provided appropriate backdrops for both the romantic comedy and horror elements.

Critical Response

Reviews for HollyBlood varied considerably. Some critics appreciated the film’s lighthearted approach and willingness to poke fun at vampire romance tropes. The performance of Jordi Sánchez as the well-meaning father received particular praise for its comedic timing and genuine warmth.

Other reviewers found the humor too broad and the pacing uneven, with the comedy sometimes overshadowing the horror elements. The film’s arrival roughly a decade after Twilight’s peak popularity led some to question the timeliness of its parody approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HollyBlood based on a book?

No, HollyBlood is an original screenplay written by José Pérez Quintero. The film features a fictional vampire saga called “HollyBlood” within its narrative that parodies literary sagas like Twilight, but the movie itself is not based on any existing novel.

Why is it called HollyBlood?

The title combines “Holly” (referencing Hollywood) with “blood,” creating a wordplay that alludes to Hollywood vampire productions and the genre’s bloody nature. Within the film, “HollyBlood” is the name of the vampire saga that obsesses protagonist Sara.

Where was HollyBlood filmed?

The film was shot entirely in the Valencian Community. Primary locations included Valencia city and the municipalities of Carcaixent and Sueca. Specific sites used include Feria de Valencia, Teatro Olympia, and various educational and public spaces throughout the region.

Did HollyBlood get a sequel?

As of now, no sequel to HollyBlood has been produced. Although the film includes a post-credits scene hinting at a possible continuation, no official plans for a second installment have been announced.

Impact on Spanish Genre Cinema

HollyBlood represents Spanish cinema’s attempt to revitalize the youth-oriented horror comedy genre. Its approach of gentle parody, combining teen romance with supernatural elements, sought to capture an audience that grew up with sagas like Twilight but from a Mediterranean perspective with local humor.

The project demonstrated the viability of Spanish fantasy genre productions with dual distribution (theatrical and streaming), a model that has become increasingly common in post-pandemic film industry. Netflix’s involvement from the initial phases guaranteed production resources comparable to international standards, evident in its visual effects and production values.

The film’s mixed reception highlights the challenges of arriving to genre parody after the source material’s cultural moment has passed. However, its preservation on Netflix ensures continued discoverability for audiences seeking Spanish-language genre entertainment or curious about contemporary Spanish cinema’s genre experimentation.