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Horror film

Blood Quantum (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Blood Quantum (2019) movie poster

Blood Quantum is a 2019 horror film directed by Jeff Barnaby, starring Stonehorse Lone Goeman as Gisigu, Michael Greyeyes and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $30,132 worldwide on a $5.5 million budget. Its Echo Score is 47/100.

worldwide gross
$30.1K
Echo Score
47
budget
$5.5M
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Blood Quantum (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Jeff Barnaby
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$5.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blood Quantum About?

The premise of Blood Quantum without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

The dead are coming back to life outside the isolated Mi’kmaq reserve of Red Crow, except for its Indigenous inhabitants who are strangely immune to the zombie plague.

Blood Quantum Themes & Keywords

· 28 tags
  • two word title
  • zombie outbreak
  • b movie
  • horror b movie
  • zombie
  • graphic violence
  • gore
  • canuxploitation
  • grindhouse film
  • first nations
  • indigenous
  • interracial conflict
+16 more
  • moral dilemma
  • intense violence
  • zombie apocalypse
  • social commentary
  • written by director
  • salmon
  • vomiting blood
  • bridge
  • mother son relationship
  • time jump
  • zombie bite
  • vomiting
  • body horror
  • shot to death
  • alberta canada
  • extreme violence
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Cast & crew

Blood Quantum Cast & Characters

Stonehorse Lone Goeman leads the cast as Gisigu, with Michael Greyeyes as Traylor and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers as Joss. Directed by Jeff Barnaby; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Jeff Barnaby

More films directed by Jeff Barnaby, best-rated first: Blood Quantum, Rhymes for Young Ghouls, File Under Miscellaneous and The Colony.

Full filmography
Ratings

Blood Quantum Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in sensory experience (55) and weakest in character & emotion (38).

47 /100

Blood Quantum Echo Score Breakdown

Blood Quantum delivers a mixed viewing experience, balancing a bold thematic premise with uneven execution. Critics highlight the film's fresh take on zombie lore and cultural commentary, yet both reviewers and audiences point to inconsistent direction, low‑budget production values, and pacing issues. The visual gore and distinctive setting attract genre fans, but the narrative and character work often feel underdeveloped. Consequently, the film offers intermittent engagement without achieving a cohesive, lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 48

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows flashes of visual imagination but is hampered by limited resources. Reviewers note striking blood‑filled imagery and a Carpenter‑inspired aesthetic, while many users criticize flat camerawork and low production quality. The tonal shifts and occasional clumsy editing further dilute the stylistic intent. Overall, the technical execution remains inconsistent, preventing a fully polished presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 38

    When evaluating character and emotional depth, performances are widely regarded as inadequate. Several users describe the acting as stilted, with specific roles pulling the film toward B‑movie territory, and critics label some dialogue as superficial. Although the premise of Indigenous immunity offers a unique perspective, the lack of nuanced portrayals limits audience connection. The cumulative effect is a weak emotional resonance that undermines the film's ambitions.

  • Story & Flow 44

    The story and flow of Blood Quantum present an original premise but falter in execution. Critics appreciate the novel cultural angle and occasional compelling hooks, yet many note a generic plot structure and uneven pacing. User feedback frequently mentions bleak beats and a lack of narrative cohesion, with pacing described as poor. Consequently, the film delivers moments of interest but fails to sustain a consistently engaging storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Sensory experience stands out as one of the film's relative strengths, driven by vivid gore and striking visual composition. Reviewers commend the unapologetic bloodshed and effective use of color to reinforce tone, while some users highlight flat sound design. Though a few critics cite uninspired cinematography, the overall sensory impact remains memorable for genre enthusiasts. The film thus succeeds more in visceral presentation than in nuanced auditory design.

  • Rewatch Factor 52

    Rewatch factor is moderate, offering occasional appeal for fans of zombie narratives seeking fresh representation. Critics recognize the novelty of Indigenous protagonists and a distinctive hook, suggesting repeat viewings for those interested in cultural commentary. User opinions are split, with some finding the film engaging enough for another look, while others deem it generic and unrewatchable. The mixed reception yields a modest but present replay value.

Plot

Blood Quantum Plot Summary

What happens in Blood Quantum from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

fisherman Gisigu Stonehorse Lone Goeman uncovers a striking anomaly on the surface of the Red Crow Reservation in 1981: salmon refuse to die after being gutted, continuing to move as if haunted. Across town, indigenous sheriff Traylor Michael Greyeyes responds to a dying dog belonging to his ex-wife, nurse Joss Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, and ends the animal’s suffering with a gunshot. He then visits Joss and learns their son Joseph Forrest Goodluck has been arrested for vandalism and is jailed with his half-brother Lysol Kiowa Gordon. The two tensions collide when Traylor visits Gisigu, who shows him the gutted yet moving salmon. In a grim turn, Joss’s dead dog reanimates in the trunk of Traylor’s police car, and Traylor shoots it.

Full summary

The whole story of Blood Quantum, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Blood Quantum Box Office & Budget

Blood Quantum grossed $30,132 worldwide on a $5.5 million budget.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$30.1K

International
$30.1K
Budget
$5.5M
Videos

Blood Quantum Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers and 2 featurettes.

Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Featurette TIFF 2019 Cast and Crew Q&A
  • Featurette Spotlight on Blood Quantum
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Blood Quantum?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Gisigu, the fisherman who discovers the strange anomaly with the salmon?

Cars

Cars in Blood Quantum

13 cars on screen, including the 1981 Plymouth Gran Fury and the 1969 Chevrolet C-10.

All 13 cars
  • 1981 Plymouth Gran Fury in Blood Quantum 1981 Plymouth Gran Fury Important role
  • 1969 Chevrolet C-10 in Blood Quantum 1969 Chevrolet C-10 Minor role
  • 1974 Dodge Kary Van in Blood Quantum 1974 Dodge Kary Van Minor role
  • 1987 Ford F-150 in Blood Quantum 1987 Ford F-150 Minor role
Details

Blood Quantum Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “Kwantum krwi” and “Rouge Quantum”.

Also known as
  • Kwantum krwi
  • Rouge Quantum
  • 블러드 퀀텀
  • Племенска крв
  • 血量子
  • Чистота крови
  • Quantum de sangre
  • 血疫
  • Кръвен квант
  • Horror Sangrento

Seen Blood Quantum?

FAQ

Blood Quantum FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Blood Quantum, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Blood Quantum?

Blood Quantum runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Blood Quantum released?

Blood Quantum was released on September 5, 2019.

Who directed Blood Quantum?

Blood Quantum was directed by Jeff Barnaby.

More films by Jeff Barnaby

Who is in the cast of Blood Quantum?

Blood Quantum stars Stonehorse Lone Goeman as Gisigu, Michael Greyeyes as Traylor and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers as Joss, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Blood Quantum make at the box office?

Blood Quantum grossed $30,132 worldwide on a budget of $5.5 million.

Does Blood Quantum have a post-credit scene?

No. Blood Quantum has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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