Directed by Jimmy Drain, who also appears in this movie and co-wrote it with Robert Bieber and Lewis Leslie, Realm of Shadows is an anthology horror film that boasts appearances by two pretty famous talents in Tony Todd and Vernon Wells, as well as Richard Tyson (Kindgergarten Cop) and Harley Whalen (Ash and Bone).

The connecting story — all horror anthologies need them! — is about a group of priests — Bishop Lucian (Mel Novak) and Brother Charles (Michael S. Rodriguez) — battling a coven of witches led by Nalum (Erika Monet Butters) — there’s even a Ouija board! — over a dagger that was used to stab Jesus in the side. Their battle brings the stories to life, several of which are based on tales that have actually happened.

The stories are:

Mallick’s Dreamlady: A man named Mallick (Drain) is able to pick up his dream girl (Leah Saxon) after help from a bartender (Mike Apple) who may not exist. This story was originally a short film directed by Drain and written by Tim Keller that was made in 2009.

Hike: The same man (Drain) keeps waiting to propose so long than his girlfriend (Morgan Weaver) leaves, which makes him loses his sanity. This is another short that Drain directed and Keller wrote in 20111.

Abashed: Jane and Thomas (Cassie Kelso, Mark Mook) have a bad break-up but when black magic gets involved, it turns out that true love may be the only enemy of evil. This is the short Abashed that was made in 2020.

The Initiation of Professor Kimmer: A new professor named Daniel Kimmer (Drain) is seduced by a student named Starr (Luba Bocian) and could lose his happy world with Jamie (Emily Absher). Starr wants more than just lovemaking. She may want his soul. But perhaps that soul is already owned by Jamie and her coven. This is taken from the 2011 short of the same name, directed by Drain and written by Lewis Leslie.

Cadaver: Peggy (played by Jodi Lynn Thomas, voiced by Ashe Medina) finds one of those witchcraft dancing schools we’ve all seen in movies, this one owned by Beedham (Caustic Scifidelic, who also did the score). It may cost so much more than money.

Meet Michael: Gaylen (Mara Davala) is a five-year-old girl so afraid of monsters that her parents hire an exorcist. This is from the 2017 short of the same name, directed by Brian McCulley and written by Drain.

Finally,Fate Upside Down  has the witches and priests fight it out for the dagger, which brings in Father Dudley (Todd) and his son Robby (Drain). This has animation and werewolves, as well as the characters from the first two stories, plus a last second appearance by Wells soon follows.

Realm of Shadows is a lot better than most streaming anthologies. It seems to have a central idea about love and evil, as well as moments of experimentation, even silent movie elements. It definitely looks way better than its budget would suggest and I’d love to see where Drain takes this in the sequel that is built by the ending.

You can watch this on Tubi.