The Masters of Horror Series really kicked into gear during their second season with The V Word. I've always liked director Ernest Dickerson but I wondered if he was a valid member for the list. Sure, his films have a My-Way-or-the-Highway kind of appeal and inevitably feature his unique vision, but having only helmed two horror features - Demon Night and Bones - I was curious what he would bring to the plate. The V Word is quite simply a knockout.

Justin and his best friend decide to go to a funeral home to see the body of a teenage kid who was recently killed. They accidentally stumble across something much more horrific and there isn’t a very good chance they'll escape. The first half of The V Word is a slow-burn of a horror film. Every frame brims with a feeling of dread. And that’s just the beginning! It’s no secret that V is for vampire, but this is not your ordinary caped villain. Ironside is as creepy and realistic looking as they come. He may be imbued with super human strength but you never doubt he could rip the flesh off your throat for a second.

The second half goes onto a wider scope, taking Justin (Branden Nadon) on a slow descent into hell. He has to prove his loyalties to his family, his friend and himself. I spent the last few minutes of The V Word with my hands cupped over my mouth! It’s a jaw dropping film with tons of suspenseful moments thanks to Dickerson’s tight direction, a strong script by Mick Garris and great acting by the two leads. This kind of atmospheric horror is hard to come by but Dickerson doesn’t miss a trick with awesome lighting and some magnificent special effects. But most importantly, this is a very human film. Branden and Arjay Smith as Kerry never overplay their parts and actually come across as great friends, which makes their plight all the more tragic. Perhaps casting Michael Ironside as the bad guy isn’t exactly a revolutionary idea, but he always fits the bill. Always.

If you’re looking for an intelligent and scary film with lots of twists and turns, you could certainly do worse than to check out The V Word. So, I started out a skeptic and now I can’t wait to see what horror offerings Dickerson will present next. I hope he doesn’t wait too long.