Despite once again in need of a 15-20 minute shave, A Noite do Chupacabras (Night of the Chupacabras) is already a noticeable improvement in many regards from Rodrigo Aragão’s debut. More developed characters, more involved and better-paced plotting, a larger scope that allows for humor and extended action beats.
The titular bloodsucker doesn’t appear till nearly halfway through - although its presence is felt much earlier - but the film’s escalating clan feud intensifies the pace nicely even without the creature attacks. When the chupacabra arrives, it becomes the monstrous wildcard amid a bloody battle between feuding families; Aragão commits to a rollicking collision of bullets, viscera, maulings, maimings, and black magic.
Some weird pacing hitches: a jarring (albeit entertaining)…