Blackout [Fantasia International Film Festival Review]
Noted horror filmmaker Larry Fessenden used his distinct, low-key storytelling style to tackle vampires in Habit, the Frankenstein tale in Depraved, and now vampires in Blackout. The movie had its world premiere at the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival, and seems primed to have a strong life in regular release. If you want non-stop werewolf action, as in The Howling, look elsewhere. Fessenden gives us blood and guts, but this is primarily a thoughtful, introspective experience.
Set in the small town of Talbot Falls, New York, the story follows artist Charley Barrett (Alex Hurt). He believes himself to be a werewolf and claims personal responsibility for a series of brutal slayings that have rocked the area. With a plan in place to solve his problem permanently, Charley first sets out to accomplish a to-do list. His agenda includes making amends with his former girlfriend Sharon (Addison Timlin), exposing a corrupt land developer (Marshall Bell), and clearing the name of a Latino construction worker (Rigo Garay) the town’s more bigoted residents have blamed for the killings, without evidence.
Blackout has a fresh angle on the werewolf concept. Fessenden takes it 100% seriously, asking, “What if someone really did turn into a lycanthrope?” The killings aren’t played for thrills, they’re played for reality. Charley’s attitude is, too. He recognizes the transformation and is extremely aware of – and dismayed by - what it has caused him to do. A moral center anchors the film, as he addresses the need to prevent further carnage, then makes attempts to leave the town a better place before he checks out. Rather than telling a story centered around who the werewolf will kill, Fessenden explores the inner turmoil one might reasonably feel upon turning into a monster.
Alex Hurt is good in the lead role, conveying to the audience how much Charley is impacted by his predicament. We understand his need to right a wrong by performing a few positive acts. Colorful supporting characters add to the flavor. James Le Gros is here as a local bigot, Joe Swanberg plays Sharon’s new beau, and Barbara Crampton has a juicy cameo as an attorney helping Charley bring down the developer. They and others help Talbot Falls become a fully realized place, which adds to the impact. After all, Charley knows his friends and neighbors are potential victims.
Attack scenes are appropriately brutal and bloody, and Fessenden tosses in a cool, stylistic sequence comprised of paintings to suggest one of Charley’s rampages. Transformation scenes are handled creatively to compensate for a low budget. Blackout has a couple scenes that run on longer than necessary. The pace would have been tighter if they were slightly shorter. Generally, though, this is a satisfying werewolf picture made with intelligence, emotion, and a hint of dark humor.
Blackout is unrated, but contains violence, sexuality/nudity, language. The running time is 1 hour and 40 minutes.
