The story for “Blackout” opens under the silver light of a very bright moon. Two lovers take to an open field to indulge in some primal feelings they are both having. To paint a foreboding picture a menacing growl is heard before one of them ends up very deceased. In the quiet, idyllic upstate hamlet of Willowbrook, a dark secret lurks beneath its seemingly peaceful facade. Charley (Alex Hurt, Bonding TV Show), an ordinary resident, carries a burden that sets him apart from the rest. He firmly believes that he is a werewolf.
The Secret of Charley: A Small Town Ravaged by Darkness
He is haunted by the knowledge that he can’t recall the acts he commits during the night. The townsfolk are left to grapple with the aftermath of random acts of violence. The local papers chronicle these incidents. This leaves the community to wonder if they are victims of human frailty. Or if something far more sinister is at play. Fear and mistrust have begun to spread. Each night, they lock their doors tightly, and whispers of a malevolent monster are whispered between them. The once tightly-knit community now finds itself divided.
Whether Charley’s belief in his lycanthropic nature is a delusion seems quickly sorted. His art reflects the images he takes from his dreams. As a painter, his brushstrokes tend to his darker side. He often wakes in the woods or the grass, covered in blood. Mostly though, there is a slight air of ambiguity. Is Charley transforming into a sharp-toothed killer? Or are his penchant for alcohol and inner turmoil the cause of his woes?
Blackout Film is a Creature Feature
Charley approaches his day with a clear purpose in mind. He takes on a to-do list. It involves repairing his relationship with his former girlfriend Sharon (played by Addison Timlin). He also uncovers the corrupt actions of a land developer (portrayed by Marshall Bell). Additionally, he helps an unjustly accused construction worker (played by Rigo Garay) clear his name. His moral obligations spur the werewolf aspect on in Blackout. He stands up against the prejudices of some. He seeks justice for those who have been wronged. He then puts a stop to his carnage.
Blackout isn’t director and writer Larry Fessenden’s first rodeo with folklore and monsters. Some of this other work reimagines Vampires, Frankenstein, Zombies, and more. Like many of his films, the budget is small. However, the results are polished, including well-known horror actors and actresses.
The sound design is well-considered. It creates a moody and ethereal atmospheric tension that underpins the quiet nature of the narrative itself. Blackout wants to understand the mind of the man behind the affliction. The film portrays an introspective approach rather than an out-of-control monster wreaking havoc every month.
“A house divided willnot stand.”
As always with my monster stories which deal with the fantastic, I try to explore subjectivity. I also explore the slipperiness of reality.
Quote from Blackout and directors note from director Larry Fessenden on what makes his monsters tick.
Blackout is rated
2.5 decapitations out of 5
Blackout Where to Watch
Blackout 2023 is streaming on:
Larry Fessenden’s werewolf forward film, Blackout was screened at 2023’s Fantasia Film Festival on July 20th, 2023.
Glass Eye Pix produced the film. Yellow Veil Pictures, Umbrella Entertainment, and Dark Sky Films picked it up for distribution. The feature film was provided as a screener for review purposes. For another take on all things werewolf, check out A Nightmare on Film’s Street review of Blackout 2023.
