Blacklight (2023)

Cults creep me the hell out and The Blacklight, with its heavy atmosphere and its cool sequences, nails all the reasons why they are quickly becoming my favorite subjects for horror titles.  But the film is not content just to creep out its audience.  The Blacklight combines humor and some darkly comic sequences in its running time and presents its audience with a zany thriller which is not content to rest on one genre. 

Written by Brooks Russell and director Nick Snow and starring Grant Lancaster, Richard Templeton and Brooks Russell, this comic thriller is a unique entry into the whole cult subgenre of horror titles and it begins with a rather unsettling sequence that sees white-faced cultists slashing the neck of their latest victim with an eclipse following the spray of blood.

"delivers with an engaging uniqueness which must be applauded.  Everyone on board here is having fun and it shows"


From that beginning, we enter into the humdrum life of Danny (Lancaster) who, thanks to several repetitive edits, is quite bored of his landscaping gig in upstate New York.  He misses the criminal life he left in LA when he was working low-level muscle for a drug ring.  Which is how he winds up stealing a supernatural garment . . .

. . . and ends up with a bloodthirsty cult on his trail. 

Full of dark humor, a cast of crazy characters, and lots of interesting situations which are quickly spun on their head, this thriller is definitely swinging for the fences as the race is on to keep it protected.  The Blacklight delivers with an engaging uniqueness which must be applauded.  Everyone on board here is having fun and it shows.

With an expressive lens and some great locales, The Blacklight positions thieves against a murdering cult as two childhood friends reunite to steal an ancient ceremonial garment which, unbeknownst to them, holds a hell of a lot of power.  It is a power not felt on this earth since the dawn of creation and it calls out to those who guard it, shielding its power from weaker minds, begging for release.

But when Liam (Brooks Russell), the rich kid who goes from target to co-conspirator, suggests robbing a mansion he is familiar with, all bets are off, and this supernatural garment is let loose upon the world.  Are the thieves strong enough to keep hold of such a powerful item?Blacklight (2023)

With the help of another low-life, Kit (Corey Rutledge), they break into the mansion and end up with the garment in their possession. Once its powers are known, the fighting begins, and word quickly spreads among the crime world. Meanwhile, a shadowy cult is hunting for the garment and will stop at nothing to get it.

Worlds collide, characters clash, and alliances are formed. Competition is fierce and the characters - thanks to great performances from all involved - absolutely deliver.  Who will be the last one standing?  It’s anyone’s guess in this wild thriller from Dashford Media.

 Co-starring Richard Templeton, Brad Stuart, Victor Verhaeghe, Samantha Aneson, and Michael Dale, The Blacklight is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, AppleTv, and Vudu.

4/5 stars

Film Details

Blacklight (2023)

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime:
120 mins
Director
: Nick Snow
Writer:
Brooks Russell; Nick Snow
Cast:
Grant Lancaster; Richard Templeton; Brooks Russell
Genre
: Horror
Tagline:
Watch Your Eyes.
Memorable Movie Quote:
Theatrical Distributor:
Dashford Media
Official Site: https://www.dashfordmedia.com/theblacklight
Release Date:
April 24, 2023
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:

Synopsis: Despite trying to leave behind a life of crime, Danny reluctantly teams with naïve rich kid Liam and wildcard drug dealer Kit Viper for a robbery that leaves them in possession of a mysterious supernatural artifact with immense power.

Art

Blacklight (2023)