Director: Chris Sanders
Year: 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Vampire
Plot:
Several months after his wife's murder, a special agent arrives in a small British town to follow up on leads involving his daughter's kidnapping at the same time, eventually leading into the small-town human trafficking ring at the center of everything and forcing him to fight vampires to save her.
Review:
This was a rather solid if troubling genre effort. When this one works best is mostly around the intriguing setup involving the rather mysterious backstory that sets everything in motion. The opening home invasion and eventual abduction provide a fine motivation to get him involved in the hunt to track them down as the scenes featuring the abductors toying with his daughter or trying to steer him clear of their activities highlight the kind of setup at play here. The series of double-crosses, as the multitude of individuals armed with their own agendas and stakes in the situation getting involved in what's going on as well as the series of reveals about their real identities creates an intriguing enough setup focusing on this spy-style introduction to a traditional vampire effort.
The other really likable factor here is the vampire action which emerges strictly in the final half. With the only real vampire action here being a surprise reveal on an unsuspecting victim, the next time something vampire-based comes into play is the attack on those holding him hostage and trying to question him before they kill him. As this leads nicely into the series of quick action scenes showing the gang getting killed off by the creature around the village, this has some cheesy fun to be had here as it leads into the finale where the big confrontation occurs t the big house where the final battles with the remaining henchmen take place as well as the big reveal of their identity that all gives this a lot to like.
There are some issues to be had with this one. Among the biggest problems here is that this one is so convoluted with so many side characters and subplots it's incredibly confusing at times. Since everyone here is deep in the espionage game, the cryptic threats and pleasantries exchanged by everyone make it easy to forget character relationships and points to take place here. As well, the need to focus on that aspect of the film quite prominently, the film's pacing is incredibly sluggish as very little happens for a long time other than these vague threats and double-meaning conversations as everyone implying others know more than they're letting on also adds to the confusion here. Combined with the somewhat obvious and flimsy-looking gore that's messy in concept but stumbles in execution, these are the film's drawbacks.
Overview: **.5/5
Despite some confusing storylines and a lack of action at times, there are some enjoyable factors present here that makes for a decent enough indie effort when it wants to. Give this a shot if you're intrigued by the style or approach of this one while most others who aren't interested or excited by this style should heed caution.
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