Larry Fessenden’s ‘BLACKOUT’ (2024) – Review

I recently had the honor of screening Blackout, directed by Larry Fessenden (House of the Devil 2009). This new werewolf film is the latest release from Dark Sky Films. Did it have me howling at the moon?

Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis

Painter Charley (Alex Hurt, Minyan, TV’s New Amsterdam) wakes up in an upstate motel where he appears to have been living for some time. After he packs and leaves he encounters various people in the small town where everybody knows your name. Charley is saying goodbye to the estranged love of his life, Sharon (Addison Timlin, Submission, TV’s American Horror Stories), and settling his affairs with a manic urgency that culminates with a call to a friend, Earl (Motell Gyn Foster, Marriage Story, A Dog’s Way Home), saying: “You better be ready, I’m coming.”

Charley never makes it to his friend’s house: When the sun goes down he has convulsions while driving his car, goes off the road and ends up in a ditch. Charley, it seems, is a werewolf. He attacks his rescuers and moves through the outskirts of town at night wreaking havoc. But the next day he can’t remember the things he’s done. Now the tight-knit town must rally to find out what is tearing it apart: mistrust, fear, or a vicious monster.

Here’s a look at the poster art!

My Thoughts

Blackout is not a werewolf film akin to Underworld or Van Helsing. I never enjoyed either. I need something different. This film breathes new breath into the more classic feel. The werewolf can be easily put into the same league as Lon Chaney Jr. The look, the movements, and the persona relate so much to the Universal Studios version. It leaves a sweet taste in your mouth. And no it isn’t bloodlust. It’s almost nostalgic.

Besides one weird CGI moment, I can’t say anything but good things here. The film portrays everything I love about monster films. The setting, the small town, the angry mob, and so many things pay homage to the monsters and slashers of the horror genre through the years.

Another winner for me, and for this film, is Kate, played by Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator 1985). Crampton reunites with director Fessenden here following their work together on Jakob’s Wife (2021).

I also like the FX in the transformation scenes, however the transformations were a little dry for my tastes. I like my changes to be gory and detailed like in Demons 2. Though it was built on the classics, I love the modern touch. Blackout almost pulls its own way through the genre.

Lastly, I really hate jump scares. To me they are uncreative and overdone. However, Blackout doesn’t suffer from that issue. Even when there’s just a glimpse of a doorway, they resisted the temptation. I was very impressed not to have to deal with any.

After a week-long, early release in New York back in March, Blackout is streaming and available on VOD starting April 12th. Check it out!