From Black – Shudder Review (3/5)

FROM BLACK on Shudder is a new Shudder Original horror movie. This one stars Anna Camp which, in itself, is enough reason to check it out. Fortunately, you’ll be happy you did as the horror vibe is damn strong with this one. Read our full From Black movie review here!

FROM BLACK is a new Shudder Original horror movie. With a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes, I was afraid it could be a tad too long. However, while it could have been trimmed a bit, the runtime does work quite well. Especially because there is a solid horror vibe that only gets more intense as the story progresses.

To be completely honest, I think there’s a fairly big chance (or risk, if you will) that many viewers will guess a few of the plot twists. However, it takes nothing away from the movie as the plot is fairly simple and it’s that intense creepy energy that lifts it up. Well, that along with Anna Camp as the star!

Continue reading our From Black movie review below. Find it on Shudder and AMC+ from April 28, 2023.

Anna Camp goes dark

It’s not that we haven’t watched Anna Camp in genre productions before. We absolutely have – and loved every moment. However, she does often get to play quite campy (oh yes, pun very much intended) characters. The kind of character that might kill ten people but be very flippant about it because it was a necessary evil.

She was awesome in True Blood and did a great job in the Creepshow Holiday Special “Shapeshifters Anonymous” from 2020. Seriously, you’ll want to check out that one. You can find our review of the Holiday Special episode here >

However, in From Black, she plays a dark and desperate character. A woman who is a recovering drug addict. Also, and this is key to the plot of the movie, a woman who has a son, but the son has been missing for seven years. There is nothing for Cora (Anna Camp) to live for really.

Until someone promises that she can get her son back!

The strong ending of From Black on Shudder

I don’t think the From Black ending will be dividing viewers, but you can never tell. It does give answers, which seems to be what people dislike. It’s just also a bit sudden, but that works for the story.

The whole deal with Cora getting her son back is a plot that might sound familiar to a few of you. Something similar was used as a plot driver in the mystery thriller ReBroken. In that particular movie, the character promising to bring back a dead child is portrayed by the Jigsaw actor Tobin Bell.

Also, the Irish horror movie A Dark Song has a touch of a similar plot. Do check out that one. Wow!

Basically, I’m trying to say that the plot did feel a bit familiar to me. If it was due to having watched these other movies, I can’t tell. But I can say that I enjoyed the brutal and harsh ending of From Black. Sure, you might have anticipated that particular From Black ending, but that doesn’t make it bad. It just makes it even more right!

Watch From Black on Shudder!

The director of From Black is Thomas Marchese, and he also wrote the screenplay with Jessub Flower. This is the feature film debut of the director but Thomas Marchese did also write and direct the documentary Fallen in 2017. For Jessub Flower, this movie is also a debut. He is also an associate producer of the film.

The story itself is interesting and the core concept of wanting to do anything and everything to bring back a loved one is relatable to most. Especially if one feels that they have any part in their death – directly or indirectly.

There are a few storytelling elements that felt a bit off to me. Particularly related to – ironically enough – who the characters are related to and how they act around one another. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but it did throw me off a bit.

As far as the horror is concerned, I loved the effects used. The practical effects are awesome and whenever something “bigger” or more complex takes place, the use of shadows or a mildly blurry distance is used. It’s smart and very efficient. Basically, I recommend that horror fans check this out for the vibe and acting more than the story. But hey, that’s okay!

From Black is on Shudder from April 28, 2023.

Details

Director: Thomas Marchese
Screenwriters: Jessub Flower & Thomas Marchese
Cast: Anna Camp, Jennifer Lafleur, John Ales, Travis Hammer, Richie Montgomery