Beware the Shadows in Asylum Blackout: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a DVD screener of this film was provided by IFC Midnight.

Director: Alexandre Courtès.

Writers: S. Craig Zahler, and Jérôme Fansten.

Cast: Anna Skellern, Rupert Evans and Dave Legeno.

The Asylum Blackout creates the right atmosphere for a horror feature. There are dark halls, mutilated corpses and the criminally insane hiding out in every dark corridor. The environment is chilling; yet, something is missing. The writing follows a linear structure with few deviations. This is director Alexandre Courtes' first feature with writer Craig Zahler also creating his first script here. So, understandably, the writing is cautious. The contradiction between the thrilling settings with the straight forward approach to writing still creates for an entertaining time.

The plot structure is fairly simple. Three friends and bandmates work at the local Sans Mental Institution in Washington, State. Here, they feed the crazed and hungry. Then, the crazed feed on the security guards and all hell breaks loose. The film's title should clue readers into the impetus of all the violence. Without power, the cooking staff are unable to move through the electronically locked doors. Instead, they must fight a battle royal styled match with kitchen utensils and flashlights. This is a story slightly similar to the One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) where the inmates, in fact, do run the asylum.

And those on the run include: George (Rupert Evans), Max (Kenny Doughty) and William (Marcus Garvey). George is the focus of the film. He is a hesitant hero who seems to adapt best to the dangerous environment. Some of his friends are not up to the challenge. Facing George is the malevolent Harry. George seems to think that Harry is the ringleader of the asylum riot, but the conclusion would state that the threat to George is closer to home. All of these characters are played believably by the cast. Unfortunately, the characters receive little attention nor backstory leading up to all of the violence.

This is a film that led to two theatre goers fainting during its premiere. So, there are a few gorey scenes about. A tazer to the eye comes to mind and a human fillet also creates feelings of horror. However, the film is strongest in the previously mentioned atmosphere. The music heightens the action scenes and the film's all around production is of quality. Just don't let all of the bodies unsettle you.

The Asylum Blackout is now available on video-on-demand as of May 4th. Part of a growing cadre of French horror films, Courtès creates a fairly strong outing here. The script from Zahler could have been more eleaborate and the film's conclusion is a little tacked on. Beware the twist ending, which is more head-scratcher than anything else. Definitely recommended, horror fans will find some excitement here as long as the lights are turned down low to match the chilling setting found in The Asylum Blackout.

Overall: 7 out of 10 (hard to see character's faces in darkened shots, what are they experiencing?, dark atmosphere, horrifying sights).

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Posted in: 2012,french,french horror films,ifc,ifc films,midnight,movie review,video on demand,vod