Blackout (2008)

Blackout (2008) is a psychological thriller directed by Rigoberto Castañeda, released in 2008, starring Amber Tamblyn, Aidan Gillen, Armie Hammer and Katie Stuart.

It is based on the novel of the same name by Italian novelist Gianluca Morozzi, although the plot of the film departs significantly from the source material.

The plot tells the story of three people, including a psychopathic serial killer, who are trapped in a lift after a power cut. I don’t know how good the book is, but the film has a nasty colour, a dark image and a big dose of boredom. Indeed, the film is short, but how long can it seem? So, of course, suffocating in the horror of the situation is one thing. But to drown in a film that doesn’t give you any pleasure, I don’t see the point. It’s pure, unadulterated sadism, with no subtlety whatsoever.

The direction is incredible at times, but it’s sometimes very messy and unclear. The actors and actresses were relatively unknown to me, but that doesn’t bother me, although I’m always very happy when I recognise someone. Basically, I wanted to see another film that certainly has the same title.

Yes, I wanted to see Simon Brand’s Unknown (2006) a.k.a. Blackout (2006) starring Jim Caviezel, Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, Jeremy Sisto and Peter Stormare. Just that!!! This will probably be the or one of the next films I watch and no doubt it will be much better. Given that I’m a film buff, I still let myself be guided through the film, which didn’t really do much for me, except that the story is very disturbing and frightening.

There are no bad actors here. I think you come away depressed from this totally unfair and hopeless film. Or very little. Not everything is clear, sometimes you have to see scenes again to understand them. The incessant flashbacks are interesting, but most of the time I’m completely bored by a film based solely on flashbacks. For fans of violence and blood!