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The Blacklight

The Blacklight (2021)

Despite trying to leave behind his life of crime, Danny reluctantly teams with naïve rich kid Liam and wildcard drug dealer Kit Viper. A botched robbery leaves them in possession of a mysterious supernatural artifact with immense potential.

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Directed by Nick Snow

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Nick Snow
Writer
  • Brooks Russell
  • Nick Snow
Producer
  • Zena Wood
  • Corey Scott Rutledge
  • Don Hatton

Reviews

tmdb64655390
8/10

Having not known anything about Dashford Media aside from the fact that they aren’t a huge movie studio, I went into the theater expecting a level of quality much lower than I would normally expect while sitting in an AMC. I was extremely excited to learn that this was not at all true. _The Blacklight_ is an extremely well made film by a group of very creative and skilled people. The lighting of the film was what caught my eye mainly. There were some scenes in which the lighting was truly beautiful. One scene in particular is the one in which Danny is in a car and light from outside (I’m assuming an electronic billboard or a neon sign) continuously flashes a couple different colors, changing the entire color and vibe of the car. The feeling of this scene is just really cool. In addition the music in the movie was quite good. It always seemed well timed, and at the proper volume which is something many smaller productions struggle with. While a few of the parts seemed a little overacted, others went above and beyond. I thought Grant Lancaster did a terrific job as Danny and many of the closeups of Danny were shot in such a visually appealing way. Lancaster’s appearance fit the role of the protagonist in the story perfectly. The shining star of this production however is Richard Templeton as Lucky. Lucky is acted in a way that frightens the audience. He is a complete maniac that Templeton manages to capture to perfection. To wrap it all up, I think the writers hit the jackpot on the story. The story itself is so unique and interesting. The way that each character is different and unique creates excitement as the viewer tracks them and tries to predict what will happen next in the wild sequence of events in this film. I highly recommend seeing and supporting _The Blacklight_ in whatever way possible. I wish great things for the film as well as its cast and crew.

Apr 2, 2022

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Thematic Analysis

This Thriller/Horror/Crime/Mystery/Fantasy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Blacklight presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by blending supernatural elements with realistic human reactions.

Director Nick Snow brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2021, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The Blacklight took approximately 25 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 120 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 164 minutes long.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.

Historical Context

  • In 2021, when this film is released:
  • Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
  • Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
  • Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.

How This Film Stands Out

While The Blacklight shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike The Outsider, which focuses more on action than character development, The Blacklight subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Deathwatch and Violent Cop explore similar territory, The Blacklight stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: April 24, 2021
  • Runtime: 2h

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