Blumhouse and Amazon Studios Deliver The Horror In the Initial Four Films
By Justina Bonilla
Blumhouse Television is teaming up with Amazon Studios to bring eight hair-raising tales to Amazon Prime, with the first four films: The Lie, Nocturne, Evil Eye, and Black Box, premiering on October 5 (The Lie and Nocturne) and October 13, (Evil Eye and Black Box), just in time for Halloween. There is a second series of four more films that are currently in production and will be released in 2021.
“What’s unique about this group of eight movies, is they’re all by underrepresented filmmakers, women, people of color”. Explained Blumhouse Productions founder and CEO, Jason Blum in an interview for Entertainment Weekly. “And, we decided to do that specifically, because…Our audience is very diverse…And actually, more women than men. And so, we thought that it would make sense to have filmmakers that represented that audience.”
Blum also points out how, “One of the ways we’ve been able to make great movies and TV shows is to tap into pools of talent that haven’t been drawn on over the years”. These choices have resulted in a multitude of successful memorable horror films for Blumhouse Productions, including Get Out, Split, and The Purge franchise.
All of the first four Welcome to the Blumhouse films carry the signature chills and thrills that Blumhouse Production horror properties are known for. Adding to the tension, is the universal plot each film shares about the external and internal threats that can destroy a family. The films present ethnic cultural diversity respectfully and accurately, while also evaluating a variety of relationships within a household.
Films Premiering October 6, 2020
Black Box
Director: Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour; Cast: Mamoudo Athie, Phylicia Rashad, Amanda Christine; Writers: Wade Allain-Marcus, Stephen Herman, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour; Cinematography: Hilda Mercado (The Resident, Being Mary Jane)
After tragically losing his beloved wife in a devastating car crash, Nolan (Athie) is trying to put the pieces of his life back together, now as a widowed and single father, to his young daughter Ava (Christie). Suffering from memory problems as a result of the car crash, Nolan willing participates in the experimental treatment Black Box, which could reverse the memory loss, developed by acclaimed neuropsychiatrist Dr. Lillian Brooks (Rashad).
As Nolan partakes in the Black Box treatments, he’s confronted with distorted memories and a horrifically disfigured creature threatening him harm. Unsure of what these images are and who this creature is, Nolan tries to rediscover who he is, with the support of his loving daughter, Ava, through the clues he finds in his treatments. The more treatments Nolan has, the deeper he falls into parts of his mind, beyond his wildest fears. An emotional sci-fi rollercoaster, with a loving father daughter relationship, challenging viewers to reconsider of who exactly is in charge in our own minds.
The Lie
Director: Veena Sud; Cast: Mireille Enos, Peter Sarsgaard, Joey King; Writers: Veena Sud (The Lie), Sebastian Ko (Wir Monster screenplay), Marcus Seibet (Wir Monster screenplay); Cinematography: Peter Wunstorf.
The American remake of the German film Wir Monster (We Monsters), follows the struggles of a divorced nuclear family when they are forced to come together and face a devastating reality. While on the way to a winter dance camp, Kayla (King) and best friend Brittany, go into the woods and on an isolated bridge, over a rushing icy river. When Kayla’s dad Jay (Sarsgaard) finds Kayla alone on the bridge, she tells him in a panic that, she “Pushed her off the bridge”, and, “It was an accident”.
Not knowing if Brittany is dead or alive, and terrified of the legal ramifications of Kayla’s actions, Kayla’s mom Rebecca (Enos) and Jay do everything they can to protect their daughter. Building an unstable web of lies, the parents do everything in their power to lead investigators away from Kayla, including, making Britany’s father the escape goat. As time goes on, Rebecca and Jay begin to wonder if Kayla’s strange behavior is from the trauma of the event, or something sinister. This intensely gripping mystery thriller will keep viewers captivated with each new lie, unable to look away.
Films Premiering October 13, 2020:
Nocturne
Director: Zu Quirke; Starring: Sydney Sweeny, Madison Iseman; Writer: Zu Quirke; Cinematography: Carmen Cabana (Vida, High Fidelity)
A classic tale of sibling rivalry, entrenched with lies, the supernatural, and classical music. Twin sisters, Juliet (Sweeney) and Vivian (Iseman) who are polar opposites, attend a prestigious performing arts academy and are passionate about careers in classical music. Jealous of Vivian’s success, the timid Juliet, who is always second best to her talented sister, takes a music theory book belonging to a recently deceased classmate, unaware of the supernatural power it holds.
Craving to surpass Vivian, Juliet intensely obsesses after the chance to be the lead soloist of the most important music recital of the year. With help from the haunted music theory book, Juliet’s talents surpass her sister, making them biter rivels. However, while Juliet blindly cases her dream, supernatural occurrences creating destruction in her life. This supernatural tension filled horror shows how deadly artistic perfection can be.
Evil Eye
Directors: Elan Dassani/Rajeev Dassani; Starring: Sarita Choudhury, Sunita Mani, Bernard White, Omar Maskati; Writer: Madhuri Shekar; Cinematography: Yaron Levy
When the old world and the new world clash, mother Usha (Choudhury) and daughter Pallavi (Mani) must find a way to rebuild their loving, yet strained relationship, before it’s too late. Usha, who lives in Deli, India, is a very loving, yet over protective mother to her adult daughter Pallavi, who lives a world apart in New Orleans, Louisiana. Frustrated with her mother’s constant matchmaking attempts, Pallavi finally meets Sandeep (Maskati), the man of her dreams, independent of her mother’s help.
Initially, Usha is overjoyed by Pallavi’s happiness with new relationship. However, the more she learns about Sandeep, the more suspicious she grows of him and his intentions. The ghosts of Usha’s past crash with her current life, as she tries to convince those around her that Sandeep is dangerous, with no prevail. Usha must save Pallavi, before her dark past can harm her. A visually stunning melodrama, bridging the spirits of the past, with modern struggles.