Black Box (2020)
This week I'm reviewing Black Box which I found on Amazon Prime Video last week and decided to watch due to its raving reviews, new story, and cast. I was truly in for a treat! I mentioned on Facebook that it was a difficult watch not because it was frightening but the manner in which the themes were presented. If you are someone who is sensitive to themes such as or relating to domestic violence, mental health issues, trauma, etc this may not be suited for you. Moving forward I will be posting disclaimers just to be on the safe side. My goal is to make everyone comfortable.
Black Box was released on October 6, 2020 by Amazon Studios. It was directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr and produced by John H. Brister. Osei-Kuffour teamed with Stephen Herman for the screenplay and story. The film stars Mamoudou Athie, Phylicia Rashad, Amanda Christine, and Tosin Morounfola. The film is part of the Welcome to the Blumhouse film series (which we can explore further in future posts). The film runs for 100 minutes total.
Nolan Wright attemps to regain control of his life after a car wreck that left him suffering with amnesia and the loss of his wife, who was also in the same incident. With the help of his 10-year old daughter Ava, he tries to move forward with no luck. With no other options available or avenues to turn to he decides to undergo experimental treatment that leaves him questioning his sanity.
I have nothing but great things to say about Black Box to be completely honest and I am still stunned days later after watching. Most modern horror movies don't do anything for me because they follow a formula I don't quite understand yet but one common denominator is realism. A story based on experimental therapy during an era where mental health is beginning to be taken seriously moves you immediately. Black Box was fantastic for not just creating tension but keeping it throughout the film. It gives you the discomfort you don't often find in new horror giving the perfect atmosphere. Both dialogue and acting were graceful, natural, and professional. Soundtrack was so fitting you forget it's there. It was appropriate and fit perfectly with every scene. The conclusion was satisfying yet mind boggling but I'll leave it there. My only con was the length of time but I believe they used this as a tool to support a gracefully-moving story as opposed to filling in any gaps.
Black Box possesses an immersive and highly emotional plot that keeps you hooked from the beginning. To put it bluntly: it was fucked. There is nothing more horrifying than your own mind. The film is best watched on your own first and then you can watch it with your friends to see their reactions. I highly recommend this to everyone but especially if you can appreciate a story-based film.
My overall rating is 10/10 based on:
-Raw, immersive story
-Original plot
-Acting
-Dialogue
-Themes
-Atmosphere
-Soundtrack
Thank you for reading! Black Box was fantastic all around and perhaps the best among modern horror films. Even though I'm not very old I often find myself comparing newer horror with what I grew up watching and it's unfair because there are some gems out there revolutionizing the genre waiting to be discovered. There will be more of that here in the near future.
There is still time to vote for June's review. Make sure to get your vote in before it closes Saturday, June 25th. You can vote here:
http://poll-maker.com/poll4384187xd9Aa43Eb-138
Quick shoutout to Anna Westfall for future film recommendations. Can't wait to include them here!
Stay safe and make wise decisions!
-CL
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