MUST SEE! NEW BLOOD:THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER

THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER
A24
2017 color
93 Mins.
Horror/Thriller
Emma Roberts, Kiernan Shipka, Lauren Holly, Lucy Boynton and James Remar star.
Written and Directed by Oz Perkins
Rated R for strong language, violence and gore.

A few years ago this film opened to rave reviews under the much better ambiguous title of "February". I was lucky enough to see it and I'm so glad that it's finally out so that everyone can experience this exceptional genre experience. It's an odd sort of film and one I refuse to spoil for anyone by giving away too many details. But here's what it's kind of about. There are two main stories here being interwoven together. Both are about seemingly troubled young woman. One of them is stuck at a boarding school for winter break and the other is traveling cross country. As the proceedings play out you begin to discover strange things about them and their stories which involve a multitude of creepy things that roll out unexpectedly leading up to a disturbing, thought provoking conclusion.

The movie has many strengths but I'd first like to point the quiet intensity it possesses. Like the best of the genre the film builds a palpable atmosphere of dread from it's opening moments to it's last. They sustain that dread throughout making the audience feel both immersed in the spaciness of what's going on and unable to look away from gruesomeness to come.

 This film is without a doubt of the slow burn varietal and only viewers with patience will be rewarded by it's dark delights. Those looking for jump scares or action look else where. This is a psychological, character driven film. Believable, tragic and haunting. The film feels so unique and original and is written and directed by former doofy but adorable actor Oz Perkins (Legally Blonde) in his astounding cinematic debut.

 Oz is also the son of Screen legend of Horror alumni Anthony Perkins.

 Aside from accomplished direction and writing the film also features two ridiculously great performances from Shipka and even more impressively from Roberts. Shedding their teen girl roots in favor of something much darker and way more complex.

The film's cinematography is also inspired as is the soft, melodic, nightmare inducing score.  I would also like to point out that this film is definitely not for everyone. the greatest works of art are polarizing sending viewers in both directions. Undoubtedly horror this film goes beyond what's expected as it delves into issues of youth, grief and the disconnection of humanity. It's a rare thing to watch a horror film this artistic and poetic.I really want to say much more but I'm gonna be good. All I can say is that it's truly disappointing to see this film is being buried to a limited theatrical/VOD release. I have a feeling that there are gonna be great things from everyone involved. Unfortunately Perkins followed up this masterpiece with the dreadfully boring but atmospheric Netflix horror film The Pretty thing that lives next door but with the release of his first film finally I'm sure he will begin to garner the attention that he deserves and deliver on it. When I originally saw this I was blown away and felt it was the best film of the year and that feeling has not changed. Don't miss it! ****.75/5