Inspired by Camilla, this directorial debut is being marketed Stateside as a bit more thrilling than the film truly is. Angels of Darkness is an interesting, slow-burn take on vampire films. Despite some uneven plotting and pacing, the film is well worth seeing for fans of Gothic stories and subtle horror.
The narrative of the film follows Lara (Eleanor Tomlinson) and her estranged father Dr. Hill (Stephen Rea) as they travel beyond the Iron Curtain. While there, Lara witnesses a car crash, and befriends Carmilla (Julia Pietrucha), a girl who survives the crash. As the relationship between the two girls intensifies, madness descends over the young women of Styria, with many of their dead bodies being found from apparent suicides. Lara must discover if Camilla is involved, or if there is a darker secret being hidden by the town of Styria.
The film is handsomely shot, creating a thick atmosphere in which the events play out. The performances by Tomlinson and Pietrucha are rich and textured, rooting the film deeply in the characters. The shame is that the film often moves away from these multi-layered characters and focuses on the strange events surrounding Camilla.
For what is a small budget film, Angels of Darkness looks like it is ready for theaters. There certainly will be lovers of the film. I appreciated the subtle approach but felt the drag of the slow pacing too often to embrace the film with open arms.
3/5
For what is a small budget film, Angels of Darkness looks like it is ready for theaters. There certainly will be lovers of the film. I appreciated the subtle approach but felt the drag of the slow pacing too often to embrace the film with open arms.3/5
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00RUGKNYK
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