Black Box

If you like Black Mirror you'll probably enjoy this. Wouldn't classify this as horror but more sci-fi, drama. The acting is superb.

I put it on last night on my phone while in bed, the tags of Sci-Fi, Mystery and Horror giving me hope that it will be something mind-boggling and a bit scary that will keep me on my toes.

I was wrong, though. The movie started out OK, but later on became quite predictable and around the middle or right before, I already had figured out the mystery and the second half of the movie was rather boring.

It doesn't help that at around 60% of the movie, I started falling asleep and left it to finish it the next day and it actually managed to feel even cheesier in some parts.

The acting was for the most part OK, except for the protagonist's daughter that seemed way too mentally and emotionally mature for her age to the point where I started questioning is this a Horror or a Comedy/Parody.

The rest of the movie was almost spot on, except that it was too predictable and not scary at all, if I started falling asleep while watching it alone in the dead of the night, it says how "scary" it is.

Overall, I don't regret watching it, but I could've definitely watched some better and more rewarding Sci-Fi Mystery that I was originally looking for.

'Black Box (2020)' follows a man who, following a near-fatal car crash, undergoes an experimental procedure in an attempt to cure his amnesia. It's a bit of an unbalanced blend between sci-fi and horror, bouncing between its genres rather than embodying them simultaneously. Still, both aspects are pulled off pretty well and the overall result is an entertaining experience throughout. It's a bit of a puzzle-box piece. As it progresses, its layers slowly get peeled back; in fact, the entire thing gets turned on its head around halfway through. It's engaging and interesting, a relatively complex story that keeps you invested throughout. Though some of its pseudo science does come across as a tad silly, the flick has a solid emotional centre that keeps things grounded and resonant. Though it isn't all that memorable in the long run, it's a surprising and ever-evolving affair that's enjoyable throughout. 7/10

"Black Box" is the one of a first batch of movies made in partnership between Amazon Prime and Blumhouse productions, famed budget studio that specialises in making horror movies. Though by no means a bad film, I do wonder if that Blumhouse name might give people incorrect expectations about "Black Box" that may lead to disappointment.

Six months after losing his wife in a car accident, Nolan (Mamoudou Athie) is struggling with memory issues related to the severe head trauma he received. This is impacting his ability to care for his daughter Ava (Amanda Christine), so he agrees to undertake an experimental therapy from leading specialist, Doctor Lillian Moore (Phylicia Rashad), which combines element of hypnosis and virtual reality. Exploring his own memories, Nolan comes under threat from an unrecognisable and barely human form.

When I mention expectations, even in that synopsis it sounds like the movie is a horror film - and the character of backwards man, played by Troy James, who I've seen perform on "The Flash", is certainly a creepy element. But beyond him, the film is more of a science fiction thriller, than it is a horror film - and that may disappoint some brought by the Blumhouse name. Away from that aspect, the film has the good sense to use its rather obvious twist well before the end, and then use that as an exploration point for the finale, rather than as the ending itself. That said, I thought overall the film was a little dull and struggled to full maintain my attention for the duration.

However, it is the first feature for Writer/Director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour and for screenwriter Stephen Herman and though, as I say, I thought the plotting was a little pedestrian, from a technical standpoint the film is pretty good. It often interesting to look at, and what visual effects the film has are nicely done. Mamoudou Athie is decent as the lead, a little bland at the start but that does begin to make sense as the film goes on.

I have no massive regrets about watching it, but it was all just a little too mediocre to consider recommending it.

Black Box begins intriguingly - a single father suffering from amnesia tries to regain his memories through a tech-backed experiment. The dynamic between father (Mamoudou Athie) and daughter (a terrific Amanda Christine, the true star of the film) is warmly established. It takes about an hour before the big (predictable) twist arrives, and thereafter, Black Box descends into a heap of melodrama. I didn't find Black Box positioning itself in the horror genre except for the first time the Backwards Man (played to astounding effect by actor-contortionist Troy James) pops up. It's very clearly a psychological sci-fi thriller that focuses less on the sci-fi and more on familial bonding.

The performances (from the all-black ensemble) are good enough to drive the film forward even during its melodramatic portions, with Amanda Christine being the standout performer, followed closely by Phylicia Rashad (as Dr. Brooks). The film has most elements of a Blumhouse production and blurry parallels to Jordan Peele's Get Out can be drawn. However, once the initial uneasiness recedes, Black Box is content being a little sappy in its proceedings. While I was never bored watching Black Box, I felt it could have been better.