‘Where evil is seductive’
The Black Room is a 2017 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Rolfe Kanefsky (Nightmare Man; Jacqueline Hyde; There’s Nothing Out There). Esther Goodstein and David Skye produced.
The Black Room Cleopatra-The Goods Productions co-production stars Natasha Henstridge (Ghosts of Mars; Species and sequel), Lin Shaye (Insidious franchise), Dominique Swain, Alex Rinehart and Tiffany Shepis (Death House; Model Hunger; She Wolf Rising).
Plot:
A married couple moving into their new home is faced with an entity that feeds off lust and desire, corrupting and/or killing everyone in its path as it plots a horrifying plan to destroy the world…
Reviews:
“The rousing, blood-soaked climax and post-end credit scene can be viewed as one magnificent, elongated final wink at the audience. Such results in an all-around superbly done and satisfying venture. Kanefsky has delivered one of the best cinematic terrors of the year.” A Word of Dreams
“There are elements of The Entity here as well as the Shatner starrer Incubus here (even shades of Henstridge’s own Species), but those films took the horror of sexuality seriously, where this one simply makes the horror a punch line.” Ain’t It Cool News
“Every time you assume this film can’t possibly go any further over the top, it goes and does something even more nuts […] Forget logic, forget modesty, and just hang on and try to enjoy the ride as this train wreck of a film careens off the bridge.” J.B. Spins
“There are a few fun practical gags and things certainly don’t slow as the climax approaches. But if you like a little meat on your horror bone, a little something deeper to contemplate, this may not be the movie for you.” Addicted to Horror
“To be fair to Kanefsky, The Black Room contains a few surprises, and the female stars of the movie deserve a medal for surviving what looks to be rather unpleasant special effects. However, a few decently raunchy moments don’t support an entire effort, which tends to miss more than hits as Kanefsky piles on the demonic mischief.” Blu-ray.com
” …it’s pretty solid horror entertainment that finds its balance between the terror aspects of the story and the lighter, even slapstick-y moments, features some sexy bits (even if the story almost suggests more) and is carried by a compact story and a directorial effort that’s not overdoing things in any way.” Search My Trash
“The movie’s monster explains that it’s easy to weaken humans with pleasure because “it’s hard to fight what feels good.” Sharing that same strategy, The Black Room is unabashedly trashy — with scene after scene of nudity and gore — but doesn’t offer much beyond sensation.” Los Angeles Times
“Even in certain films with bad characters the actors can save what’s missing through a good performance. But we never get any strong acting, making underdeveloped characters even worse. If this isn’t bad enough, the effects work is in all the wrong places and they’re ineffective in the right ones.” Film Inquiry:
“The bloodshed is rampant and while some CGI present, most of the effects are practical and quite fun to watch. This includes a wild scene where a demonic tentacle invades a goth girl’s womb and probes so deep, it comes out of her mouth and rips off her lower face” Marc Fusion
Buy: Amazon.com
“The Black Room isn’t a great movie, but it’s a shamelessly fun one, on a visceral level. It’s full of hot chicks, nudity, and some great practical effects, which tend to even out the lame story, uneven acting, and bad dialogue. If you like sleazy B-grade flicks, you might just have fun with this one.” The Horror Club
Cast and characters:
Alex Rinehart … Dawn
Lin Shaye … Miss Black
Tiffany Shepis … Monica
Natasha Henstridge … Jennifer
Lukas Hassel … Paul
Robert Donavan … Oscar
Caleb Scott … Howard
Augie Duke … Karen
John Michaelson … Maitre’ D
Charles Marina … Mike
Catherine Annette … Alexis
Jill Evyn … Sally (Adaline: The Conjured; Axe Giant)
Victoria De Mare … Bliss
Julia Lehman … Young Maggie
Angela Cole … Chrissy
Elissa Dowling … Terry
Jeff Dylan Graham … Scoob
Michael Reed … Danny
Rachel Riley … Amber
Beverly Swanson … Desiree
Arthur “Fire” Brown … Sebastian
Al Jourgensen … Clarence (Wicked Lake)
Nick Principe … Demon / Nick
Chriss Anglin … Restaurant Patron
James Duval … Leo
Brooke Mulkins … Bookstore Sally
Dominique Swain … Stacy
Milena Gorum … Succubus
Technical details:
1 hour 34 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Fun facts:
There is a scene at the end of the credits set six months into the future.
