"FAMILY BLOOD" - MOVIE REVIEW / A STORY OF ADDICTION, HORROR, AND FAMILIAL STRUGGLES

 

 

*Family Blood* is a 2018 American horror film directed by Sonny Mallhi and written by Nick Savvides and Mallhi. The film stars Vinessa Shaw as Ellie, a recovering drug addict, alongside James Ransone, Colin Ford, Ajiona Alexus, Carson Meyer, France Jean-Baptiste, and Eloise Lushina. Produced by Blumhouse Productions, and Gunpowder & Sky, the film was released on Netflix on May 4, 2018. While it attempts to blend the horror genre with a poignant exploration of addiction and family dynamics, *Family Blood* ultimately falls short of delivering a compelling narrative, despite its promising premise. 

 

Ellie, a single mother and recovering drug addict, relocates to a new city with her two teenage children, Chloe (Ajiona Alexus) and Chris, (Colin Ford). Determined to rebuild her life, Ellie secures a stable job and attends regular support group meetings to maintain her sobriety. However, the pressures of single parenthood and the lingering temptations of addiction prove challenging. Ellie’s resolve begins to waver, and she finds herself slipping back into old habits.

 

Her life takes a dark turn when she meets Christopher, (James Ransone), a mysterious and charismatic man who introduces her to a new form of addiction—one that is far more dangerous and otherworldly. Christopher is a vampire, and he gradually draws Ellie into his world, offering her a sense of belonging and escape from her struggles. As Ellie becomes more entangled in this vampiric lifestyle, her behavior grows increasingly erratic, alarming her children.

 

Chloe and Chris are forced to confront the horrifying reality of their mother’s transformation. Ellie’s newfound addiction not only threatens her own life but also endangers her family. The siblings must navigate their fractured relationship with their mother while grappling with the terrifying truth about her condition. As Ellie’s descent into vampirism deepens, the family is pushed to its limits, culminating in a tense and emotional climax. 

 

At its core, *Family Blood* is a metaphor for addiction and its devastating impact on individuals and their families. The film uses vampirism as an allegory for substance abuse, exploring how addiction can consume a person’s identity and alienate them from their loved ones. Ellie’s struggle with sobriety and her eventual relapse into a more sinister form of addiction mirror the cyclical nature of real-life substance abuse. The film also touches on themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the complexities of familial love.

 

However, while the premise is intriguing, the execution leaves much to be desired. The pacing of the film is uneven, with long stretches of exposition and character development that fail to build sufficient tension. The horror elements, while occasionally effective, are underutilized, resulting in a lack of genuine scares. The film’s attempt to balance emotional drama with supernatural horror often feels disjointed, leaving neither aspect fully realized.

 

Vinessa Shaw delivers a commendable performance as Ellie, capturing the character’s vulnerability and inner turmoil. Her portrayal of a mother grappling with addiction and the allure of a darker path is both sympathetic and unsettling. James Ransone, as Christopher, brings a quiet menace to his role, though his character is underdeveloped and lacks depth. The dynamic between Ellie and Christopher is central to the story, but their relationship feels rushed and insufficiently explored.

 

Colin Ford and Ajiona Alexus, as Ellie’s children, provide solid performances, though their characters are often relegated to the sidelines. Chloe and Chris serve as the emotional anchors of the story, representing the collateral damage of Ellie’s addiction. However, their arcs are underdeveloped, and their reactions to their mother’s transformation often feel superficial.

 

One of the film’s most significant shortcomings is its failure to fully capitalize on its unique premise. The allegory of vampirism as addiction is compelling, but the film does not delve deeply enough into this metaphor. The horror elements are too sparse to satisfy genre fans, while the emotional drama lacks the depth needed to resonate with viewers. The result is a film that feels caught between two genres, unable to excel in either.

 

Additionally, the supporting characters are thinly drawn, and their relationships with Ellie are not adequately explored. The film’s climax, while emotionally charged, feels rushed and unsatisfying, leaving several narrative threads unresolved. The ending attempts to strike a balance between hope and tragedy but comes across as ambiguous and underwhelming.

 

*Family Blood* is a film with a promising concept that ultimately fails to deliver on its potential. While it offers a fresh take on the vampire genre by intertwining it with themes of addiction and family, the execution is uneven, and the narrative lacks depth. Vinessa Shaw’s performance is a highlight, but the underdeveloped characters and disjointed storytelling prevent the film from leaving a lasting impact. For viewers seeking a thought-provoking exploration of addiction through the lens of horror, *Family Blood* may fall short, but it remains an interesting, if flawed, entry in the genre.