Devanny Pinn cements her scream queen status by stepping behind the camera to direct the brutal and unflinching THE BLACK MASS. This gripping take on the infamous Ted Bundy murders joins the ranks of the most raw and authentic dramatizations of the serial killer on film.
An indie horror powerhouse cast brings the grim story to life, led by a revelatory Andrew Sykes as the charming and merciless "Me." Sykes captures both the magnetism and the unfathomable evil of Bundy, particularly the moment the final traces of humanity vanish. It's a descent into madness equal parts mesmerizing and terrifying.
Pinn doesn't shy away from violence, but neither does she revel in it. Carnage erupts on screen not for cheap thrills but to force us to confront the horrific actions head-on. The deep respect for the victims is evident in Pinn's commitment to showing the truth in all its dark complexity.
The familiar beats of Bundy's modus operandi - sweeping women off their feet only to subject them to unthinkable torment - are made fresh again through raw performances and stark cinematography. We may know the outline, but THE BLACK MASS overwhelms us with the claustrophobic horrors inside.
This is a hard watch, make no mistake. The triggers are real. But Pinn's willingness to plunge into the darkest depths of the Bundy mythos results in some of the most intense and affecting sequences of 2023. THE BLACK MASS earns its place among the most chilling and credible dramatizations of Bundy ever filmed.
Viewers with an appetite for uncompromising true crime horror won't find a more worthy examination of the psyche of a killer. THE BLACK MASS is a harrowing cinematic experience and an announcement that Devanny Pinn is a director to be reckoned with.
4.5/5
THE BLACK MASS is directed by Devanny Pinn and stars Pinn, Andrew Sykes, Brittney Ayona Clemons, Chelsea Gilson, Jeremy London and Eva Hamilton.
Comments