Stylish with solid production values and a professional cast that belies what is surely an ultra-low budget flick, From Black doesn’t reach the high bar, but it makes its way up the pole far enough to keep the viewer curious, if not exactly rapt.
Synopsis:
A recovering drug addict, desperate for closure and saddled by crushing guilt after the disappearance of her young son7 years prior, is presented with a bizarre offer to learn the truth about what happened and set things right – if she is willing to pay a terrifying price. How dark is she willing to go for a chance at redemption?
Cora (Anna Kamp) is the guilt–ridden Mom who, one day, finally speaks out in a support group she has silently attended for years. The group’s leader, (a superb John Ales) who also lost a child though horrific circumstances) approaches Cora outside of class. How would she like to see her missing son again? It sounds crazy, he says, but it is possible…IF you follow my instructions.
From here, director, writer Thomas Marchese slows the procedural down a bit much – and it is literally a procedure though which Cora must follow before getting the chance to see her
son – IF she’s really going to see him at all.
Important supporting players keep things believable, and although the ending doesn’t ring the bell high enough for a cigar- it does keep us invested in the characters – even after it ends and goes….to black.
From Black is Currently Streaming on Shudder