French Vampires are the Worst
The fact that I’ve watched only one found footage movie over the past twenty days should tell you that I’m usually not a big fan. If you read my review for Creep you’ll see that I did enjoy it nonetheless, and today I was equally surprised at how much I liked Afflicted (2013).
Derek and Clif are going on a year-long trip around the world and they plan on filming every moment. In Paris, while visiting some musician friends, Derek takes a girl home who leaves him beaten and bitten. Over the next few days, Derek slowly transforms into a bloodsucker, with each manifestation of his new powers captured on video.
Derek Lee and Clif Prowse are two talented filmmakers who have obviously been good friends for a long time. They use footage from previous films they’ve made together to establish their relationship and that history sets Afflicted apart. What’s shown at the beginning of the film is simple and straightforward, the kind of thing you would see in anyone’s travelogue and it sets the stage for these good friends. But then things get more and more elaborate after Derek is bitten and he tests out his vampiric abilities. It all culminates in a bloody battle where he’s leaping up buildings, taking multiple bullets and knocking people halfway across a plaza. Pulling off some of the stunts was quite an accomplishment. Effects were cleverly hidden or filmed around, making what you see all the more believable and entertaining.
Maybe I’m too harsh on the found footage genre, or maybe I’m just selective enough that I luckily haven’t been disappointed in the last two I’ve watched. Either way, Afflicted is one worth adding to your Halloween playlist. Highly recommended.
Availability: Netflix Canada
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