Ollie Cross (Sheridan), an inexperienced paramedic, and Rutkowsky (Penn), an experienced veteran medic on their night shift in New York City are two classic Hollywood characters working together – an ironclad veteran training a novice.
Black Flies paints an unsettling portrait of urban despair that resonates with anguish. While its brutal realism may become tiresome over time.
Director
Black Fly marks Jason Bourque’s directorial debut and is an impressive exploitation thriller. Starring Tye Sheridan and Sean Penn as EMTs who find themselves caught up in an endless cycle of violence and bloodshed. Based on serial killer Noel Winters who terrorised Bourque’s hometown. Black Fly is an emotionally draining ride, yet its acting and cinematography are stellar; I would highly recommend watching it.
While Black Flies features plenty of skill and style, its story falls victim to its own emotional numbness. Based on Shannon Burke’s 2008 novel of the same name, this movie follows Ollie Cross (a rookie), along with Rutkovsky (more experienced). Both men share pasts – Rutkovsky is particularly haunt by his failure to save his mother. Their work takes them into volatile environments filled with family tensions or potentially dangerous environments that agitate family members further complicating matters.
Sauvaire sets each terrifying encounter like a war film, using flashing red lights, kaleidoscopic sirens and incoherent shrieking to heighten tension. And emphasise breathless chaos on life-and-death missions with close-ups of panicked faces. And the foul smell of bodily fluids – creating a film which feels both terrifying and captivating – thanks to Sheridan and Penn playing off each character’s strengths and weaknesses brilliantly.
Bourque displays an eye for New York’s seediest corners, and his editing creates an unrelenting barrage of visceral chaos. Citing Scorsese, Ferrara, and Friedkin as his sources of inspiration it’s clear how their influence can be seen throughout Black Fly – it was even select as one of five competing films at Cannes Film Festival!
The movie’s most intriguing aspect lies in its exploration of the circumstances that can transform someone into an outright killer. Although this question never gets fully answer. This film does raise some interesting issues regarding upbringing as an influence in creating psychopaths or serial killers and addiction’s role in creating psychopaths or serial killers.
Cast
Black Fly is an intense backwoods thriller inspired by Noel Winters. An unrepentant serial killer from rural New Brunswick who brutally slaughtered four individuals near his home. Director Jason Bourque was personally acquaint with Winters, as several victims died near where he lived. Thus this film unabashedly draws from Winter’s deeds as seen through Bourque’s perspective as his mentor. And close friend; Bourque also previously directed Sean Bean in Drone.
Matthew MacCaull plays Noel, Dakota Daulby as Jake and Christie Burke as Paula in this riveting thriller film that’s worth seeing. With its captivating performances from this cast and plenty of twists and turns. It will keep audiences guessing to the very last second!
Black Fly, despite boasting a solid cast, fails to deliver because of an excessive reliance on cliches and self-harming machismo. Although skill can be found within this film. Its emotional emptiness seems more often expose than any signs of growth it portrays.
Rookie paramedic Ollie Cross (Sheridan) finds himself working alongside veteran Gene Rutkovsky (Ruth). In this gripping drama adapted from Shannon Burke novel by Ryan King and Ben Mac Brown. Unfortunately, they share an antagonistic dynamic; Gene has an alcohol problem as well as violent past that haunts him while Ollie mourns over her suicide.
Their work takes them to a seedy trailer park and an abandoned family farm. Where the crumbling landscape represents their unraveling relationship and individual decline.
Sheridan and Penn provide excellent performances, yet their one-dimensional characters struggle to carry the film on their own. MacCaull and Daulby do an outstanding job as brothers; Burke excels as Noel’s girlfriend; Matty Finochio from Bedevil stands out as Noel’s friend Steve. Matty Finochio also stands out in an important supporting role as Noel’s friend Steve; the film itself is well written, directed and shot. However it needs more depth in order to fully exploit its story – characters are compelling but plot sometimes too simplistic; ending is not as satisfying. But soundtrack songs add immensely; creating an absorbing thriller experience overall! Black Fly is highly enjoyable thriller with great cast performances throughout.
Plot
Black Fly is an adaptation of Noel Winters’ real-life serial killing spree as recounted in his 2008 book of brutal killings, released as an engaging read in 2008. However, director Ryan Bourque took inspiration from Terrence Malick films (he’s even thanked in the credits and Wagner music cues are used similar to what can be found in The New World). His direction can be felt throughout.
Based on Shannon Burke’s acclaimed novel, Black Flies follows Rut (Sean Penn), an experienced EMT veteran in an East New York neighborhood, as he teams up with rookie Cross (Tye Sheridan). Soon thereafter, their lives become embroiled in drug addiction, domestic abuse and gang warfare – leading them on an unexpected path.
Their first case puts them in contact with both a violent young gangster and his distraught mother. Who are convince her sons have been involve in a murder-for-hire scheme. From here, things quickly escalate, placing the boys both within their ambulance as well as outside its confines in danger.
Black Fly is an arresting and discomfiting tale of guilt, murder and familial secrets that is execute with expert precision by Sheridan and Penn. They deliver memorable performances even in some less convincing scenes. Black Fly works best when its action plays like a documentary, depicting all its heart-stopping chaos on city streets.
Bourque’s direction of this movie is also impressive, though there may be times when it slips into exploitative territory. Flashing red lights on an ambulance and its accompanying screeching sirens and shouting victims can become nauseating. Similarly it may be difficult for viewers to empathise with characters as they venture deeper into dangerous. And impoverished communities that seem hopeless at first glance.
At its core, this movie – currently playing at the Vancouver International Film Festival – cannot escape feeling outdate and familiar. There is an inherent tension in many cop films between an experienced veteran. And an inexperience rookie being force into dangerous situations where their lives must be save as quickly as possible.
Overall
The film is an exhilarating ride. From its dramatic opening scene to the shocking conclusion. This is 88 full minutes of gripping tension and stunning acting performances by talented actors. And a clever plotline woven seamlessly together by Bourque. Locations help convey a sense of place while keeping viewers off balance in Noel. And Jake’s world of tension and unpredictability.
The sound track can sometimes be too intrusive, but it works to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The slow buildup of tension is excellently did. And will leave viewers wanting more at its conclusion – an essential viewing experience for fans of gritty thrillers!
Jean-Stephane Sauvaire has an exceptional eye for depicting New York City in all its filth. And his editing is unflinchingly effective. He captures the breathless chaos that makes EMT work such a stressful endeavour. While never fully exploring their heroism as life-and-death ordeals. Too enraptured with violent scenes for him to explore how these ordeals dehumanise those needing their aid.
Cross is an outcast in the big city and doesn’t realize what he has gotten himself into after losing one of Rutkvosky’s patients on his first night on the job. Though a good kid who just wants to make something of himself. He quickly gets catch up in Rutkvosky’s relentless quest to save as many lives as possible.
Black Fly offers an intriguing premise, yet its possibilities could have been further explore in depth. Although not for those easily startled, its violent content makes this movie unforgettable and will keep viewers on edge throughout. However, acting is top notch and pacing swift enough that fans of thrillers won’t want to miss this great thriller from 2023 – don’t miss it out! This gem deserves your time and consideration!
Read Black Fly Movie Review on Fmovies
