Faceless After Dark

Director: Raymond Wood

Cast: Jenna Kanell, Danny Kang, Danielle Lyn

Release Date: May 17, 2024 (Theatrical/Digital)

A Review By: Kevin Lovell

Film Rating: 6.5/10

Synopsis:

Following her breakout success as the star of a killer clown horror flick, Bowie now finds herself struggling to capitalize on its success. But when she is suddenly held hostage by an unhinged fan posing as that same killer clown, horror becomes her reality as she fights to survive the night and escape before he completes his sinister plan to recreate the film’s fatal plot. Jenna Kanell from the TERRIFIER franchise gives a tour-de-force performance in this wild, gory ride.

‘Faceless After Dark’ tells the story of struggling film actress Bowie who became a breakout star thanks to her role as the final girl in a clown slasher movie, but soon after finds herself unable to book any roles of note, instead spending her time appearing at horror conventions and signing autographs, forced to dwell in her brief period of success when all she wants is to move on. But when a crazed fan breaks into her home donning the clown mask from the film, she must force herself to embrace the final girl mentality in real life if she hopes to survive the attack and make it through the night.

Directed by Raymond Wood (1st Summoning) from a screenplay written by Jenna Kanell and Todd Jacobs (Dead by Midnight (Y2Kill)), Wood does an altogether solid job at the helm of ‘Faceless After Dark’ guiding along the twisty and violent ride with a fitting sense of style, unease and uncertainty. The film’s cast includes Jenna Kanell (Terrifier), Danny Kang (TV’s NCIS: Hawai’i), Danielle Lyn (Nappily Ever After), Max Calder (Jungle Cruise), Michael Aaron Milligan (Samaritan), Kathrine Barnes (TV’s Average Joe), Jason MacDonald (The Man from Toronto), and Israel Vaughn (Ghosted) with capable and fitting performances by many in their respective roles, although Kanell definitely stands out throughout and provides a memorable performance in the lead.

‘Faceless After Dark’ is a twisty ride into darkness that focuses on a woman’s struggling career and one horrific situation on a lonely night that could redefine her entire life. The film follows a fairly normal course of events from the onset that just when you’re starting to get a sense of what’s to come takes viewers for a sharp right turn and quickly evolves into a different type of ride going forward. While I won’t directly spoil any of the important or surprising elements or curves within, it definitely throws viewers when things go in a direction we’re not expecting, but not always for the best. While the way it unexpectedly plays out at times is actually fairly clever and to be praised for its intriguing choices, much of what follows becomes a bit hard to justify and may have many viewers torn on whether certain situations and actions are truly justified.

While some of the situations and choices within may have us scratching our head on occasion it’s difficult not to praise the film for its bold choices and its eerily meta moves as things go from dark and uncertain to somewhat sadistic and brutal, while utilizing some wild, aggressive and hyper paced flashes and edits (fair warning that many of these moments contain an aggressive strobe light effect which may be problematic to some viewers) to delve into the mindset of characters which gives much of it an almost psychedelic-like style as we accompany the ever-moving journey into darkness and are forced to just enjoy the ride and see where it might eventually end up. It may not be a phenomenal film but it does a capable job of accomplishing what it sets out to do, while frequently shying away from the brutality and gore and leaving much of it to our imagination which can be frustrating at times, yet also more unsettling at others.

Overall, ‘Faceless After Dark’ serves up a wild, often sadistic and unexpected journey into darkness that will likely split the opinion of many viewers after its unexpected curve but has no shortage of positive elements and clever ideas to play with. It’s hard to not appreciate the real-life connections present within as many of the elements and plot points (and the clown slasher theme in particular) are clearly taken from the reality of its star and co-writer Jenna Kanell revolving around her ‘Terrifier’ role and subsequent career thereafter. Kanell does a quite solid job in the lead and without a constant assault of gore-heavy and blood drenched kills at every turn it allows her to really shine in the performance which is one of the film’s most rewarding elements. If you tend to enjoy a horror film that takes you in directions you aren’t expecting and tries to do something fairly unique and clever with the concept (to both positive and somewhat less positive results at times) then ‘Faceless After Dark’ should be worth giving a shot and is recommended.

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Film Rating: 6.5/10

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‘Faceless After Dark’ Arrives in Select Theaters & on Digital May 17, 2024 From MPI Media Group & Dark Sky Films

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