Produced by Javier Chapa, Jon Silk,
Arianne Fraser, Delphine Perrier
Written by Boise Esquerra, Carlos Cisco
Directed by Adrian Grünberg
Starring Josh Lucas, Fernanda Urrejola,
Julio Cedillo, Héctor Jiménez, Raúl Méndez,
Venus Ariel, Jorge A. Jimenez, Edgar Flores,
Omar Patin, Arturo Duverge, Luis del Valle
It’s Black Demon versus White Devil in Adrian Grunberg (Get the Gringo, Rambo: Last Blood) Megalodon film with a conscience that, while skillfully done and surprisingly well-acted, never significantly distinguishes itself from similar fare in the ever-expanding giant killer shark subgenre, nor, thankfully, sinks into the depths of Jersey Shore Shark Attack or similar.
When oilman Paul Sturges (Josh Lucas; The eternal purge, Ford against Ferrari) takes his family on a business trip to Baja, they soon discover that the once thriving, company-built community has become a shell without tourists due to environmental damage (and maybe something a little bigger ) caused by the nearby off-shore oil rig Paul was sent to inspect.
Now stranded together in the middle of the ocean on the decaying rig, the well-to-do family must join forces with the two surviving blue-collar workers to fight their way to the safety of shore while trying to outsmart an Avenger, a metaphor seemingly supernatural swimming and a literal clock.
While you could come for the big ass shark, it’s the people who cause the problem in this Human Nature vs. Horror thriller. Easy to digest nature. From unsavory locals trying to prey on outsiders to corporate cover-ups with unfortunate ends, people aren’t always what they seem in Carlos Cisco’s economic script and Boise Esquerra who wisely keeps the focus on its strong stable of actors and not its titular CGI just-average antagonist.
As Walking White Privilege, the presence of Josh Lucas may lend some power and credibility to the proceedings, but it’s Fernanda Urrejola (Cry Macho, Narcos: Mexico) as Paul’s wife and mother of two children, Ines, who has a firm foothold in corporate and Mexican cultures, and Julio Cesar Cedillo (Queen of the South, Narcos: Mexico) as Chato, an oil worker who selflessly decided to stay to keep the people away, who steal the show.
Even as Paul transitions from hero to heel and finally finds his way to redemption, it’s Ines and Chato who anchor our rooting interest as the strictly numbers-based shark exploits unfold in the oily black darkness that keeps them alive. surrounded.
Sure, Grunberg may hit us over the head with messages that would make Roland Emmerich blush, but his angle “man’s greed has unleashed a vengeful spirit creature of local legend who vents his frustrations on an evil society. that destroys the environment” works. Unfortunately, some intriguing early supernatural vibes are all but dropped halfway through; a missed opportunity that would have helped define the film and allowed it to stand on its own.
While The black demon certainly won’t win any awards for originality, it’s not necessary as long as it serves its sole purpose; distract. So if you’re looking for comfort food Man vs. Megalodon, you really can’t go wrong. The black demon.
Just be aware that you might leave the table still hungry.
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