‘Blood Covered Chocolate’ Review
Stars: Michael Klug, Christine Nguyen, Joe Altieri, Meghan Deanna Smith, Debra Lamb, Helene Udy, Mike Ferguson | Written and Directed by Monte Light
Blood Covered Chocolate is the latest film from writer/director Monte Light, this black-and-white feature opens with a traditionally ordinary image of someone walking down a corridor. As he opens a storage locker, the discovery of a bag of money raises questions as to what’s happening. The man is recovering drug-addict Massimo (Michael Klug), who is celebrating his sobriety with his recovering alcoholic girlfriend, Tien (Christine Nguyen).
Matters become troubled when the recovering drug-addict is manipulated by his crime-boss stepfather, Crate (Joe Altieri), to break up with Tien. While feeling low from how he feels unable to control his life, Massimo finds his circumstances worsened when he’s turned by shapeshifting vampire, Sofia (Meghan Deanna Smith).
Central to this story are the recovering addicts, as the pair find comfort in each other while their addictions are tested by their work – Tien is employed in a bar, while Massimo works within a drug-dealing business. Worsening matters is how Crate keeps his stepson under his thumb through manipulation and intimidation, while Sofia believes her gruesome actions are what the lead needs.
Regardless of what addiction he succumbs to, Massimo finds himself falling victim to his cravings to cope with his crumbling life. It’s an intriguing idea to use vampirism as a metaphor for addiction, although there’s only so far a theory can go when the execution is so dull. It’s difficult to become invested in the drab way scenes unfold, and part of the issue is the unengaging main character. Brought alive with a performance that’s all wide-eyes and whimpering line readings, Massimo feels too passive to even buy into his personal desires.
There’s a stylistic idea to inject the black-and-white proceedings with the colour red, a way to indicate danger, although matters become blurred when video calls are suddenly shown in full colour. It’s an initially cool idea which is undone by a lack of conviction, and that’s reflected in where the story goes for the final act. Whatever interesting ideas lurked within this film are undone by a banal turn which undermines much of what came before. There’s promise in Massimo finally finding a way to control his life, although Blood Covered Chocolate reaches that point in uninspiring ways.
* 1/5
Blood Covered Chocolate is on digital and on demand now from Terror Films.
