When I Consume You is an intense look at how grief can consume a person’s entire being. Director Perry Blackshear (They Look Like People and The Siren) uses supernatural mythos to help guide along a slow-burn plot that will devour your mind.
Wilson and Daphne Shaw, the film’s siblings, appear to have an extremely close bond since their difficult childhoods. The story begins with Daphne’s frightening encounter with someone or something that instantly draws us in. She looks bruised and beat up and ends up losing a tooth. Her brother seems worried about her, but she always says nothing is wrong and she’s okay. After a sudden tragedy happens in the present day, they both go on an emotionally charged journey to find the stalker responsible for what happened. Blackshear uses flashbacks to five years ago to help us, the audience, begin to piece together what exactly is going on and why it’s happening. Further along in the movie, flashbacks bring us to a book called, “The Heart Sutra,” which ties together the mythos.
Credit: 1091 PicturesBoth Libby Ewing and Evan Dumouchel deliver captivating performances as the siblings. Dumouchel’s ability to play a troubled introverted man that suddenly becomes powerful and ready to do anything and everything to help his sister is sublime. As the caring younger sister who is tormented by her demons, Ewing’s portrayal is outstanding. Another excellent performance is by MacLeod Andrews, who is able to play creepy, scary, and jerky with a small ounce of concern seamlessly. Each of Blackshear’s films has a go-to cast, which continues to impress.
“When I Consume You’ is an indie horror film that doesn’t use the basic kind of horror we normally see, it taps into your soul to use feelings we’ve all had. Films have often used the themes of trauma and grief, but Blackshear makes it even more compelling by combining them with supernatural mythos. The cinematography enhances the terror and becomes a character in itself, adding to the eerie feeling and adding a little anxiety for us as we watch. To make this kind of great film on an indie budget speaks volumes about Blackshear, his cast, and his crew.
The film is available to rent or own on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime. Blackshear’s other films They Look Like People and The Siren are also available on streaming services to rent or own.
