Quite frankly, Devanny Pinn’s directorial debut, The Black Mass, is an above average true-crime affair. It is a film which, almost immediately, feels fresh and confident and, thanks to an incredible cast, builds its big reveal with a slow burn of methodical approaches toward telling the victim’s stories.
True crime thrillers, when stripped down, rarely feel this real. The film is disturbing, quite frightening, and delves into the strange and bizarre psyche of a renowned killer - who wants people to call him Ted, as well as the consequences of the violence befallen the victims. It is quite tastefully done, occurring over a 24-hour winter day. It even features some bizarro scenes in which we see what this “Ted” character sees when he is fantasizing about the women.
Based on real events in southern Florida, The Black Mass follows an infamous serial killer in 1978 as he carves out the final days which would eventually lead to his end. Yet, The Black Mass prefers to stay with the victims, bringing them and their lives into focus with stunning clarity. This is a film where the male gaze destroys with disturbing intensity, yet the female victims are allowed to shine, thanks to some solid ingenuity from cinematographer Noah Luke whose over-the-shoulder approach to the infamous killer works incredibly well.
Featuring a superlative ensemble, including Andrew Sykes, Lisa Wilcox, Sarah Nicklin, Susan Lanier, Lew Temple, Eva Hamilton, and Eileen Deitz, this is a film which focuses on the victims, giving them an identity outside of the killer and his contempt for the lives he’s taking. Pinn’s directorial debut also stars Jennifer Wenger, Kathleen Kinmont, and Jeremy London. 
Written by Eric Pereira and Brandon Slagle, The Black Mass is a film which surprises on many levels due to the artistry involved. Some of you know the story of this particular true crime story, but the surprise here is in the execution. It is bold and refreshing, tense and shocking all at the same, and it works to create a mood which is palpable, delicious, and full of all the right ingredients.
Direct from a lauded theatrical run, Devanny Pinn’s The Black Mass is now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital from Cleopatra Entertainment.
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 82 mins
Director: Devanny Pinn
Writer: Eric Pereira; Devanny Pinn; Brandon Slagle
Cast: Nicky Whelan; Jeremy London; Kathleen Kinmont
Genre: Biographer | Crime
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Cleopatra Entertainment
Official Site:
Release Date: February 23, 2024 (limited)
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: February 23, 2024
Synopsis: Inspired by real events, The Black Mass is set over a 24-hour period in Florida during the winter of 1978 when college girls were being stalked by serial killer Ted Bundy.
