About the film (courtesy of Lionsgate):
When a former cop named Fallon returns to the scene of a horrific crime, the residents of a rural town discover the dark visitor is really a vampire who feeds on blood and fear. Befriended by a kind immigrant family, the instinctive killer soon faces a choice of revenge or redemption.
Sunrise is a horror-thriller movie that stars Guy Pearce as Reynolds, a racist and violent man who inflicts brutality on an immigrant family. The movie is directed by Andrew Baird and written by Ronan Blaney.
Sunrise is a movie that defies easy categorization. It dances between the shadows of horror and drama, its narrative bathed in the dusky hues of a world teetering on the brink. Andrew Baird crafts a hauntingly atmospheric piece, driven by Alex Pettyfer’s compelling performance as Fallon, a tormented creature grappling with a past steeped in tragedy.
The plot is intriguing and has a strong message about the dangers of racism and violence. The character of Reynolds is well-developed and portrayed brilliantly by Guy Pearce. The supporting cast, including Chike Chan, William Gao, and Crystal Yu, is also excellent.
The movie is set in a dark corner of the world where hate is allowed to grow, and not all of the monsters are supernatural. The best elements of Sunrise play with the idea that racism and violence are more terrifying than bloodsuckers. It tries to pull at various threads about outsiders being pushed out of a place that used to welcome them, but it’s blunt when it needs to be nuanced and opaque when it could stand to spell a few things out.
The action sequences in Sunrise are well-choreographed and keep you engaged throughout. However, the movie fails to build momentum and never comes together thematically or narratively. The whole thing looks way too great with over-done lighting and a notable lack of the kind of tactile depth this genre flick needs for it to work.
Sunrise is not just about action and thrills. It also has a heartwarming story about friendship and loyalty. The relationship between Reynolds and his son Edward (William Gao) is beautifully portrayed and adds depth to the movie.
Overall, Sunrise is a decent horror-thriller movie. It has a great storyline, excellent performances, and thrilling action sequences that will keep you entertained from start to finish. It also has a strong message about the dangers of racism and violence. However, it fails to build momentum and never comes together thematically or narratively. I recommend this movie to anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking experience.
You can catch Sunrise in select theaters or opt to watch it at home on Digital or On Demand starting Friday, January 19th.
