Review: Make Vampires Cool Again! "Blood Red Sky" (2021)

Background:

Blood Red Sky (also known as Transatlantic 473) is a British-German action-crime horror thriller vampire film from 2021. Directed by Peter Thorwarth, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Stefan Holtz, the film features a diverse cast including Peri Baumeister, Roland Møller, Chidi Ajufo, and Alexander Scheer. Released by Netflix on July 23, 2021, the movie blends multiple genres to create a unique take on the vampire narrative. (from Wikipedia)

Year: 2021

Director: Peter Thorwarth

Genre: Action Horror, Horror Thriller, Vampire Horror

Plot: Spoilers!

In Blood Red Sky, Nadja, a German widow suffering from a severe illness, boards a flight to New York with her son, Elias, aiming to seek medical treatment. During the flight, a group of hijackers, including the co-pilot, seize control of the plane, leading to a deadly confrontation.

Unbeknownst to others, Nadja is a vampire, transformed after a desperate search for her husband led to a tragic encounter. As the hijackers wreak havoc, mistakenly framing the incident as a terrorist attack, Nadja reveals her true nature. She uses her vampire abilities to combat the hijackers, particularly a sociopath named "Eightball" who becomes a vampire himself after injecting Nadja’s blood.

The struggle intensifies as Eightball turns other passengers into vampires. With the plane running low on fuel, Nadja attempts a sacrificial plan to destroy the vampires using explosives. However, her son Elias intervenes, leading to a dramatic confrontation where Nadja must protect Elias from Eightball. As the plane is maneuvered into sunlight, Eightball is destroyed.

Elias tries to save his mother with his blood, but she rejects it to keep him safe. The plane lands in Scotland, where the remaining vampires, including Nadja, are presumed eliminated by Elias using explosives. Farid, having bonded with Elias during the ordeal, comforts him as they face the aftermath together.

My Thoughts:

I've got a bit of a love-hate relationship with the vampire subgenre, especially with how it's often over-sexualized and romanticized. But Blood Red Sky strips all that away, focusing on the horror aspects of being a vampire—far removed from the likes of "True Blood" or "Twilight." This film brings us back to a raw, terrifying view of vampirism, reminiscent of the early days when Nosferatu and Lugosi's Dracula defined the genre in their unique ways.

The film centers around Nadja, a mother turned vampire, whose transformation is seen only through the eyes of her son, devoid of any romantic subplot that forgives or ignores her monstrous nature. It's a stark, blunt portrayal of vampirism as a curse rather than a desirable, glamorous lifestyle. It’s refreshing to see a vampire film that emphasizes the 'horror' in the same vein as notable films like "30 Days of Night" and "Let the Right One In."

The gore in Blood Red Sky is satisfyingly executed and fits well with the film's intense scenes. However, what really drives the movie is not just the special effects but the solid plot, filled with tension and twists that had me repeatedly uttering, "Oh fuck," with an excited grin.

However, not everything in Blood Red Sky is flawless. The portrayal of her son, particularly in the English dub, was grating—his dialogue felt like it belonged in a children's educational cartoon rather than a serious horror film. At times, I found myself wishing his character had been less central to the plot.

Additionally, there were some glaring plot holes that distracted from the overall experience. For instance, there's a conveniently working phone that suddenly becomes accessible after being overlooked by everyone earlier. Also, the threat of nerve gas seemed underutilized, as it didn’t prevent movement around the plane as one would expect. The terrorists’ plan also lacked logical consistency; they could have simply parachuted out without engaging with Nadja, which would have drastically altered the course of events. (Watch the movie and you will see what I mean. They had literally walk back into a burning building.)

Despite these criticisms, Blood Red Sky is a significant entry in the vampire genre, reminding us of the potential for originality and terror in a category that too often leans towards cliché and romance.

Summary:

Horror isn't always about weaving a logical tale. Rather, it's about suspending disbelief to immerse ourselves in frightening scenarios that, whether plausible or not, transport us into the heart of terror. It's about placing ourselves in these nightmarish situations, taking a thrill ride that tricks our brains into experiencing real fear and danger, triggering a rush of adrenaline and other intense responses that keep us coming back for more.

Blood Red Sky ticks all the boxes of what a horror movie should be. It's an engaging, fun ride, packed with unique elements that make it genuinely entertaining to watch. While it may not break new ground within the broader horror genre or its subgenres, it does offer a compelling blueprint on how vampires should be portrayed in future horror films. This film stands as a valuable lesson in crafting vampire narratives that truly terrify and captivate.