My Review Of "Blindsided"

"Blindsided" is an indie horror thriller from Director Johnny Mitchell. The film blends millennials melancholy with home invasion thrills. It stars True Detective's Bea Santos, Eric Knudsen (Scream 4), Atticus Mitchell (“Killjoys”), Melinda Shankar (“Slasher”), and Paul Popowich (“Hemlock Grove”).

Sloan Carter is a young girl who has recently been blinded. Her father leaves for the weekend and her two best friends, returning home from University, keep her company. A protege of her father's, passing through town, also spends the night. The peaceful weekend is interrupted by a shadowy threat and the safe country getaway turns into a fight for survival.

The story is suspenseful with a clean straightforward story arc that really showcases the movie's nature. It mixes several genre-driven tropes, often playing like a young mystery drama with characters that are related and recognizable. There is a clear atmosphere of horror reminiscent of early 2000's slasher films. Throw in a modern home invasion thriller and it all translates to authentic indie horror fun. 

Most movies that try to mashup different styles and concepts fail to take off. The story is either clumsy and muddled or the cast clearly has no clue how to play their part. None of that seems to be an issue with "Blindsided". The story is smooth. And although there isn't anything we haven't seen before in these type of movies, Mitchell is masterful in his ability to contain the tropes, characters and action completely, allowing a comfortable watch. 

Like a lot of indie horror suspense plays a big role in creating an element of horror. "Blindsided" makes good use of suspense, shadowing, and cinematography to set a nice thriller edge to the movie. The story progresses into a intense, chilling fight for survival. And there is some well done practical effects done that plays on slasher cinema concepts. For me there could have been more but for this movie's intent everything is as it should be. 

Overall "Blindsided" is a cool, entertaining indie horror. The production and execution of the story and it's ability to create a fresh look to "all too familiar" tropes is proof of Johnny Mitchell's talent. On a scale of 1 to 10 the display of horror elements falls around 6 , visible but a bit conservative. Still from start to finish this is one to check out! (4/5)