Nightworld

Bulgaria, the country that some people think about Kebapche, that is supposed to be eaten with a cold beer, or a couple of beers ( just to make sure you feel good ). This is also the country where you can visit Devil´s Throat in Rhodopes, where Greek poet and prophet Orpheus is said to have descended to the underworld in search of Euridyze. I have always had plans to visit Bulgaria, since i love travelling, and i will visit at some point. I happen to know that Bulgarian beer is actually really good, have tried some different ones here in Sweden in Beer and Whiskey Conventions. Another thing we do know what Bulgaria is known for, is how many films that have been made here with big Hollywood names. How about Conan The Barbarian ( the 2011 remake ), London Has Fallen, The Expendables 2 and 3, or how about director Francis Ford Coppola´s version of Bram Stoker´s Dracula ? Bulgaria is clearly a very important country for big movie productions ( including smaller budget films as well ). As long as film studios are open to work in other countries, i think it is a good idea to make films in other countries, that could help the economy for a country with economical problems. And that is the fact, Bulgaria is not a very strong economical country, so i hope more movie studios will continue working here, making opportunities for Bulgarian companies. One movie that comes to my mind, made in Bulgaria, is the Jean-Claude Van Damme film known as Replicant from 2001. This is in my opinion, one of the better films that Van Damme have made, from an acting perspective. He actually did a very different film here, where he both play a serial killer and his cloned The Replicant. If you have not seen this film, i suggest you get the dvd. Very early in August, i started reading about a Bulgarian film coming to limited theatres and on VOD. A film called Nightworld, with legendary actor Robert Englund and actor Jason London. Since i have always been a huge fan of Robert Englund films, i was curious to see what this could be. The trailer looked interesting, so of course i had to take a look at Nightworld on VOD. Is this a surprisingly good B horror thriller movie, or is this a film you will forget for all eternity ?

Former LAPD officer Brett Anderson ( Jason London ) travels to Bulgaria, to the city of Sofia. He still have nightmares about his wife who killed herself, and he can´t handle the situation no more. This is why he tries to make a fresh start, looking for a new job. He goes to a job interview in Sofia, as a Security Guard at an old apartment building. He gets the job, and is guided by the company´s job interviewer Martin ( Gianni Capaldi ). Everything seems find, and very calm at first. Until Brett sees some strange things going on, on cameras behind a secret door. At first, it seems that the company does not really listen, but when more strange things occur Brett want some answers. As the truth is coming closer, Brett is about to understand what this appartment building have kept secret all these years.

From all the B movies i have seen this year, Nightworld clearly stands out for trying to do something different. And this is a very good idea, to try and make a film feel different in the B horror movie genre. You can recognize certain ideas in this film from other movies, but the good thing about Nightworld is that it steel feels different enough to make you feel interested. Some of the characters even feel interesting, and that is something you don´t feel very often in a low budget film. Remember the 2008 film Mirrors with Kiefer Sutherland ? Nightworld does have some similar ideas from that film, but still make it more original than Mirrors. Both of these film had security guards, checking for trespassers. One of the details i really enjoy about this film, is the mystery surrounding this old building, that the main character Brett works in. The mysterious big door, with the old carved in demonic figures, makes you curious to know more about the origins of the building. Actor Jason London ( from the 90´s iconic film Dazed And Confused ) is the lead actor in this film. He does deliver a pretty solid performance, as he tries to understand what is really going on in this old building. Legendary actor Robert Englund does what he always does, deliver a performance that only he can do. His character in this film called Jacob, may not have a lot of screen time. But the scenes he is in, does make a big impact on the film in general. His special way to deliver dialogue, is always something you feel good about. I also enjoy the performance of actor Gianni Capaldi, as one of the contact people for the company that Brett works for. His character Martin is sort of a British business guy, who does seem to take his job seriously. The story of the film may be simple, but it actually works. And once you get into what is really going on inside this strange building, you understand why everyone is being so quiet. Perhaps some details could have been improved about the ending, but i have to say, Nightworld is better than i expected. Chilean director Patricio Valladares have directed several films in different genres, where one of the film some of you may have heard of is Hidden In The Woods ( he also directed the American remake as well ). It is very clear that director Patricio Valladres have tried to give us a film that in some ways feels original. And for that i have to applaud his vision. If you are going to see one horror thriller film this Christmas, you should give Nightworld a chance on VOD. 

Rating: DDD