The Black String

Director - Brian Hanson
Starring - Frankie Muniz (Stay Alive, My Dog Skip), Blake Webb (American Horror Story, NCIS), and Chelsea Edmundson (Howlers, Bloodsucka Jones)
Release Date - 2018
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Paranoia cuts deep"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's almost daily that I get a press release for a film that leaves me scratching my head.  Most of the time its because the film is so outlandish that I can't wrap my head around who would fund such a film but on occasion I get one that intrigues me.  Several weeks back I received the press release for the horror thriller The Black String starring former child actor Frankie Muniz. I was under the impression that he retired from acting but I wasn't upset he made a return.  Most of you may even note that this is not his first foraye into horror.  He was appeared in the film Stay Alive that received negative reviews but I remember liking it.  I reached out for a review copy of The Black String and was lucky enough to get one. 

       The film follows Jonathan (Muniz) who works at a convenient store and in a rut.  He lacks love and motivation so he turns to a phone dating service where he meets the gorgeous Dena (Edmundson) who takes him back to his place and they hook up.  The next morning he awakens to find himself alone with a gruesome rash growing on his side.  The doctor tells him he has nothing to worry about but he begins to suffer from nightmarish visions and paranoia sets in.  He suspects that someone is out to get him and his search for Dena takes him down a conspiracy filled web that leads him to his demise while those around him thinks he is suffering from a mental breakdown.  

     I didn't know what to expect from this one going into it especially when you consider that it featured Frankie Muniz who was one thought retired from acting only to hit us with a full feature film that was relatively unheard of.  However, the movie was surprisingly entertaining yet it is forgettable.  The acting in this one is solid.  Muniz does a great job in his role.  His character has a lot of depth and complexity which he was able to pull off.  He is great and his performance carries the film.  The supporting cast is solid as well but the characters are not as entertaining as Muniz's.  The story for this one is very interesting and works for what it is but it does feel very generic.  We get a lot of twists and turns that work but once you figure out the movie is going you know exactly how it will end.  I liked it but it is rather generic and predictable.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one but we do get some gruesome make up effects that fits with the whole STD angle of the film.  I highly recommend this film just for this alone.  Overall, The Black String may not be a game changer but it is entertaining which is all we can ask for from a movie.  Check it out because you will not be disappointed.