SYNOPSIS: “When an ex-cop named Fallon returns to the scene of a horrific crime, the residents of a rural town soon discover that this dark visitor is really a vampire who feeds on blood and fear. After he is befriended by a kind immigrant family, the instinctive killer is faced with a choice between revenge and redemption.” -Press Release

REVIEW: SUNRISE is an interesting concept. It is a hybrid tale that mixes an old fashioned western with a supernatural legend and a setting of the forest in the pacific northwest. It’s an idea with a lot of potential that unravels in the third act.

The film begins with the setup of a demon in the forest, it is given sacrifices, if it wants it can give the gift of immortality, time passes and the sacrifices got larger, and it came to be known as “the red coat.” There are numerous myths and legends about “red coats,” and I was hopeful that SUNRISE would weave a tale that was something new. However, they suggest that the demon in the woods is vampire-like without using the word “vampire.” The film updates the western genre concept by making the family of Asian heritage and the town kingpin, Reynolds, is partially driven by racism to get the family to sign over the farm. There are aspects to Reynolds that make him seem more like a fascist than your typical western capitalist. Reynolds also has the added dimension of a fanatical preacher during a scene where he gives a sermon and reads scripture. The character of Fallon is reminiscent of “Shane,” but his history also includes his family suffering at the hands of the Reynolds’ family. It’s a bit confusing as to why Fallon receives the red coat’s gift if Ma Reynolds made the sacrifice.

There is a problem with the third act. I’m not sure if it is the narrative or the editing. The film makes some confusing leaps where we are not sure what’s transpired to find the characters in their situations. I actually went back and rewatched scenes to see if I missed something but to no avail. Likewise, a few of the characters are never fully flushed out so that we understand their actions and relationships.

Likewise, there are elements of the story’s logic that are never explained. Baird offers several montages I think he is using to try to symbolize aspects of the tale but I don't believe they work. For example, he frequently shows this image of a buck in the woods. It can mean several different things, but what does it mean in the context of the tale?

The production is visually fantastic. They do a nice job of substituting locations in Ireland for the pacific northwest. The cinematography creates this nightmare fairy tale world as Andrew Simon McAllister serves as a hypnotic lullaby that is hypnotic. The costume designs are contemporary, but have subtle touches that infer the western motif. It all comes together to create this rich, layered atmosphere to the film.

It’s a great cast, but the performances feel constricted by the archetypes they are in relation to the narrative. Alex Pettyfer is the brooding loner of few words who is driven to violent extremes he’s been trying to avoid. Guy Pearce is the fanatical villain who employs, what he believes, is justified violent means to an end. Crystal Yu is the widowed wife trying to protect her family and homestead (yes, they are farmers). I loved Olwen Fouéré as the evil Ma Reynolds who believes and plays into the legend of the red coat.

SUNRISE is based on the classic western genre where the gunslinger seeking redemption is a blood-thirsty creature who is forced out of the forest when he encounters the violence being directed at an immigrant farm family suffering the loss of their patriarch. We are to assume that the red coat is a vampire, but given some of the traits Fallon exhibits it is something different. There are problems with the third act that impedes the enjoyment of the film.

This is Andrew Baird’s second feature film, his first the sci-fi thriller “Zone 414.” Based on the style and look of both films you can feel the influences of brothers Ridley and Tony Scott. Visually and technically, Baird is a talented filmmaker. He definitely needs to up his game as a storyteller based on the problems I had with his two feature films.

CAST: Guy Pearce, Alex Pettyfer, Crystal Yu, William Gao, Riley Chung, Olwen Fouéré, and Tamara Chanel White. CREW: Director - Andrew Baird; Screenplay - Ronan Blaney; Producers - Martin Brenann, Jib Polhemus, Ford Corbett & Nathan Klingher; Cinematographer - Ivan Abel; Score - Andrew Simon McAllister; Editors - Helen Sheridan & John Walters; Production Designer - Ashleigh Jeffers; Costume Designer - Ciana O'Kane; Special Effects Supervisor - Frankie Waite; Special EFX - Ignite SFX; Visual Effects - Nathan Mateer OFFICIAL: https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/sunrise FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/S6btUl5QpFc?si=q2ubhsczIiHty798 RELEASE DATE: In theaters, digital and on demand Jan. 19th, 2024

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