WFG RATING: A

Cleopatra Entertainment presents a Jaguar Motion Pictures production in association with Roman Media. Story and directed by Devanny Pinn. Produced by Devanny Pinn and Michelle Romano. Written by Brandon Slagle and Eric Pereira. Cinematography by Noah Luke. Editing by Wayne Kent.

Stars Andrew Sykes, Eva Hamilton, Michelle Romano, Devanny Pinn, Sarah Nicklin, Jennifer Wenger, Jennifer Lynn Warren, Jeremy London, Kathleen Kinmont, Lisa Wilcox, Susan Lanier, and Lew Temple.

Devanny Pinn makes her directorial debut on this great slow-burn thriller based on events surrounding one of the most notorious serial killers in the U.S.

On January 14, 1978, a mysterious drifter comes to Tallahassee, Florida. He starts eyeing on some girls who are returning to their sorority before the start of the Spring semester. There are a few girls the mysterious one begins to look at. When he approaches a few of them, he tries to come off as charming and suave. However, some of the girls begin to feel uncomfortable around him.

That night, the drifter heads to a local bar where he comes across another woman and when she refuses his advances, is warned by the bartender to leave her alone. That night, the drifter takes drastic measures, and it will be a night no one will ever forget.

One can only guess who this mysterious drifter is in question considering the place and time frame. It’s none other than Theodore Robert “Ted” Bunday. However, while we’ve seen many films or specials around this mysterious person, Devanny Pinn (making her directorial debut) does something totally different with her directorial debut. Using one single night as the setting of the film and turning this into a slow-burn thriller that gives you a punch in the gut as the film goes on.

Andrew Sykes is excellent as the drifted, credited simply as “Me”. In a move that is becoming a trend in horror films as of late, we get the killer’s point of view, barely see his actual face. You’ll see his eyes and side views at times. The ladies of the film are quite an eccentric group, especially Eva Hamilton’s homesick Lori and Michelle Romano’s Meredith. Even the director herself gets in on the mix, playing the character of Kelly.

Adding to the mix are seasoned veterans such as Kathleen Kinmont as Brenda, the tough bar owner who warns our drifter not to mess with her regulars; Eileen Dietz as an elderly neighbor of one of the girls who notices the drifter in the beginning of the film; Susan Lanier as Lori’s mother; Jeremy London as convenience store owner Patrick, seen in the opening as well; and Lisa Wilcox and Lew Temple round out the veterans.

While Pinn opts to go for a slow burn, it starts out with the viewer knowing from the beginning what is in store. However, as the tension slowly begins to rise, the third act is the punch to the gut when we see Bundy unleash his pent-up frustrations on the sorority and targeting anyone he can. This is where things get bloody and very brutal with one bitten and attacked, two dead and another assault.

The Black Mass is an excellent directorial debut for Devanny Pinn. She will definitely be a filmmaking force to be reckoned with if this film has any indication. Great execution of the story and great performances make this a must watch for those who are into true crime.