Watch Midnight Son

Midnight Son is a horror-romance film released in 2011, directed by Scott Leberecht. The movie follows the life of Jacob (played by Zak Kilberg), a night-shift security guard who is plagued with a strange illness that leaves him dependent on blood to survive. As his illness progresses, Jacob realizes that he is a unique creature that is neither vampire nor werewolf. The film's storyline follows the journey of Jacob as he navigates his new-found identity and the complicated relationship that blooms between him and a troubled artist named Mary (played by Maya Parish).

The movie begins by introducing Jacob's mundane life. He goes about his routine job, taking breaks to sketch drawings that he never finishes. Jacob's condition is made clear in the first few scenes where he appears pale and sickly. We see him struggle to keep himself awake during the day and eventually bound to his apartment at night due to his sensitivity to sunlight. Throughout the movie, Jacob's sense of isolation and desperation is emphasized as he searches for a cure to his illness.

As Jacob's condition worsens, he is forced to turn to a life of crime to satisfy his cravings for blood. The movie's portrayal of this is not like typical vampire movies. There is no seduction or fanfare with Jacob's feeding. It is a painful and desperate act that he cannot control. As the nights go by, Jacob's life intertwines with Mary, an artist addicted to drugs who gets her supplies from Jacob's neighbor. Mary is immediately drawn to Jacob, and the two form an intense bond. Mary becomes the only one aware of Jacob's strange affliction and helps him as he teeters on the brink of death.

Midnight Son differs from other horror movies in that it focuses more on the romance genre than the horror aspect. The film deals with themes of isolation, addiction, and love. The romantic subplot between Jacob and Mary is beautifully executed, and there are moments of genuine chemistry between the two actors. Their romance feels real and well-rounded. There is an air of ambiguity around Mary's character, which leaves the audience guessing about her motives and secrets.

The cinematography of Midnight Son is hauntingly beautiful. The night-time scenes are shot in a way that emphasizes the isolation Jacob feels. The city around him is empty and deserted, and the neon lights cast an ethereal glow over everything. The score is atmospheric and only enhances the feeling of Jacob's isolation.

The performances of the actors are top-notch. Zak Kilberg delivers an understated and authentic performance as Jacob, blending desperation, fear and a sense of isolation, effortlessly portraying the various layers of his character. Maya Parish, in turn, surprised the audience with her range, transitioning from a drug-addled wasteland to a loving girlfriend.

Midnight Son's plot does move at a slow pace, but the character development more than compensates for it. The film is grounded in reality, and aspects surrounding Jacob's condition are explained without being overly gratuitous. Instead, the movie emphasizes the emotional turmoil Jacob experiences through his illness. This approach makes the film distinct from other horror movies and makes it a more engaging watch.

Overall, Midnight Son is a haunting, beautifully crafted and well-executed take on vampirism that explores the fine lines between love, addiction and horror. The film's exploration of the gray areas of human emotions creates a compelling drama that is unlike any other horror movie. Fans of both horror, romance and anyone in between would enjoy this very atmospheric film.

Midnight Son is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.