NIGHT TEETH (TV)

(director: Adam Randall; screenwriter: Brent Dillon; cinematographer: Eben Bolten; editor: Dominic LaPerriere; music: Drum & Lace/ Ian Hultquist; cast: Jorge Lendeborg Jr.(Benny), Debby Ryan (Blaire), Lucy Fry (Zoe), Raul Castillo (Jay), Megan Fox (Grace), Alfie Allen (Victor), Alexander Ludwig (Rocko), Sydney Sweeney (Eva); Runtime: 107; MPAA Rating: NR; producers; Ben Pugh/ Charlie Morrison/Vincent Gatewood: Netflix; 2021-UK/USA)

“Nothing to sink your teeth into.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

London-born director Adam Randall(“I See You”/”Level Up”) directs this monstrous made-for-TV release of a vampire tale set in Los Angeles. It’s vacuously scripted by first-timer Brent Dillon from his graphic novel. Though stylish and containing some innovative film techniques, the acting sucks, the gory scenes are weak, there are no surprises (its type of story has been seen many times before) and there’s just nothing to sink your teeth into. Star Megan Fox has a minor role, and you’re wasting your time if seeing the film just for her sake–as she’s on film for too short a time, though when on gives a flashy performance.

The story focuses on five vampires and on the greed of one them, Victor (Alfie Allen), who wants to rise in power in the vampire world and make the City of Angels home for his undead clan. So he breaks a peace treaty with the human leader Jay (Raul Castillo) to keep other vampires out of their neighborhood without getting Jay’s permission to visit. 

Benny (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) is the younger half-brother of Jay, and is an economics undergraduate. He moonlights as a chauffeur for one night only for Jay. His job is to ferry two socialites who are really vampires, Blaire and Zoe (Debby Ryan and Lucy Fry), around Los Angeles for a night of party hopping. But this turns out to be an outrageous and not believable task, as the ladies have unwanted designs on him (a love between him and Blaire is attempted). The ladies’ thirst for blood proves to be too much for the human, as the lady vampires get Benny involved in a tribal vampire war killing spree of vampires all over the city. The ride goes from one exotic location to another, until the sun rises.

For only one scene Sydney Sweeney and Megan Fox pair up as similar vampires to Ryan and Fry, but are more powerful (and are better actors).

The film is more dead than undead, as it passes as another forgettable uninspired vampire flick that for the sake of your own sensibilities you would probably be better off avoiding.

REVIEWED ON 11/4/2021  GRADE: C