The Transfiguration is a step above the usual low-budget horror film with powerful climax similar to Moonlight

Milo is a 14yr old boy growing up in New York and teetering on the brink of drugs, gangs and a bleak future - thankfully he is obsessed by vampires so instead chooses to kill people for their blood instead (using a tooth shaped knife instead of fangs).

His parentless life spent with his PTSD inflicted brother is given a brief glimpse of happiness when fellow outsider Sophie befriends him and attempts to help, before the inevitable terror sets in.

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This directorial debut from Michael O’Shea is a slow, brooding film that allows it’s leads more room than they sometimes need.

Both leads are great - less is most definitely more here.

But this is no Hammer gore horror action- so don’t go to the cinema expecting a Dracula flick.

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Leaning more towards George A. Romero’s take on vampires rather than the often cited Stephanie Myers (even cheekily using the Twighlight font in it’s credits), it becomes clear that regardless of it’s more fantastical elements, this is a film about growing up in a hopeless environment and clutching onto any threads of hope you can, whether it’s sharing a bed with a friend, or vomiting up the blood of a victim on the carpet.

Comparisons will Moonlight are obvious and founded but with it’s powerful climax, ‘The Transfiguration’ is a step above the usual low-budget horror out there. “No matter what you’ve done - someone else has done a lot worse”

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The Transfiguration: (15) 97 minutes

Rating: ★★★★☆

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