Watch The Transfiguration

The Transfiguration is a unique and thought-provoking film that explores the themes of adolescence, loss, grief, and identity through the lens of the vampire mythos. The movie showcases a powerful yet minimalist story about a teenage boy named Milo who lives in a low-income housing project in New York City. He is obsessed with vampires and spends his days watching vampire films and reading vampire books, trying to escape his reality through this fantasy world.

Milo's life is lonely and bleak, given his obsession and the poverty he and his older brother find themselves living in, and he struggles to find a meaningful connection with anyone in his life. However, when he meets Sophie, a troubled girl from his building, he starts to discover a reason to believe in something and a relationship that propels the story forward.

As Milo navigates his feelings for Sophie, he must also come to grips with the impact of his experiences with death and loss, which are ever-present in his life. The film tackles these themes with respect and is unafraid to allow Milo to explore his darker impulses that come with his vampire obsession. Still, the movie also doesn't shy away from the fact that those impulses come with consequences.

Eric Ruffin's portrayal of Milo is excellent, conveying the complex juxtaposition of innocence and darkness in Milo's character with aplomb. Ruffin captures the awkwardness of Milo's coming-of-age years while also exploring the gritty nature of life in the housing project. He is a tragic figure that you can't help but root for, and his character is undoubtedly the highlight of the film.

Karin Cherches also provides a fantastic performance as the uncertain Sophie, who is drawn into Milo's obsession with vampires. Still, her shyness and vulnerability reflect the complicated nature of teenage relationships, while her own struggles mirror the heart of the film. Luis Scott's performance as Milo's brother is also noteworthy, as he portrays an older sibling that cares for Milo but is also conflicted with his own issues.

The film's pacing is excellent, moving from scene to scene with ease, and the sparse dialogue enhances the character's non-verbal cues, adding to the realism of the story. The movie is also well-crafted in its use of lighting and shadows, and while the visuals are simple, they create a memorable experience.

The Transfiguration is not your typical vampire movie, but instead serves more as a coming of age story with a supernatural twist. However, it is precisely the absence of the typical vampire tropes that makes the movie so intriguing. The movie doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, it chooses to dive deep into Milo's psyche, laying out a story of a broken character searching for meaning in an unkind world.

The film has received critical acclaim for its unique approach, garnering a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was directed by Michael O'Shea and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016, where it received critical praise for its portrayal of adolescent life in a lower-income setting.

In conclusion, The Transfiguration is a captivating and unique movie that speaks to the pains of growing up, the struggles of finding one's identity, and the allure of the supernatural. The film is driven by powerhouse performances from its cast and a powerful message delivered through an unconventional approach. While it may not be for everyone, for those looking for something different, The Transfiguration is not to be missed.

The Transfiguration is a 2017 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 65.