Fantasia 2024: In Our Blood

“In Our Blood” is a gripping and thought-provoking found footage horror film that expertly blends authenticity with slow-burn tension.

Pedro Kos makes a stunning narrative feature debut with In Our Blood, a new horror film that transcends genre conventions to deliver a deeply affecting and thought-provoking experience.

Drawing from his background as an award-winning documentarian, Kos crafts a deeply immersive experience that challenges viewers’ expectations and perceptions.

The film follows Emily (Brittany O’Grady; White Lotus, It Lives Inside, 2019’s Black Christmas), a filmmaker who returns to her hometown of Las Cruces, New Mexico, to reconnect with her estranged mother Sam (Alanna Ubach, Euphoria) and document their reunion. However, when Sam mysteriously disappears following a tense Thanksgiving dinner, Emily and her cinematographer friend Danny (E.J. Bonilla, The Exorcist: Believer ) find themselves embroiled in a haunting mystery.

As the mystery deepens, the film ratchets up the tension, with each answer leading to more questions.

The powerful reveal turns the narrative on its head, working on an entirely different level of allegory that’s impossible to discuss without spoiling the journey. Suffice it to say, it will leave viewers eager to immediately rewatch the film with their newfound perspective.

Kos’ background as a documentarian infuses In Our Blood with a sense of authenticity and emotional depth rarely seen in found footage films.

His keen observation and empathetic storytelling approach allow the film to tackle complex and emotionally resonant themes, including the ethics of documentary filmmaking, healing through art, and the dehumanization of marginalized communities. The screenplay by Mallory Westfall (from a story by Westfall, Aaron Kogan, Steven M. Klein, and Clay Tweel)  weaves these ideas into the narrative, challenging viewers to confront their own preconceptions and biases.

It’s a meticulously crafted story, investing viewers in its slowly unfolding mystery.

The cinematography by Camilo Monsalve Ossa is unexpectedly inviting for a found footage film, framing the narrative in a way that takes viewers on an emotional journey while never sacrificing the immediacy and intimacy of the format.

The beauty of the visuals contrasts sharply with the film’s darker themes, enhancing the overall impact and making the horror elements more jarring. The film’s visual style perfectly complements its exploration of how art — in this case, filmmaking — can serve as a tool for confronting and processing trauma.

The performances, particularly from Brittany O’Grady and Alanna Ubach, are nothing short of outstanding. O’Grady’s portrayal of Emily is both vulnerable and resilient, while Ubach delivers a gut-wrenching, raw performance that is unforgettable.

In Our Blood is a thought-provoking addition to the pantheon of allegorical horror films that work on multiple levels, using genre tropes to explore very real human stories.

The film’s exploration of addiction, recovery, and societal neglect adds layers of depth to the horror elements, elevating it beyond typical genre fare. By tackling issues such as immigration, poverty, and homelessness, the film creates a backdrop of suffering that resonates with current sociopolitical realities without resorting to heavy-handed messaging.

In Our Blood poignantly comments on how easily marginalized communities are forgotten and how little attention is paid when someone from these groups goes missing.

It explores the eerie sensation of seeing others’ suffering commodified and consumed, even when done under the guise of compassion. This tension between understanding and exploitation is clearly something Kos grapples with as a documentarian, and it infuses the film with a palpable sense of moral ambiguity.

While it is undeniably a horror film, it relies less on conventional scares and more on tension, mystery, and the unnerving nature of not knowing who to trust or what to expect.

Kos’ documentary background shines through in the film’s raw, authentic feel. By casting individuals from Las Cruces’ unhoused community, he imbues the narrative with a gritty realism that grounds the horror in a tangible, relatable world. This decision not only adds emotional depth but also serves as a powerful commentary on society’s treatment of its most vulnerable members.

The film’s ending may polarize viewers, but it’s a fitting conclusion to a story that demands and rewards patience.

In Our Blood is a must-see for fans of intelligent, socially conscious horror that pushes the boundaries of the genre.