Dark Blood (2012)

Dealing with nuclear testing and its deadly effects, the story portrays Boy, a young widower living in the desert on a nuclear testing site. Living as a hermit, he waits for the end of the world.

Director:

George Sluizer

Writer:

Jim Barton

Stars:

River Phoenix, Judy Davis, Jonathan Pryce

Cast

Credited cast:
River Phoenix	...	Boy
Judy Davis	...	Buffy Fletcher
Jonathan Pryce	...	Harry Fletcher
Karen Black	...	Motel Woman
T. Dan Hopkins	...	Joe Tapesi
Lorne Miller	...	Mechanic / Motel Woman's Son
Julius Drum	...	Indian #1 (as Julius 'Josh' Drum)
John Trudell	...	Indian #2 (as John Trudell Jr.)
Rodney A. Grant	...	Indian #3
George Aguilar	...	Indian #4
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stephen Silberkraus	...	The Fletcher's Son

Storyline

Dealing with nuclear testing and its long-lasting deadly effects, the story portrays Boy, a young widower living in the desert on a nuclear testing site. Living as a hermit, he waits for the end of the world, carving Kachina dolls that he believes have magical powers. While travelling on a "second" honeymoon across the Arizona desert, the car of a Hollywood jet-set couple breaks down. They are rescued by Boy, who holds them prisoner, because he desires the woman, and wants to create a better world with her.

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Plot Keywords:

two word title | star died before release | unfinished movie | desert | nuclear testing | 

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Genres:

Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

River Phoenix wasn't director George Sluizer's first and only choice for Boy's role. He asked Johnny Depp first but he wasn't interested in reading the script.

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Quotes

Boy: Show me a sane man and I'll show you a real moron.

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Movie Review: George Sluizer on River Phoenix and Dark Blood (2012)

User Reviews

All about Phoenix...

This is the last film with River Phoenix. Meaning: as Phoenix died in 1993 and Dark Blood was only 80% shot, it took almost 19 years to get the material edited into the final cut. All scenes that haven't been shot are read as a voice-over by director George Sluizer over paused images. While that creates a distinct kind of movie experience, it doesn't seem to be something I'm very fond of. Of course, Dark Blood is a film that's all about Phoenix. Just like James Dean in 1955, Phoenix generated a cult following because of his untimely death. Mostly remembered for his roles in Stand by Me, Running on Empty, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and My Own Private Idaho, Phoenix never really had the chance to become the actor he could've been. That doesn't mean everything he did was pure genius though... In Dark Blood I'm just not feeling the Phoenix-vibe. Above all, it's quite a dull movie. Only recommended for those who want to see Phoenix shine one last time.

Details

Country:

USA UK Netherlands

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 2014 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Dark Blood

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fine Line Features, Scala Productions, Sluizer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1