Aaron’s Blood (2017)
Matt Boiselle
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Starring James Martinez, Trevor Stovall, Michael Chieffo
Directed by Tommy Stovall
The things that a parent would do for a child of theirs, especially when one is stricken with a life-threatening medical condition, is the kind of stuff that can move mountains. In director Tommy Stovall’s chilling new film, Aaron’s Blood, the act of saving a child’s life is on display…now I didn’t mention yet that the child in question has the propensity to do his own share of damage, did I? Step inside, and let’s tap a vein or two to see what drips out in crimson fashion, shall we?
James Martinez and Trevor Stovall hold down the co-starring duties here as a father-son tandem that are faced with a couple of inimical facets, each burdening their lives. Aaron is a single father to 12 year old Tate, a hemophiliac – his every move is a cautious one, and the fact that his mother (Aaron’s wife) who passed away in a car accident, has left Aaron to very closely monitor the actions of his son. After an unfortunate bullying situation in school leaves Tate fighting for his life in the ICU, a blood transfusion is necessary to hopefully right his immediate condition, yet the status of the blood used to “save” the young man’s life could be exactly that fluid that costs him his life…or is there something interminably more superior now about the teen? Tate’s condition begins to “evolve” if you will, and Aaron is not only now serving as a father and protector, but something of a detective for facts regarding why his son is exhibiting signs of vampire-like activity.
Aaron’s mind and fraying sanity aren’t the only issues on the table here, with an oddly-concerned priest (David Castellvi) at the hospital where Tate was recovering, and a couple of very intrusive fellows (Chieffo and Michael Peach) hot on the trail of Tate’s new-found vitality – troubles are all around. Aside from some decent special effects and creepy moments, Aaron’s Blood is so much more than your standard bloodsucker-fare: this is a strongly-constructed story of a father willing to go to the ends of the Earth for his son, and risk his own sanity (and well-being) on more than one occasion. Performances are more than solid, with Martinez gold-starring his role as the disquieted dad, and Stovall’s own son as the afflicted adolescent. Bullying also takes a spotlighted seat here, as the sad state of affairs in this world act as even more of a strengthening agent for this film. Overall, I can absolutely recommend this movie to those who are looking for something a bit more substantial than your bargain-basement vampire flick – this one’s got bite, but MANY more teeth to make the wound feel more intense.
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Film
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