Movie Review: 'Black Site' Is a Fun Sci-Fi Throwback

I have no idea how long the company Dread Central has been distributing movies, but in the couple of opportunities I have had to see Dread Central movies, thus far, I have been really impressed with their output. Book of Monsters is one of my favorite movies of 2019, thus far, and now the new movie Black Site is out and, though it is not quite as exciting as Book of Monsters, this is one terrific modern sci-fi adventure.

Black Site has the look and feel of a television show. The opening narration forces through exposition in a relatively low rent fashion. That said, it’s really fun exposition. The opening narration introduces us to the notion of Elder Gods, the humanoids who held Earth before humanity took hold and began expelling the Gods. Over time, humanity has developed defenses that are based in both technology and magic at a secret site called, The Black Site.

Elder Gods are now captured and taken to the Black Site through the use of magic. There are now very few Gods remaining and they are confined to human form as a way of hiding and feeding on humanity. This however, weakens the Gods, making them easier to deport (i.e captured and sent sailing into outer space, never to return). As we join the story, one of the most wanted and dangerous Elder Gods has been captured for deportation.

In the past, Erebus (Kris Johnson) had murdered a pair of experienced Black Site agents and left their daughter, Ren, traumatized. Now that Erebus has been captured and brought to The Black Site, he will come face to face with the young girl whose parents he took. Now grown up, Ren (Samantha Schnitzler) has become a specialist at The Black Site, but not the full privileged agent that her parents were.

We will find out along the way that Ren’s past is what keeps her from moving up in the ranks. It’s all related to her parents death and when Erebus implies that perhaps this night, his capture, and deportation has purposely crossed ways with Ren’s job at The Black Site. When The Black Site subsequently comes under attack from a group of ninjas in the employ of Erebus, the action kicks into gear and Black Site finds a solid, exciting footing.

Black Site is the second feature from director Tom Paton, who continues to show promise. Redwood was a bit of twisted fun with vampires that had the same compact runtime and quick pace that makes Black Site work so well. Paton’s aesthetic needs work, Black Site has the aesthetic of a TNT television drama, but it's hard to criticize a director working on such a remarkably limited budget.

On the bright side, the low budget aesthetic does play into old school, 80s-esque vibe of Black Site. There is a throwback quality to this plot and the tone of Black Site, something slightly comical, slightly serious, and that embraces silliness and violence. The fight scenes in Black Site are well choreographed and visceral. I really enjoyed the pair of fight scenes between Samantha Schnitzler and Phoebe Robinson-Galvin, as the head of the ninjas, Ker.

The story of Black Site unfolds quickly and with a strong, plot driven purpose. Director Paton takes a low rent budget and does what he can to craft a fun, sci-fi, throwback with good strong violence, and over the top silliness. The characters are intriguing, well rounded and keep you involved. The characters are helped by an approach that keeps things simple, and a really quick runtime that doesn’t allow the movie to linger.

Black Site is just plain fun. As a weekend streamer, for fans of throwback sci-fi goofiness, Black Site is worth a rental.