Actors: Najarra Townsend, Caroline Williams, Katie Stegeman, Simon Barrett
Directors: Eric England
Rated: Unrated
Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO
DVD Release Date: March 18, 2014
Run Time: 84 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars
When you see the box art to “Contracted” you cannot help but get curious about this film, especially being a horror fan. The film starts off slow and gets more and more intense each minute, sort of like the virus that Samantha gets in the film. I wouldn’t call this a zombie film upfront actually but it does have a nice transition into one. Najarra Townsend is quite amazing in the film and really has such an impressive transition from the beginning to the end. Horror fans will also enjoy seeing horror icons (new and old) with Caroline Williams (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”) and Simon Barrett, (co-director of “V/H/S”). After watching this film. I was a little freaked out and very shocked, which to me means that this was very successful.
Official Premise: After a lapse in her relationship with her lover (Katie Stegeman) forces twenty-something party girl Samantha (Najarra Townsend) to move back in with her overbearing mother (Caroline Williams, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), things seem to be at an all-time low. But the devil-may-care Samantha soon finds escape in a one-night stand with a mysterious man (Simon Barrett, V/H/S) who leaves her hung-over, guilt-ridden and infected. Uncertain of the disease or the man who gave it to her, Samantha attempts to hide it from her loved ones. But she soon realizes that she is not just the victim of an STD, but rather the host of something much more catastrophic, and that she and those around her are in mortal danger.
IFC Midnight is the studio behind this release and I love that they keep releasing really interesting and unique indies like “Contracted”. Last year, they delivered some awesome films and I can’t wait to see what they have planned for the rest of the year. One thing, I am a bit bummed about is that this is a DVD release only. I would have loved to seen this get a Blu-ray release. In terms of special features, there is some decent content. There is a great commentary track with director Eric England, editor Josh Ethier, cinematographer Mike Testin and composer Kevin Riepl, as well as another commentary with director Eric England and cast included. There is a behind-the-scenes look into “The Making of Contracted”. There is Najarra Townsend audition footage, as well as an Animated pitch for the film and a trailer included.
