"The Transfiguration" - UK BD review

A troubled young teenager with an overriding obsession about vampires is the subject of Director Michael O’Shea’s feature film debut “The Transfiguration”, which is out now on UK DVD and Blu-Ray.

Set in Queens, New York. Young Milo (Eric Ruffin) is a 14 year old black kid, who lives with his older brother in a decidedly rough neighbourhood. With no friends and still traumatised by his mothers death, he spends his entire time watching vampire films and reading books about vampire lore.

But then he meets a similarly troubled teen, Sophie (Chloe Revine), who’s just moved into her uncle’s apartment upstairs and the two quickly begin to bond. But Milo isn’t all he appears to be and unbeknown to her, has been taking his obsession with vampires a little too far…

Not what you would call an action film, this is very much a slow-burner, which lets the characters and story develop slowly over the course of the film. Indeed for the most part, it’s essentially a drama about a troubled teen befriending an abused kid, with the whole vampire thing being little more than a sub-plot.

But there is this whole dark element hanging over the story, in which you never really know how far Milo is going to go with this vampire thing with Sophie, who’s only exposure to vampires has been the Twilight films (which this film takes great delight in taking a sideways swipe at).

Extras on the disc include…

Filmmakers’ audio commentary track, with Writer/Director Michael O’Shea and Producer Susan Leber

Making of feature (10mins) – Director Michael O’Shea, Producer Susan Leber discuss how the film took shape and actors talk Eric Ruffin and Chloe Revine discuss their characters, along with other members of the crew.

Deleted scenes. A couple of scenes cut from the film Two scenes, one set in a Deli and one in the East Village area are presented with directors introuduction.

Extended scenes. The scenes with Milo and Sophie talking at the bus stop and an extended end scene where Sophie is reading Milo’s letter are shown in full with directors introduction.

Trailer  Lastly the film’s theatrical trailer is included on the disc.

I was sent the Blu-Ray to review, but the DVD release apparently contains the exact same extras on.

If you enjoyed “Let the Right One In”, or George Romero’s “Martin”, of which this film shares similar themes, then you will probably enjoy this. Look out for Troma films president Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger) who has a minor role as a homeless man.

"The Transfiguration" is out now on UK BD and DVD from Thunderbird releasing.
  
Buy the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk 

Buy the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk