Atrabilious

'Atrabilious' is a dark comedic psychological thriller that is the sophomore feature of writer/director William Atticus Parker, who at 19 years old has shown more talent than filmmakers with more films under their belt. It follows Steven Joyner as he tries to solve the mystery behind his son's sudden, tragic and potentially fabricated death. Parker does an incredible job building suspense/intrigued as to where the story would be going thanks to some fascinating twist and turns. For its budget, this was a visually arresting film with Parker using neon so well, that some shots felt straight out of a Nicolas Winding Refn film. Besides serving as writer/director, he also acts in it, serves as the editor and cinematographer, and I have nothing but respect for a filmmaker who wears that many hats on one film. His editing was strong as the film runs 103 minutes but passes by smoothly as I was fully engaged during the entire run time. I haven't seen his first film 'Forty Winks', but based on his work here, I will most definitely try getting around to it sooner rather than later. He is the son of Billy Crudup & Mary Louis Parker, and it's safe to say he inherited their incredible talent & love for the craft. I can't wait to see what the future holds for him.

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Leon Addison Brown, who I mostly remember from 'The Knick' is excellent in the lead role. He's very subdued but he holds the film together with a commanding yet rather heartbreaking performance. The film has a stacked supporting cast of legends and well respected character actors and everybody does what's needed. Jeffrey Wright had two scenes and leaves his mark on the film as his scenes are important and he makes the most out of limited screentime. Mark Boone Junior is devilishly good in a role that is tailor made for him and his strengths. However, my favorite of the supporting performances was Evan Jonigkeit, who similar to his work in 'The Empty Man' and 'Archive 81' just knows how to get under your skin with his chilling performances. The minor issues I may have with the films aren't knocks as he's a young filmmaker finding his voice and doing a great job at it, so there will clearly be some growing pains.

Atrabilious is a word to describe being melancholy or irritable, Leon Addison Brown stars as a heartbroken father (Steven) who longs to find the truth behind his sons sudden passing. We follow as Steven finds himself spiralling out of control, hoping to uncover the secrets of an unconventional healing method, cocktail bereavement co-ordination, taught by a so-called psychiatrist.

The first 25 minutes slowly build up to the shift in narrative, once Steven steps foot inside the Atrabilious bar the trajectory of the film changes and the characters go on a non-sensical journey of discovery, confusion and acceptance, never fully knowing the truth. With plenty of intriguing plot points and strong character choices, Atrabilious (2023) transforms into a suspenseful thriller with stylised cinematic choices and some great uses of colourful visuals.

Parker shot Atrabilious with an impressive list of A-list actors in New York City on a micro-budget similar to his first feature, Forty Winks (2022). Considering the low budget, Atrabilious (2023) has a unique storyline with some brilliant performances throughout. It can often feel like a dream, an ambitious narrative that introduces us to a collection of unconventional characters. After an hour we finally see a glimpse into the reality of the Atrabilious bar, the film takes a leap into murder and distraction, finally giving us the thrill and suspense promised with poor Steven at the centre of it all.

Overall, Atrabilious (2023) has a unique narrative which evolves from a subdued drama into a non-sensical thriller. I recommend this feature for any fans of a slow thriller, a gradual expression of grief and loss through some compelling storytelling. If you are a film fanatic or a filmmaker it would be very beneficial to check this film out, see how much you can achieve with a smaller budget.

A special thank you to the writer, producer and director of Atrabilious (2023) William Atticus Parker (Forty Winks) for sharing his new feature with me before its official release to the public. I look forward to see what he does next.

Will Parker's latest addition to his, what appears to be a high potential career, meets expectations as he uses new visual and literature techniques. His ability to use color in this movie was the key stand out as it presented moods that both character and audience will feel. In addition, the cinematography had also created this uncertainty, something which couldn't be done by the B+W in Forty Winks. The movie also had a fantastic antagonist as evident from the fact that a Guillepse in our life wouldn't be useful. I hope the movie receives the recognition and praise that it deserves. I for one am looking forward to the next line of work.

"Atrabillious," directed by William Atticus-Parker, showcases a stellar cast including Leon Addison Brown, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jeffrey Wright. As the director's sophomore effort, this film manages to hold its own against its predecessor, offering audiences a thrilling and suspenseful experience. With a compelling narrative and strong performances, "Atrabillious" is a commendable addition to the thriller genre.

One of the film's strengths lies in its ability to maintain a consistent level of tension throughout. Atticus-Parker successfully builds suspense, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as the plot unfolds. The performances from the cast are top-notch, with Leon Addison Brown, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jeffrey Wright delivering compelling portrayals that captivate and engage the audience.

However, "Atrabillious" does suffer from occasional lapses in consistency. Some scenes and plot developments could have been better executed, creating a few moments of confusion or disconnect. While these inconsistencies do exist, they don't significantly detract from the overall quality of the film.

Overall, "Atrabillious" deserves praise for its ability to deliver a gripping thriller experience. With its solid performances and effective direction, it successfully maintains the viewer's interest from start to finish. William Atticus-Parker showcases great potential as a director, and this film solidifies his talent. With a rating of 8/10, "Atrabillious" is a commendable addition to the director's filmography and a must-watch for fans of suspenseful cinema.

Atrabilious is the sophomore feature film from director William Atticus Parker.

Like Forty Winks, Atrabilious features a very strong lead performance. This time coming from Leon Addison Brown, who was great throughout the whole film.

As was Mark Boone Junior, who really comes through in the second half of the film with a very strong performance. I've been a fan of his since his work on Last Man on Earth and he really impressed here.

It's become clear that one of Parker's strengths as a creator is his eye for the camera and for great cinematography and great visuals. Atrabilious has some stellar shots throughout the film that will surprise you.

Parker is also a very unique writer as he introduces and talks through topics in a very intriguing way. Each film he's made so far talks through some tough topics and he does it very well and very delicately.