THREE SHADOWS – a trilogy consisting of three dark, captivating, spine-tingling segments will simply KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! The story (or stories) consists of "Nosferatu Beyond Death", an original tale written by director Ansel Faraj; and adaptations of Oscar Wilde's "the Picture of Dorian Gray" and H.P. Lovecraft's "The Shuttered Room".
A brilliant film with brilliant acting in all three segments by Kevin Shayer as Nosferatu in segment #1, Dorian Gray in segment #2, and as Abner Whateley in segment #3. He is tragic as Nosferatu bringing a new level of emotion and pathos to a role normally relegated to simply scare status. As Dorian Gray, he is both conniving and tragic, and as Abner, he performs the role with a believable curiosity; overall showing that he is a more than capable actor. The cast member who gave an outstanding performance, is Linden Chiles who was superb in segments #2 as the devious Lord Henry and creepy in #3 as Zebulon Whatley. He for lack of a better phrase - owns the film, and this reviewer hopes that a long collaboration of films between him and Faraj will be in the works . Also lending strong support are Mihran Konanyan, Vivian Brasch, Evelyn Hammid, and Matthew Greene. Vivian Brasch once again delivers a strong tragic performance in the first segment.
Other categories outstanding throughout the film were great special effects, a musical score consisting of tunes written by Mozart, Beethoven, and most hauntingly Tchaikovsky; a terrific makeup job by Keri Picolla – her effects in the first segment are fantastic, rendering Kevin Shayer almost unrecognizable as Nosferatu; photography, and costumes. It is an elaborate production, but it is overall a feast for the eyes. The script and direction shows that director Ansel Faraj knows his game. The film echoes the feel of the classic Hammer Horror films, a sweeping Gothic thriller that we need more of in these times. Pure escapism.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film and therefore feel I can wholeheartedly recommend seeing THREE SHADOWS to everyone. It's a haunting film, and you won't see anything else quite like it, I assure you.
