Black Noise
Directed by Philippe Martinez
Written by Sean-Michael Argo, Philippe Martinez, and Leigh Scott
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Jackson Rathbone, Eve Mauro
Rated R
Runtime: 1 hour, 86 minutes
In theaters nationwide November 3

by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer

The B-movie Black Noise has a decent gimmick: a beam of light vaporizes people, turning them into residue. Moreover, this light is connected to a piercing sound that causes folks to see bad things from their past. However, the filmmaker, Philippe Martinez, who co-wrote the screenplay, never quite harnesses the power of this intriguing premise. Instead, he creates an “And Then There Were None” scenario as various characters are killed by this evil force. It is a shame because the film could have been a nifty sci-fi thriller.

After seeing a man evaporate in the opening sequence, Black Noise cuts to Ryan (Wayne Gordon) getting a call that he must mobilize his squad to rescue Laura (Nike Spiridakos) who is living on an exclusive island. Ryan assembles his team—Leo (Jackson Rathbone), Leila (Sadie Newman) and Sarah (Eve Mauro)—and they are soon joined by Jordan (Alex Pettyfer), who is back after some time off processing the death of his wife. 

As the team arrives at the picturesque island, they encounter, well… nothing. The place is deserted, with some evidence of life left behind. When someone touches the debris from a vaporized person, a crippling, ultra-high frequency sound—the “black noise” of the title—all but shatters the eardrums of Ryan, Leo, Sarah, and Leila. Somehow, Jordan remains unaffected.

Moreover, the team, including Jordan, all start having awful visions. (The shaky-cam effect that conveys this is kind of hokey.) Leo sees his abusive father (Tom Downey); Ryan hears children screaming and pictures a young girl (Centia Corbie) who needs his help; Sarah envisions a car accident; and Jordan flashes on images of his late wife. Had the characters worked through their guilt and traumas, Black Noise might have been more compelling, but the film uses these episodes to hasten members of the crew towards their own deaths. 

As such, the film does not have much of a point. There is very little action in the first hour, save the characters yelling and cursing, as well as yelling and cursing at each other. Much of the suspense comes from watching the crew wander around the island looking to escape because no one is safe. The most surprising moment has Jordan holding Sarah down and covering her mouth, to keep her from screaming. That she slaps him and tells him to never touch her again provides the film’s most dramatic moment. 

Sarah bemoans that the situation is hopeless, and perhaps it is, as on the few occasions where they encounter other people on the island someone ends up dying. Whether is it a function of the low budget, or just a novel approach to death, the special effect of a red puff of smoke spouting from a head when shot with a gun—rather than blood spurting everywhere—is kind of cool. 

But Black Noise should have been cooler. In the last 20 minutes, when Jordan and others encounter ninja-like baddies, the fight scenes feel really lame. Jordan shoots a few of these creatures—one oozes a strange liquid—but then he pitches his gun and just kicks another to death. It is more amusing than exciting, especially after such a slow burn set up.

Black Noise does not explain too much about the evil noise, which is actually to the film’s credit, and it does feature a nicely ambiguous ending. But there is not much else to appreciate. Alex Pettyfer practically sleepwalks through his role. He wears a hostile expression as if he does not want to be in this film, much less on the island. Jackson Rathbone distinguishes himself if only because Leo is often annoying. At least Eve Mauro generates some empathy because she seems to be the film’s voice of reason. 

Despite its potential, Black Noise is underwhelming.