With the month of October and Halloween now behind us, it’s time to get back to business. Because the life of a THS writer (or any horror movie writer) never stops. So, let’s get back to it. The film we’re briefly looking at today has been covered by the Syndicate since the teaser trailer and poster were unleashed last year. I have been foaming at the mouth to get to see this film for that long. Will my intense expectations be met or will they come crashing down to earth? I have my customary screener ritual of popcorn and an adult beverage set. So, let’s dim the lights and check out Reel Splatter Productions’ I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday.
Spoiler-free synopsis
After an unnamed apocalypse has completely ravaged the entire earth, there are very few survivors. Doomsday follows a young mother as she tries to protect her 8-year old son. As their food and water supplies begin to dwindle and with Christmas approaching, she must venture out of their secure bomb shelter and into the unknown to gather up what is needed to live just another day.
I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday is Reel Splatter Productions’ first full-length feature film. It was executively produced by Bram Stoker award-winning novelist and overall horror badass Brian Keene. Keene also happens to be one of my personal favorite authors. Doomsday was given its world premiere showing at the Nightmares Film Festival in Columbus, Ohio on October 20th.
In his full-feature film debut, Doomsday was written and directed by Reel Splatter founder Mike Lombardo. Giving us, in my humble opinion one the finest film directorial debuts in recent memory. Lombardo was truly a jack of all trades in this production. Also handling the practical special effects and editing duties. Behind the camera alongside Lombardo was Dylan Stern-Courney as director of photography. Together they did an amazing job canvasing an irreparably bleak and desolate landscape. While also capturing a thoughtful longing for better days gone by, with nostalgic innocence during a time of pure hopelessness.
Even with a tight independently financed budget, Lombardo was able to cast a very strong group of young actors. Damien Maffei (Christmas of the Dead, Closed for the Season) and a couple of film newcomers. Reeve Blazi as the innocent and hopeful 8-year old Riley and Hope Bikle as his fiercely protective mother. The trio gave such an endearing family unit performance, imbuing raw emotion. Their performances have already paid off as well. With Bikle taking home the Best Actress award from Nightmares Film Festival last month. Well-deserved too.
Doomsday is not a true conventional horror film. Not at all. It is a harrowing expose into the horrors of survival. Which in a way, is so much more terrifying than anything that goes bump in the night. Despite its short runtime of only 70 minutes, I was completely blown away by I’m Dreaming of a White Doomsday. The powerfully raw performances really grab you and set the tone of the film. Making you in the audience feel like you are in the bomb shelter with them.
I actually teared up on more than one occasion believe it or not. That’s how real this film felt. Especially when we discover that Riley’s most favorite toy in the whole world, is an action figure of Melvin aka The Toxic Avenger from the short-lived Troma cartoon Toxic Crusaders. It made me joyfully tear up recalling one Halloween of my youth when I dressed up as Melvin.
Needless to say now, but those intense expectations of mine from earlier were fully met and then some. I cannot fully articulate the spectrum of emotions I felt as I watched Doomsday. But I will leave you with this…
This is a Christmas film through and through. Against all odds and at the end of the world, still holding onto the spirit of Christmas. Even when there’s nothing left to even hold onto.
That is what Christmas truly means….
IMDb: 8.7/10
ZombiSurvivor: 8.8/10
Here’s the trailer!
As Always, Thanks for Reading Boils and Ghouls!
STAY SCARED!
-ZS
