Flesh & Blood (Into the Dark)

Last updated
"Flesh & Blood"
Into the Dark episode
FleshAndBlood.png
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 2
Directed by Patrick Lussier
Written byLouis Ackerman
Featured music Michael Wandmacher
Cinematography byAmanda Treyz
Editing byKayla M. Emter
Original air dateNovember 2, 2018 (2018-11-02)
Running time93 minutes
Guest appearances
  • Dermot Mulroney as Henry Tooms
  • Diana Silvers as Kimberly Tooms
  • Tembi Locke as Dr. Helen Saunders
  • Meredith Salenger as Rose Tooms
  • Heidi Sulzman as Officer Foster
  • Lavetta Cannon as Officer Banks
  • Matthew Downs as Mr. Taylor
  • Liisa Cohen as Police Official
  • Rasha Goel as News Anchor
  • Erin Fitzgerald as Emergency Operator
  • Krystin Noel Goodwin as Newscaster / Radio DJ
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Body"		Next →
"Pooka!"
List of episodes

"Flesh & Blood" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the second episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on November 2, 2018, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Patrick Lussier from a script written by Louis Ackerman and stars Dermot Mulroney, Diana Silvers, Tembi Locke and Meredith Salenger.

Contents

Plot

In a flashback sequence, the Tooms family - Henry, Rose and their teenage daughter Kimberly - are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, sharing their thoughts about what they have to be thankful for. Nearly a year later in the present, Rose Tooms has been murdered and her killer has not been found. Henry (Dermot Mulroney) spends much of his time renovating their house, which Kimberly (Diana Silvers) cannot leave due to a severe case of agoraphobia. Kimberly is taking medication, she spends her time on an online agoraphobia support group, and she meets regularly in her home with a therapist, Dr. Helen Saunders (Tembi Locke), who is becoming dissatisfied with the lack of progress.

For her 17th birthday present, Kimberly receives from her father a necklace with a charm on it. When watching a television news report about a recently abducted teenage girl, Kimberly notices that the charm on the gifted necklace looks identical to the one the missing girl is wearing. She goes online to research cases of other missing young females, and notices they look similar to her dead mother. Suspicious of her father, Kimberly searches his room and the attic, finding evidence that appears to incriminate him. She calls her aunt for help with the intent of leaving the home, but can't due to her agoraphobia.

Tensions mount in the house. Kimberly confronts her dad, accusing him of killing the missing females and her mom. At one point, she feels threatened by her father and calls 911. However, her father convinces her that she needs him, and when two LAPD officers arrive, Kimberly recants her accusation. The officers leave the home, but before they do, one of them gives Kimberly her card.

Kimberly goes online to research Propofol, a bottle of which she has found among her father's belongings. Discovering that it is an anesthetic and sedative, she becomes more convinced that her father is a killer. Meanwhile, Henry has located evidence of his daughter's snooping. Father and daughter become violent towards each other. Kimberly slashes Henry with a knife after he lunges at her. He chases and catches her, injects her with Propofol, and locks her in her room. She escapes her room, but not the house, and Henry catches her again after a chase in which they cause considerable damage to the house.

Dr. Saunders arrives for her next session, and Henry warns Kimberly that if she says anything, someone will get hurt. He also sits in on the therapy session. When Kimberly goes to the kitchen to make tea, she puts Propofol in her father's cup and slips a note ("Need Help, call 911") under Dr. Saunders’ cup. The therapist notices the note as she's leaving, upon which Henry pulls her back into the house and kills her with a box cutter.

Henry ties up Kimberly and confesses to his murders, but he blames Kimberly for the therapist's death. The Propofol kicks in, however, and he is temporarily knocked out. Kimberly is able to grab the box cutter and free herself. She calls the police officers, who instruct her to leave the home, but she cannot. Henry awakes and attacks Kimberly. Noticeably crazed, he pours gasoline throughout the home and sets it on fire. In the attic, Kimberly entices Henry into walking over a covered hole in the floor, and he tumbles below and is eventually consumed by the fire. Kimberly crawls out a window to escape the burning house and waits for the police to arrive.

Production

Development

On May 2, 2018, it was announced that the series had been titled Into the Dark and that its second episode was titled "Flesh & Blood". Patrick Lussier was set as the episode's director and it was set to be released on November 2, 2018. [1] [2] [3]

Casting

Simultaneously with the announcement of the series premiere, it was confirmed that Dermot Mulroney, Diana Silvers, and Tembi Locke would star in the episode. [1] [2] [3]

Release

On October 24, 2018, a trailer for the episode "Flesh and Blood" was released. [4]

Reception

The episode was met with a positive response from critics upon its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the episode holds a 75% approval rating with an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 based on 8 reviews. [5]

In a positive review, Hulu Watcher's Paul Zuniga praised the episode saying "The final credit 'Flesh And Blood' deserves is of presenting a mystery that remained unsolved until the very end. Most horror mysteries grant audiences an omniscient perspective of the situation so they know who the real villain/hero is before the characters involved do. 'Flesh And Blood', on the other hand, keeps audiences guessing to the final act of the episode." [6] In a similarly favorable analysis, Laughing Place's Mike Mack said, "The episode's ability to make the viewer uncomfortable is an accomplishment in and of itself, and one that the horror genre typically strives for. The story paces well, with spurts of intense drama dispersed throughout." [7]

In a more mixed critique, Paste 's Jacob Oller gave the episode a rating of 6 out of 10 and commented "Yet, adequately entertaining, with a couple of great lead performances (a list which includes Mulroney’s pulsing forehead veins) and a deliciously intense end, 'Flesh & Blood' is a pretty-if-stupid B-movie whose schlockiness has plenty to unpack for those looking for an easy thrill." [8] In a further ambivalent editorial, Hypable's Katie Awad criticized the episode's lack of a real connection to Thanksgiving but compared it favorably to the first episode saying that it is, "a more classic horror story, lacking the humor and buckets of gore as the premiere, but it makes up for it with edge-of-your-seat tension." [9] In another equivocal criticism, /Film 's Daniel Kurland gave the episode a rating of 5 out of 10 and said that it, "evokes a stifled, more straightforward household blueprint. Squeamish slasher deaths traded for familial cat-and-mouse chasing, hellborn Nic Cage swapped with handyman Dermot Mulroney. Lussier works on a smaller scale that even at 80ish minutes wears itself thin. Less a mystery and more a delaying of the inevitable." [10]

In an outright negative appraisal, Bloody Disgusting 's Daniel Kurl gave the episode 3 out of 5 skulls and said that "While the performances are enjoyable and plenty of 'Flesh & Blood' is thoughtfully handled, some of its plotting feels rather convenient and hackneyed. There are ample opportunities where the story could deepen, but it instead spins its wheels on the same ideas." [11] In an similarly unfavorable assessment, RogerEbert.com 's Brian Tallerico gave the episode 2 out of 5 stars and commented "And so as 'Flesh & Blood' becomes more predictable, the filmmaking doesn't tighten like it needs to in order to go from mystery to thriller. It just sags and dries out like, well, an overcooked turkey." [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catherine Keener</span> American actress (born 1959)

Catherine Ann Keener is an American actress. She has portrayed disgruntled and melancholic yet sympathetic women in independent films, as well as supporting roles in studio films. She has been nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for Being John Malkovich (1999) and for her portrayal of author Harper Lee in Capote (2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dermot Mulroney</span> American actor (b. 1963)

Dermot Patrick Mulroney is an American actor and cellist. He is known for his roles in romantic comedy, western, and drama films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tembi Locke</span> American actress (active 1994– )

Tembi Locke is an American actress who has appeared in television shows and film. She is best known as Dr. Grace Monroe on Syfy's series Eureka and as Dr. Diana Davis in Sliders. Locke is also the author of the bestselling memoir, From Scratch, which was later adapted into a limited series by Netflix.

Patrick Lussier is a Canadian-American filmmaker and editor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attica Locke</span> American writer (born 1974)

Attica Locke is an American fiction author and writer/producer for television and film.

<i>Insidious: Chapter 3</i> 2015 horror film by Leigh Whannell

Insidious: Chapter 3 is a 2015 supernatural horror film written and directed by Leigh Whannell in his directorial debut. The film is a prequel to the first two films and the third installment in the Insidious franchise. The film stars Dermot Mulroney and Stefanie Scott, with Angus Sampson, Whannell, and Lin Shaye reprising their roles from the previous films.

Crow's Blood is a Japanese six-episode horror streaming television drama series with an original story concept written by Yasushi Akimoto and executive produced by Darren Lynn Bousman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gigi Saul Guerrero</span> Mexican filmmaker (born 1990)

Gigi Saul Guerrero is a Mexican filmmaker and actress. She gained recognition for creating and directing the 2017 horror web series, La Quinceañera. In 2019, she directed episodes of The Purge and the anthology horror series, Into the Dark.

<i>Into the Dark</i> (TV series) American horror anthology series

Into the Dark is an American horror anthology television series produced for Hulu, with each stand-alone episodic installment based around a different holiday. The first season premiered on October 5, 2018, and consists of twelve feature-length episodes of television films. Into the Dark was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 4, 2019, and also consists of twelve episodes.

The Body (<i>Into the Dark</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"The Body" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the first episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on October 5, 2018, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Paul Davis from a script he co-wrote with Paul Fischer, based on the 2013 short film of the same name also written by the duo. It stars Tom Bateman, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Aurora Perrineau, David Hull, Ray Santiago, Harvey Guillén, and Max Adler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pooka!</span> 3rd episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"Pooka!" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the third episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on December 7, 2018, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Nacho Vigalondo from a script written by Gerald Olson and stars Nyasha Hatendi, Latarsha Rose, Jon Daly, Dale Dickey, and Jonny Berryman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Year, New You</span> 4th episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"New Year, New You" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the fourth episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on December 28, 2018, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Sophia Takal from a script she co-wrote with Adam Gaines and it stars Suki Waterhouse, Carly Chaikin, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Melissa Bergland.

Down (<i>Into the Dark</i>) 5th episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"Down" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the fifth episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on February 1, 2019, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Daniel Stamm from a script written by Kent Kubena and stars Natalie Martinez, Matt Lauria, Arnie Pantoja, Diane Sellers, and Christina Leone.

<i>Trick</i> (2019 film) 2019 American horror film

Trick is a 2019 American slasher film directed by Patrick Lussier and starring Jamie Kennedy and Omar Epps.

<i>Books of Blood</i> (film) 2020 anthology horror film

Books of Blood is a 2020 American anthology horror film directed by Brannon Braga and co-written by Braga and Adam Simon. It is based on Books of Blood by Clive Barker and is the second film adaptation after Book of Blood (2009). The film premiered at the 2020 Screamfest Horror Film Festival on October 6, 2020, and was released on Hulu the following day. This was the final production by Touchstone Television before being folded into 20th Television.

Pure (<i>Into the Dark</i>) 12th episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"Pure" is the twelfth episode and final episode of the first season of Hulu's horror anthology streaming television series Into the Dark. The feature-length episode was directed by Hannah Macpherson, who also wrote the episode's teleplay. It was released on Hulu on September 6, 2019.

<i>Hellraiser</i> (2022 film) Film directed by David Bruckner

Hellraiser is a 2022 supernatural horror film directed by David Bruckner, with a screenplay by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski, from a screen story co-written with David S. Goyer. A reboot of the Hellraiser franchise, the eleventh installment overall, and the second adaptation of the 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker following the 1987 film, the film stars Odessa A'zion as a young woman recovering from addiction who ends up with a mechanical puzzle box that can summon the Cenobites, humanoid beings who thrive on pain being pleasure. Jamie Clayton, Adam Faison, Drew Starkey, Brandon Flynn, Aoife Hinds, Jason Liles, Yinka Olorunnife, Selina Lo, Zachary Hing, Kit Clarke, Goran Višnjić, and Hiam Abbass appear in supporting roles.

"Uncanny Annie" is the thirteenth episode and first episode of the second season of Hulu's horror anthology streaming television series Into the Dark. The feature-length episode was directed by Paul Davis and focuses on the holiday of Halloween. It was released on Hulu on October 4, 2019.

References

  1. 1 2 Sprague, Mike (May 2, 2018). "Must-Read: Hulu and Blumhouse's Year-Round Horror Series Gets Tons of New Info - Dread Central". Dread Central . Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Patterson, Adreon (May 2, 2018). "Hulu Renews The Handmaid's Tale, Announces Three New Shows". Paste . Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Villarreal, Yvonne (May 2, 2018). "Hulu gives series order to Mindy Kaling's 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' TV adaptation — and unveils other programming news". The Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  4. ↑ Collis, Clark (October 24, 2018). "Exclusive: Dermot Mulroney could be a very bad dad in trailer for new 'Into the Dark' episode". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Into the Dark: 'Flesh & Blood'". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  6. ↑ Zuniga, Paul (November 2, 2018). "Blumhouse's Into The Dark: Flesh And Blood review". Hulu Watcher. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  7. ↑ Mack, Mike (October 22, 2018). "Review - Blumhouse's 'Into the Dark: Flesh & Blood' on Hulu". Laughing Place. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  8. ↑ Oller, Jacob (November 2, 2018). "Into the Dark Strays into Silly Thriller Territory with "Flesh & Blood"". Paste. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  9. ↑ Awad, Katie (October 22, 2018). "'Into the Dark: Flesh & Blood' review: Murder most fowl". Hypable. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  10. ↑ Kurland, Daniel (November 6, 2018). "Hulu's Holiday Horror Anthology 'Into the Dark' Takes on Thanksgiving With 'Flesh and Blood'". /Film . Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  11. ↑ Kurl, Daniel (November 1, 2018). "[TV Review] Thanksgiving-themed 'Flesh and Blood' a Dry and Overcooked Episode of 'Into the Dark'". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  12. ↑ Tallerico, Brian (November 2, 2018). "Into the Dark: Flesh & Blood Movie Review (2018)". RogerEbert.com . Retrieved December 10, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.