The film premiere of the new horror film ‘Drained’ took place at BAFTA headquarters on Thursday, Feb. 13th. A fitting venue not just because Valentines was the day after but also because it was BAFTA weekend with the awards taking place a few days later.
The premiere was drenched in talent, led by its Director and overall cool guy Sean Cronin (who also directed the well-received films ‘Give Them Wings’ and ‘Angel of the North’). Stars of the film were in attendance including Madalina Bellariu Ion, Angela Dixon and Andrew Lyle-Pinnock. Others at the film premiere included actor John Paul Gates and London Critics Circle Film Awards Chair Rich Cline.
‘Drained’ seduces you into its lair and will, for 100 minutes, scare, chill and thrill you as vampires bold and beautiful take over London. Thomas (a very good Ruaridh Aldington) is a talented artist but can’t seem to get any work. He still lives at home with his understanding mother (Dixon), and spends a lot of his time at a bar where his best friend works (Lyle-Pinnock). But when his mother starts dating an exterminator (Craig Conway) who moves into the family home, Thomas has no choice but to move into his flat and then, suddenly, meets the beautiful Rhea. Unfortunately Rhea is interested in just one thing from Thomas – she needs to feed so she wants to suck his blood. Thomas can’t resist Rhea’s seductive allure – she has him where she wants him, and she eventually moves in with him to ‘feed’ whenever she wants. Rhea has secrets she is hiding, but Thomas seems to be blind to it all, and continues his relationship with Rhea, until eventually it’s too late to turn back.
Cronin has directed (along with Peter Stylianou – who wrote the screenplay) a very London-centric modern day love story (with vampires!) that will chill and thrill you at every turn. The cast are all brilliant, and ‘Drained’ is just another feather in the cap of Cronin who continues to do films at lightening speed (according to IMDB Cronin has 17 upcoming films, in either pre or post production, or completed – whew – he’s one very busy man).
‘Drained’ is one scary ride, one that will make you think twice when someone wants to have a go at your neck.
Who doesn’t love a good bite to the neck!
‘Drained’ is now available to download on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play among other streaming sites.
By Tim Baros