The Transfiguration Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A lonely kid who thinks he’s a vampire kills people for blood but gets distracted by a girl who likes cutting herself.

🍿 The Transfiguration: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Troubled Teenager’s Obsession

Milo is a lonely and troubled teenager living in a dangerous neighborhood in New York City with his older brother. He is deeply fascinated by vampire lore and spends much of his time watching classic vampire films and reading about their myths. Beyond his fascination, Milo harbors a dark secret: he believes he is a vampire and acts upon this belief by preying on others. He meticulously documents his ‘hunts’ and adheres to a set of self-imposed rules, blending his disturbing actions with his detailed study of cinematic vampires.

Meeting Sophie, a Fellow Outcast

Milo’s isolated world begins to change when he meets Sophie, a young white girl who moves into his building. Like Milo, Sophie is an outcast dealing with her own hardships, including abuse from her grandfather and struggles with self-harm. The two alienated teenagers form a unique bond, finding solace and understanding in each other’s company. Their relationship challenges Milo’s rigid worldview and his commitment to his ‘vampiric’ lifestyle.

Blurring Fantasy and Reality

As Milo spends more time with Sophie, his strict routine of watching movies and hunting is disrupted. Sophie introduces him to new experiences and emotional connection, making it harder for him to maintain his double life. Milo grapples with his feelings for Sophie and the conflicting demands of his perceived ‘vampirism’ versus the possibility of a more normal life. This internal conflict forces him to confront the boundaries between his dark fantasy and the harsh reality of his existence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Milo (Eric Ruffin): A lonely, troubled teenager obsessed with vampire lore who struggles with violent compulsions he relates to vampirism.
• Sophie (Chloë Levine): An alienated and depressed teenager who finds a unique connection with Milo, forming a bond that impacts his life.
• Lewis (Aaron Moten): Milo’s older brother and guardian, burdened by his own struggles and acceptance of Milo’s severe issues in a dangerous environment.
• Corey (Luis Scott): A peer from Milo’s dangerous neighborhood who represents the everyday external threats and bullying Milo endures.
• School Psychologist (Karin Cherches): An authority figure attempting to counsel Milo, highlighting his known history of disturbing behavior.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Milo: “It is what it is.” – Said with a flat affect to Sophie, reflecting his passive acceptance of his difficult life and environment.
• Lewis: “No matter what happens, what he has to do to survive.” – Lewis says this to someone off-screen (implied about Milo), indicating his resigned acceptance of his younger brother’s dark tendencies.
• Milo: “I only drink blood from dead people. It’s… realistic.” – Explaining his ‘rules’ or compulsion, contrasting his actions with supernatural vampire fiction he studies.
• Milo: “They don’t follow the rules. That’s not how it works.” – Critiquing popular vampire portrayals (like Twilight, which is mentioned) for not adhering to what he perceives as ‘realistic’ vampire principles.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $22,091
• Worldwide Gross: $28,631

💥 The Transfiguration Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘The Transfiguration’ expecting some kind of vampire flick, maybe like ‘Let the Right One In’ but set in NYC? It wasn’t that at all, but in a pretty interesting way. It’s way more of a character study, really diving into this kid Milo who’s obsessed with vampire movies but, well, he’s just kinda messed up and thinks he’s one. It felt raw and uncomfortable at times, watching him navigate his life and this dark secret. Meeting Sophie adds this whole other layer, like a little bit of light gets let into his dark world, even though she’s got her own issues. Their scenes together were the most compelling for me; you could really feel this weird, hesitant connection forming. It’s a slow burn, for sure, don’t go in expecting action, but it sticks with you afterwards. It made me think about loneliness and how people cope with terrible things. Definitely not a feel-good movie, but powerful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in character studies”
  • “Those who appreciate independent cinema”
  • “Audiences looking for non-traditional takes on horror/vampire themes”
  • “Fans of films like ‘Martin’ or ‘Let the Right One In’ (though distinct)”
  • “Those interested in themes of trauma and social isolation”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Depictions of blood and self-harm (implied/discussed)”
  • “Disturbing thematic content (trauma, abuse, delusion)”
  • “Language”
  • “Depicts a dangerous urban environment”

Professional Reviews

• User Review Summary: “More of a drama or psychological thriller than a true horror, ‘The Transfiguration’ offers a thought-provoking character study. It delves into themes of trauma and isolation through the lens of a troubled teen’s vampire obsession. While slow-paced, strong performances, particularly the lead, keep you engaged. A unique take on vampire lore focusing on the human condition.
• User Review Summary: “This film is a bleak and uncomfortable look at a disturbed teenager. It’s not a typical horror but unsettlingly realistic. The protagonist is difficult to read, but the actor excels at conveying his internal struggles. Though it borrows from films like ‘Let the Right One In’, it finds its own footing. It’s challenging but ultimately a compelling watch.
• User Review Summary: “While ambitious, ‘The Transfiguration’ suffers from painfully slow pacing and a lack of engaging characters or plot development. The main character feels deadpan, making it hard to connect. Some technical choices, like shaky camera work and a dated soundtrack in tense moments, detract from the experience. Not a movie I’d recommend unless you have extreme patience for a very slow burn drama.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were surprised by how it was more of a drama or psychological study than traditional horror.: People often praised the lead actor’s performance and the film’s unique, realistic take on its themes. The relationship between the two main characters was also frequently highlighted as a strong point, offering emotional depth.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing film primarily seen as a slow-paced, realistic drama with horror elements, appreciated for its character study and acting but criticized for its deliberate pacing and lack of traditional genre thrills.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016, having been submitted by director Michael O’Shea on a whim.”
• “The film heavily references classic vampire movies such as ‘Nosferatu’ (1922) and George A. Romero’s ‘Martin’ (1977), the latter being a clear influence on the film’s approach to vampirism.”
• “Larry Fessenden, a prominent independent horror filmmaker known for vampire films like ‘Habit’ (1995), makes a cameo appearance.”
• “The film was shot on location in New York City, contributing to its gritty, realistic atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Transfiguration?

Released theatrically in 2017, ‘The Transfiguration’ is available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Physical copies on DVD may also be available.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Transfiguration, you might like these similar films:

• Let the Right One In (2008): Features a poignant relationship between two outcast teenagers involving vampire elements, focusing on themes of loneliness, belonging, and morality.
• Martin (1977): Explores the story of a young man who believes he is a vampire but whose actions are rooted in psychological issues rather than the supernatural, set in a gritty urban environment.
• Moonlight (2016): A powerful coming-of-age drama centered on a troubled young Black man navigating a harsh urban environment, exploring themes of identity, isolation, and human connection.
• Habit (1995): Directed by Larry Fessenden (who cameos in ‘The Transfiguration’), this cult classic presents a gritty, urban, psychological take on vampirism as an addiction or affliction rather than a supernatural state.
• Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922): Referenced within ‘The Transfiguration’, this silent classic is one of the earliest and most iconic cinematic depictions of a vampire, contrasting Milo’s ‘realistic’ view with traditional horror.

🛒 The Transfiguration Related Products

• Let the Right One In (Criterion Collection Blu-ray): The acclaimed Swedish vampire film frequently referenced in ‘The Transfiguration’, known for its poignant story and unique take on the genre.
• Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (Blu-ray): The classic silent film from 1922, a foundational piece of vampire cinema directly featured and referenced by the protagonist, Milo.
• Urban Drama Film Collection (Various Directors): A collection of independent films focusing on coming-of-age stories set in challenging urban environments, exploring themes of poverty, violence, and isolation.
• Classic Horror Movie Posters Print Set: A set of art prints featuring classic horror movie posters, potentially including films referenced in ‘The Transfiguration’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Transfiguration features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Every Night” – performed by Jack Harlow

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Gospel of Matthew Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1)

Wanna see the story of Jesus’s early life straight from the source? This animated summary of the Gospel of Matthew gives you the perfect quick dive into the biblical accounts that probably inspired a lot of what you saw in the movie – it’s pretty cool how they break it down!

Understand How the Holy Spirit Works in the Bible

Ever wonder what the Bible means when it talks about the “Holy Spirit”? This video clears things up and gives you some great background on a really central idea in the faith tradition the movie is based on – I found it super insightful!

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