Afflicted

Plot synopsis:
Childhood friends Clif Prowse and Derek Lee have decided to venture all over the world to film their travel web series “Ends of the Earth”. The trip is Derek's last wish, as he has an AVM, which could cause his death at any moment.
Clif and Derek stop in Paris to meet with old friends currently on tour with their band. After their initially uneventful stay, Derek picks up a woman by the name of Audrey after telling her about his AVM. Later that night, Clif bursts into Derek's hotel room as a prank, only to discover a bleeding and scratched Derek, and no sign of Audrey. Though Derek doesn't remember anything about the attack, they assume that Audrey planned to rob him.
Upon getting to Italy, Derek passes out and sleeps for an entire day. Clif awakens him the next afternoon for lunch. At the restaurant, Derek hungrily devours his pasta dish before suddenly projectile vomiting. Later, at a vineyard, Derek has an extreme reaction to sunlight, and is forced to flee inside, covered in burns. Back at the hotel room, Clif attempts to calm Derek down, only for Derek to explosively punch clean through the corner of a stone wall with his bare hands.
Over the next few days, Derek displays heightened strength, speed and agility. Clif attempts to persuade Derek to stop their trip and come home, but Derek continues to insist that there is nothing wrong with him. As Derek grows sicker due to not being able to eat, he finally agrees to go to a hospital. On the way, the two are almost hit by a car. Derek fights with the angry driver and passenger, completely overpowering them both, before licking their blood off his hand.
Clif correctly deduces that Derek has contracted vampirism, but researching online proves useless. Derek first tries drinking blood obtained from a butcher, and then kills and drains a man's pet piglet, only to vomit out the blood on both occasions. Realizing that Derek needs human blood, he and Clif attempt to rob an ambulance, which proves unsuccessful, and they retreat back to the hotel. Derek enters a catatonic state, and Clif decides to slit his own wrist to give Derek some of his blood, but discovers that Derek has escaped. He attempts to find him, only to be ambushed and killed by the completely inhuman Derek. Upon regaining his senses and realizing that he has killed his friend, Derek shoots himself in the head with a shotgun. Shortly after, however, Derek's head heals with only slight scarring, and he is faced with the fact that he is unable to be killed.
Soon after, Interpol agents attempt to take Derek into custody, forcing him to escape in daylight, carrying only Clif's camera bag. He manages to get back to France and hides in an abandoned warehouse in Paris. Reviewing the footage of his meeting with Audrey, he realizes that her cell phone might be at the hotel where she bit him. After retrieving the cell phone, Derek texts every one of the numbers on the contact list in order to try and lure someone to him. Eventually, a man shows up, and Derek tails and kidnaps him. He then sets up a live-stream event to draw Audrey in, but his hideout is stormed by the French Riot Police (CRS) and Derek is shot to near-death before entering a frenzy state. After slaughtering the police, Derek escapes once again.
Audrey finally meets Derek in an abandoned building, where she apologizes for accidentally making him a vampire, and tells him that there is no cure for his condition. Derek lashes out at her and the two briefly fight, but Derek is easily overpowered by the more experienced Audrey. Audrey urges him to feed every five days, lest he become inhuman again and begin killing indiscriminately. Audrey instructs him to choose whom he kills, and explains that she chose Derek because he was dying, and she thought she was being kind.
Later, Derek posts his final entry online, in which he explains that he can never contact his family again. He then kills and feeds from a child molester.
In a mid-credits scene, a teenage boy and two teenage girls are seen sneaking into a swimming pool, only to be attacked. The boy gets away, and with his camera running, finds the bloodied corpse of one of the girls before Clif, now also a vampire, appears and attacks him.

Tags: mystery, murder, paranormal, violence, horror, flashback

Review:
The film feels fun, fresh and upbeat from the start with a good use of SFX showing a real 'College Movie' vibe then quickly becomes engrossing and dark with plot twists and turns that offer something new to this over produced genre.Would Recommend.
The solid acting, quirky dialog,pace and storyline are interesting enough that the viewer is content to watch as Derek and Clif prepare to undertake filming the vacation of a lifetime.
However, to my surprise, Afflicted ended up being an excellent film with solid performances, good production values and an ingenious screenplay which presents its classic premise on a fresh and quite creative way...
Many modern filmmakers think that the pseudo-documentary technique is an excuse to do the things badly, but co-directors and co-screenwriters Derek Lee and Clif Prowse show a considerable discipline to keep the narrative logical and consistent, with enough style to make it visually interesting and (finally!) realistic and pleasant characters I truly empathized with.
The found footage horror genre technically pre-dated the digital filmmaking boom by nearly two decades (with 1980's "Cannibal Holocaust") but the age of user-generated footage, when everyone with a smartphone has one trigger finger ready to hit record, has made the device too ubiquitous for its own good.The two actors performances are credible enough to legitimize the terror, only stumbling when they glare directly into the camera and profess their fears (a "Blair Witch" cliché that has run its course, the confessional moment is the worst example of overstatement).
It's a superficial delight to watch "Afflicted" gradually ramp up its effects work, and while the scares don't sink too deep, the movie offers surefire confirmation of found footage horror's latest stage..
Considering the filming style and what i'm assuming was a low budget, they do deserve credit for making a believable pseudo-documentary about their journey, but not everything had me swayed into thinking "yeah, this definitely feels unscripted and completely natural".
Considering that this is the basic premise of "found footage" style films, to make the viewer feel like they are watching a real person instead of an actor, "Afflicted" falls short in a few areas which detract from the overall viewing experience in my humble opinion.
I would recommend this film to fans of the horror/mystery genre, or for anyone wanting to watch an entertaining, albeit different, type of movie.
When they hit Paris Derek meets a beautiful woman at a nightclub and takes her back to his room, only to be attacked by her.He begins undergoing some transformations and the the 2 travellers are plunged into an absolute nightmare of horror.This found footage movie differs from others in that it offers a solid plot, well developed characters, and a great story as things progress very quickly from bad to worse.The low budget doesn't show as the special effects are very well done.
While the film has some elements that have been done before, such as bad things happening while traveling abroad and the "found footage" angle, Lee and Prowse did a good job adding new elements and keeping it somewhat fresh.
Compared to many low (and high) budget horror films, the actors did a fine job and the special effects/stunts were actually believable.
I also enjoyed the mystery element to the story that keeps you wondering throughout, but I think I would've preferred a little more explanation as to what happened at the beginning of the film.All-in-all, a good, simple story that kept me engaged throughout.
What an excellent decision it proved to be.I think the biggest advantage i had was that i didn't know at all what the movie was going to be about - all i knew was it was 2 guys filming themselves and it was a low cost budget flick.After reading other reviews (after the fact) and seeing some say the cost was like 70k to make it i am flabbergasted.
All things considered, Afflicted is a surprisingly good movie, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants 90 minutes of entertaining and competent fim making..
I LOVED this film, so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that some of the folks who didn't enjoy it were spoiled for the big plot twist, i.e. they went into it knowing what the "affliction" is.Anyway, I'm not even a big fan of the "cam" subgenre of horror (I'm a devotee of movies like "The Conjuring" and "The Awakening," horror films with a slow, steady Poltergeist-esque progression of creepy events).
The make you jump moments are good enough to keep you watching though not too gory eitherIf you like zombie/vampire/cannibal movies then give this a try and you won't be disappointed by this Canadian movie.Overall its worth a look..
First off I have to say that if you haven't seen Afflicted yet you should go ahead and watch it before reading too many reviews and getting an idea of what the movie turns out to be.
Just know that it's a found footage view of the adventure of two best friends who decide to take a trip around the world and document the entire thing on their video blog for their friends and family back home, yet quickly the cameras turn away from the amazing landscapes over to one of them when something mysterious starts to go wrong.
I really didn't expect it to be the film that it quickly becomes and it was greatly welcomed.The acting is for the most part delivered with great accuracy and the plot isn't too far fetched considering what kind of movie it turns into.
While it is apparent this film isn't a $100million blockbuster it never felt like I was watching a low budget film the way the camera work and effects are pulled off.As compared to played out ideas like being possessed by the devil and watching families be screwed with by ghosts on their home security cameras, its a shame that truly entertaining fun films that take a new direction on an ancient idea such as Afflicted don't get as much attention as they should.I'm insanely happy that I happened to stumble upon this film yet I'm almost saddened by the fact that I almost overlooked it and easily could have never seen the film whatsoever.
If you're looking for a great scary movie and you don't mind the found footage style, at 84-mins Afflicted makes out to be one to be remembered..
I'm glad I watched this at home, with others, because its better when you can talk during, I think.The filming style and story build was fun, even though you feel like you're in a video game for parts...
OK so i just finished watching the new found-footage horror flick "afflicted" (a movie that i have been wanting to watch since October 2013).
and believe me when i say, its gonna be like no other found footage film you've seen before.a definite must-see if u r a fan of the found footage genre, and even if u r not, u should go see it anyway simply for the fact that it is a great watch.right now i'm trying my best to find something...
Very well done.I often skip found footage movies, because a lot of them are pretty bad and also exhausting to watch (overly shaky cams, anyone?), but this is one it's worth seeing.
You have to kill to survive!"The moment "Afflicted" began, I sighed and thought to myself : "Please not again such a terrible found footage movie ..." Usually they look like a documentary with dreadful amateurish movie clips It always seems as if it is filmed by some grandmother who forgot that she has to push the red button again so it will stop recording.
I think it's a creditable performance by the makers, to achieve this movie with the limited resources they had.Conclusion: The beginning felt rather forced, but when Derek's mutations manifest (and I anxiously try not to give any spoilers away), a raw and frenzy story starts.
However, with so many wannabe film-makers trying their hand at the (cheap) genre, there are an awful lot of 'duds' out there in the 'straight-to-dvd' market.I'll say right away that 'Afflicted' isn't anything THAT good.
It also makes a movie lack of what I consider good photography (which is one of the aspects of a movie I enjoy more), but some times this type of filming can come up with interesting material.
Along with other two I can remember on this style that I liked (Cloverfield and Chronicles) this had the same filming/photography quality (and there's a lot of different regarding budget) but I didn't feel the story was that interesting or well developed.
The story is nothing new, and the script is not perfect, but it's a good excuse for showing off with some good Ideas the director wanted to put in a movie and works for a good hour and half entertainment, if there's no high expectations.Good acting, fair story and script and really interesting action.
They did an excellent job and I think anyone with a slight interest in horror or the supernatural would enjoy this film.If you are really iffy about watching the movie, definitely check out the trailer before saying no..
Afflicted is a clever, tension filled, found footage pseudo-documentary horror, from Derek Lee & Clif Prowse- a couple of Canadian dudes who wrote, directed, and play themselves in the film.Clif & Derek are best friends.
It's also indicative of the interesting blend of truth and fiction they've woven together- which keeps you intrigued.When Derek discovers that he is at risk of a terminal blood clot, he and Clif decide that they should travel around the world, while documenting Derek doing all the things he's always wanted to do, on film, in the process.Everything starts off fun and innocent.
It's well paced with excellent direction, smart writing and good acting.It surprised us in parts, made us laugh in others but all around it was an interesting take on a certain aspect of the horror genre that I won't spoil.It was atmospheric in all the right places and it was beautifully shot, how they managed to make it look that good on under $350,000 is very surprising.Give it a watch and ignore the negative reviews..
Sure, the hand-held camera angles and points of views were a little bit hard to swallow, but they actually worked out well enough for the movie.The storyline was nice and had a good pace to it.
I liked this movie a lot, i didn't know it was going to be a "Blair Witch" type of movie, but it is very well done and it feels like the perfect combination between a normal movie and a "carry the camera" movie.I would describe it as a good movie, and worth taking the time to see it.The performances are very natural and the effects are very realistic.
It gets you into the mind of the actors and helps you feel their desperation.I haven't seen a "found footage" film that offered something different for a long time, but like i already said, this is a very good movie and it feels very different from the others of the same genre..
No matter the naysayers, it seems as though the found footage genre is well and truly here to stay, from nasty little low budget ventures through to big budget tent poles, the filmmaking style bought to popularity by The Blair Witch Project, revived by Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity and continued largely in the horror pool of movies is here once more utilised in Derek Lee and Clif Prowse's low budget and at times intriguing example of the movie making technique.A somewhat strange hybrid of action and horror, Afflicted should not be sought out by those looking for a horror kick as the focus here is more so on out and out action set pieces than bone chilling scares and it's to the films downfall that it doesn't allow for more scares to be had amongst the well filmed and originally staged carnage.
It's hard to know whether these creators were a bit afraid to go too far either way with their script, unwilling to go down the well-worn track of a slow burn jump scare type deal or unsure if an out and out action blast would stack up on a limited budget.Afflicted's action may be a strong point and equally so is some acting by leads Lee and Prowse, while the story their characters inhabit might lose a little steam and at times be a little disinteresting these actors conduct themselves well and stay clear of the recent trait of found footage actors in becoming overly annoying or daft and even when the guys are doing ridiculous things or making questionable decisions, Derek and Clif are guys we are rooting for and interested in despite our better judgements and its testament to the acting ability they possess to coincide with their directional attributes.Afflicted has some neat moments, some original ideas and is a nice showpiece for what creators Lee and Prowse are capable of.
Clif, a film-maker plans to chronicle their adventures on a website, capturing every moment on film, but the trip goes awry during their visit to Paris, where Derek contracts a mysterious condition after being attacked by a woman.Derek Lee and Clif Prowse's pseudo-documentary Afflicted began in a manner that immediately rankled me, with the kind of gimmicky editing and visual jiggery-pokery that is all too prevalent in horror these days (and in modern cinema in general); the fact that I also found the two main characters irritating in the extreme didn't bode well either.
Also serving to make the film very enjoyable are the excellent visual effects, many of which will have you wondering just how they were achieved, and some gnarly violence.As with most films of this type, which tell the entire story through the lens of a camera, there are lapses in logic, where it is hard to believe that anyone would continue to film in the circumstances, but look past this and what you have is a very enjoyable addition to the 'mockumentary/found-footage' genre—a well-paced, expertly told, technically proficient tale of supernatural horror that develops in a believable fashion despite the fantastic nature of its premise.7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb..
the 'simple' look of it turns out to be very intentional.i was a bit surprised about the topic, in a good way, not cliché at all - rather it evolved kinda realistic and intriguing.the events that happen and the reaction to them kept me interested throughout the end, not as predictable as i thought it would be.there are some bloody and brutal scenes, tastefully in my eyes, towards the end some action.
Documenting their travels through Europe, a pair of friends find that a strange encounter with a mysterious woman is the cause for one's series of transformations and tries to end the vampiric affliction.Overall this one was a highly enjoyable and entertaining found-footage effort.
When those tendencies give way to the full-on behavioral change in the second half, the fun really comes into full-effect with a series of exciting and intense action scenes based around the chasing and encounters of the police to try to apprehend him for their belief in his involvement with the crimes while he uses those vampire qualities to continually escape at high-speeds through the city streets and deep underground, resulting in frantic encounters at his hotel, the roof of a hotel complex and finally the massively fun and enjoyable brawling through the underground maze of bunkers with both the remaining police force and finally the vampire who turned him to begin with, which for once puts the found-footage aspect to good use throughout these scenes.
I watched this film because one of my friends recommended it to me as a sample of good low-budget amateur movie but after watching it I absolutely believe that some people should do something else and leave the camera alone.
I did not know it was a horror movie!Actually I do not remember how it came that I stumbled upon to watch this film.
I won't say much for fear of spoilers, but this is a fresh, entirely fun take on the vampire genre, with some special effects and action sequences that are pretty impressive for a low budget film.And do watch through the entire credits.
The first installment of a horror double bill (with The Borderlands), both offering a variation on the 'found footage' genre, Afflicted makes for a perfect starter with a fine blend of intrigue, shock and gore.Co-directors/writers Derek Lee and Cliff Prowse star as versions of themselves in this faux travelogue documenting their world tour together.
I usually don't like to take make chances on low budget found footage horror movies, but I was blown away by how well done it was!
AFFLICTED (2013) *** Found-footage horror flick that manages to breathe new life into the tired sub-genre thanks to newbie tag-team filmmakers (and real-life buds) Derek Lee and Clif Prowse as the duo embark upon a globe-trotting journey into fear, when Lee's encounter with a beautiful woman (Baya Rehaz) has disastrous results - namely transforming him into a vampire.
The first things that came to my mind when I was watching 'Afflicted' was how it's yet another found footage film.
The camera isn't too shaky, which is one of the things I don't like about first person footage films.
I think found footage has moved far, far beyond the limits of just horror, but when I watch a film like "Afflicted" I see that potential realized.
I don't regret watching it, I was entertained, but by no means is this the "best" POV horror movie like some of the reviews suggest.The very first thing that annoyed me was the lame "inspirational viral Facebook video" feeling they give to the first 20 or so minutes.