Erik Bloomquist might just be one of the hardest working people on the indie film circuit. The multifaceted writer, director, actor, editor, and producer has, in the last twelve months alone, released three feature films: Ten Minutes to Midnight, Weekenders ,and Night at the Eagle Inn. Each of Bloomquist’s directorial offerings have been very different from one another. Ten Minutes to Midnight offers vampire carnage, Weekenders is a romantic drama akin to Reality Bites, and his newest offering, Night at Eagle Inn, is a fun spin on a story that could be straight out of The Twilight Zone.
Co-written with his frequent collaborator and brother Carson Bloomquist, Night at Eagle Inn joins twins Spencer (Taylor Turner) and Sarah (Ameilia Dudley) as they arrive at the titular Inn. The pair are there to investigate the disappearance of their father who vanished the night that they were born, after having visited the establishment. Once checked into the Eagle Inn, the pair hear some strange stories about the venue from the innkeeper and groundsman, then the real fun begins. Night at Eagle Inn features all of what is fast becoming the Blommquist’s trademark punchy dialogue. The pair write words in a snappy and exciting way that, whilst dynamic, still manages to retain some validity. These banter heavy words are both smart and modern and draw the viewer into both the world and the characters effortlessly.
Bloomquist and his leads have all worked together previously on television show, The Cobblestone Corridor; this history helps generate some easy and engaging performances. In that show, Turner and Dudley also played twins, and their pre-established work as siblings really helps to sell the relationship here. At barely seventy minutes long, there isn’t much time to set up characters. Fortunately their off-screen relationship translates into electric chemistry on screen and ensures a fun time. The pairing of Turner and Dudley is great, the two bouncing off of each other’s energy and crafted a viable set of twins, a set that you would really like to hang out with. They handle the words of the Bloomquist’s with ease, bringing Spencer and Sarah to life. Not only do they sound the part, and immediately make you want to be a part of their group, they also look super cool. With Dudley’s long dark hair and Turner’s icy locks, they are a visually striking pair whose contrast on screen conjures an almost Yin Yang look to them.
Where things get really exciting though is when the character of groundsman Dean, played by Beau Minniear, enters the ring. He enters to be the twins guide to all things Eagle Inn, spending the evening plying them with alcohol and regaling them with creepy stories about the hotel. There’s a frisson of electricity that ripples through the air, charging it with sexual tension as Dean flirts and teases both Sarah and Spencer. This bi-sexual vibrancy revs up the piece, adding some much needed energy to what is otherwise a quite static story. Minniear is truly fantastic as Beau, leaving the viewer and the twins guessing as to whether he can be trusted.
Reinforcing the snappy words and buoyant performances, Night at the Eagle Inn also looks gorgeous. The colour palette is full of lovely teal hues, especially in the landscape behind the opening title. As the film progresses, more colours are pushed in, all working to create an eerie environment for the kooky story to play out. This is then accompanied by a delicious score of synths, organs, and distortion from Gyom Amphoux, which really helps create atmosphere.
The plot itself presents an alluring mystery. It might not be the most original of stories at its core, but Bloomquist works hard with the other elements to really sell it. The overall feeling is that Night at the Eagle Inn falls somewhere between a Twilight Zone story and The Innkeepers, and as such makes for a very easy and enjoyable watch. What makes the film so inviting though is its forward-thinking and modern representations that, although present, don’t steal focus from the narrative, and simply serve to endear itself further.
Night at the Eagle Inn
Summary
At only seventy minutes long, Night at the Eagle Inn breezes past and is a heady mix of humour and horror. It’s made better still by the sharp dialogue from Erik Bloomquist and his brother Carson Bloomquist, and some fantastic performances from the cast. Off-screen history between cast and crew translates into electric chemistry on screen and ensures a fun time for all.
Night at the Eagle Inn was reviewed at Grimmfest 2021.
