NoSeeUms (2025)

3 stars

Torchlight Studios and Odin’s Eye Entertainment. Frightfest

The internet reliably informs me that NoSeeUms are small biting flies midges with the scientific name of Ceratopogonidae. So now you know.

The story opens in the past with a young black girl sleeping. Dreaming. A voice calling her name ‘Ember’. She watches as an older black woman is attacked viciously by a white man – angered after the woman has bitten him.

Cut to the present day and Ember is all grown up and attending a class in African American Studies – they are discussing black land theft where property that is inherited is taken from them by white folks. Ember is clearly engaged in what is being taught and covered. Of course this will play into the narrative later.

Ditching her black friend Jazz (Jasmine-Chase Johnson), Ember goes away for the weekend with different compatriots – Tessa (Jasmine Gia Nguyen), Lexi (Jessie Roddy) and the rich girl of the group Abigail (Tabby Getsy). They are heading to Florida, to stay at Abigail’s family lake house (though there is no lake).

When they arrive at the huge property, in the middle of nowhere, Ember is struck by an odd feeling – it somehow seems familiar and she sees shocking things …

They settle in to the isolated dwelling – Abigail’s family have owned the land for ‘forever’ apparently.

It isn’t long before strange things start to happen – whilst outside Ember sees something and comes across a swarm of the titular flies at a gravesite. She is seemingly grabbed by someone. Distraught she explains to the others ‘it didn’t look human’. Understandably frightened, she wants to leave. Of course there is nothing there when they go to check it out and she is outvoted.

In the meantime the rather bitchy Abigail treats Ember like the help, rather than a good friend. At the evening meal Ember tells them that she lived in Florida until she was eight. Something happened which meant they moved away.

Of course more freaky things start to happen – Ember is haunted by frightening dreams, featuring the old woman from the opening scenes. She seems familiar to Ember. How is what is occurring linked to her personal history and family?

Aleigha Burt plays the central role believably and the script by Jason-Michael Anthony and Hendricks Joseph has something to say about white privilege. About how black people were treated in the past. How being rich brings power and advantage. It even touches on slavery — thankfully it manages to get its message in without being preachy. The film features some gorgeous cinematography by Christopher Lee Fatt, and there is some effective strong imagery along the way – it’s a shame the finale tips into silliness and you kind of know where it is heading with the revelation near the end not much of a surprise.

Steve Kirkham