‘Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person’ is a dark comedy about a squeamish predator and a despondent teen.
Sasha’s (Sara Montpetit) birthday was meant to be a rite of passage — her first time feeding from a live human victim. But rather than match her family’s bloodlust, she cringes at the thought and feels sorry for the soon-to-be-deceased. Several psychological and medical tests reveal that she may never be able to don her fangs in the service of killing. Her mother is appalled, while her father supports his daughter’s unusual condition. Decades later, Sasha is still being sustained by blood bags procured by her reluctant loved ones who simply cannot let her starve to death. However, Sasha’s chance encounter with Paul (Félix-Antoine Bénard) brings about new possibilities for the future — as well as her fangs.
The vampire tortured by their nature is a revisited concept, though this adds a layer of complexity as Sasha’s impacted canines mean she’s physically incapable of biting and feeding on her prey. The film does an excellent job balancing the narrative’s seriousness with its comedy as Sasha’s unique diagnosis lends itself to humorous interactions with Paul and her family. Of course, as the title suggests, a suicidal person solves everyone’s problems. Meeting Sasha finally gives Paul options as the end of his life could serve a purpose by extending hers. What follows is a series of amusing pranks and anticipated flubs as the two draw nearer the inevitable conclusion, which is topped with a logical but still disquieting cherry.
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person had its North American premiere in the Centrepiece programme at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Read other reviews from the festival.
Director: Ariane Louis-Seize
Starring: Sara Montpetit, Félix-Antoine Bénard and Steve Laplante
