T-Blockers

“Is this our new normal?” 

When an earthquake unleashes a parasitic worm, turning people into cannibalistic bigots, trans-filmmaker Sophie (Lauren Last) and her friends become targets for the growing hordes of racist monsters. While her small community has faced the increasing tide of hate crimes, this new horrific threat is something new. Banding together the LGBTQ+ community is the only way to stop the raging infestation. 

Set during the early post-pandemic days, when social lives were returning to their usual cycles, Sophie sets up a date that goes bust when it's revealed he’s a “chaser,” indicating his fascination with Sophie was only skin deep. Shrugging off the encounter, she seeks solace with her roommate and bestie, Spencer (Lewi Dawson, Satanic Panic). The destructive worms have taken over the town outside the queer-friendly spaces and are soon coming for them.

Stylistically and technically, Mackay is punching above her weight, offering dynamic images, interesting set pieces, astounding lighting setups, and a lived-in appearance. I wouldn’t call this a hang-out movie, but she gets interpersonal relationships right, giving her characters a relatable connection and comfortability. It's no wonder she cites Kevin Smith and Gregg Araki as influences on her work, seeing as how well she handles loving friendships and awkward situations. 

The trans, nonbinary, and queer cast bring a sense of urgency to their roles as people whose sole existence is a target for hate and bigotry. Whether it's knocking out the straight guy in the bar for his hate speech or slicing up rage-fueled cannibals, the support mechanisms holding the characters together are stronger than any supernatural worm invasion. 

Where T-Blockers suffers is within the mythology of the earthquake worms. We’re introduced to the supernatural element early on, but the rules become muddy as the story progresses. A barrel of ooze, telepathic visions, and cannibalism pile on as the runtime stretches. It's all strung together well, but I sometimes began questioning what was happening. Ultimately, it didn’t matter, as we’re treated to satisfying broad strokes of good versus evil. 

Mackay frequently uses framing devices, putting movies within movies. In T-Blockers, our vamp hostess is Cryptessa (Etcetera Etcetera, So Vam), who opens the film and provides a suitable warning for those about to proceed. Later, Cryptessa’s show becomes an integral part of the plot as superfans Sophie and Spencer revisit one of her shows to help them investigate the outbreak in their town. Mackay’s horror vocabulary is impressive and flexes it confidently through relatable tropes, practical effects, and lighting aesthetics. Mackay trims the metaphorical fat and goes for the jugular here, aligning the grim realities of transgender life with the supernatural bigot cannibals. 

A queer punk aesthetic combines with biting social commentary on the current state of socio-political discourse played out through the use of rallies, hypocritical political figures, and the sheer danger of being trans in public spaces. T-Blockers offers plenty for fans of horror, sci-fi, and contemporary queer cinema. So much exciting work is coming out of Australia that audiences shouldn't sleep on Mackay's contributions. 

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
Thanks to Dark Star and OCN Distribution, T-Blockers arrives on Region A Blu-ray. When loaded, the disc displays the Dark Star logo before landing on the static Main Menu screen with typical navigation options. The Region A Blu-ray disc is housed in a transparent keep case with a double-sided artwork sleeve. 

The AVC-encoded 1080p image for T-Blockers is presented in the original 2.35:1 format, offering a dynamic presentation of Mackay’s film. The colors are intense, with no scene without edgy neon highlights washing across the frame. Blues and reds dominate the color palette, but I am most struck by the inky black levels that provide the foundation for the presentation. Moody interiors offer plenty of detail within the frame. Even skin tones and detailed facial features present an image with noticeable depth and clarity. Mackay does well in establishing interior set pieces, taking a painterly approach to set design.

T-Blockers makes no excuses and rises to the occasion with a raucous sound mix. The disc offers three mixes: a 5.1 DTS-HD MA, 5.1 DD, and a generous 2.0 Dolby Stereo track. Audio levels are balanced, and dialogue exchanges are clear, whether during loud club scenes or intimate bedroom moments. Surround channels manage atmospherics and music confidently, with LFE reproducing club track bass without upending the balance. Driving punk rock tunes fill the soundtrack, taking every opportunity to deliver a pulse-pounding message. My favorite track, “Dead Men Don’t Rape” by Delilah Bon, closes out the film. English captions are available. 

Dark Star and OCN have loaded this disc with a wealth of features from writer/director Alice Maio Mackay, including a bonus feature film, two shorts, and an excellent interview segment. Fans of her work will indeed consider this a must-have disc! 

• Conversation (HD 13:50) A casual Zoom interview with T-Blockers writer/director Alice Maio Macay from actor Misha Osherovich (Freaky) in which the two discuss influences, trans culture in media, and the challenges of independent filmmaking. 
• Official Trailer (HD 1:30) 
• Bonus Feature Film: Bad Girl Boogey (HD 80:31) A slasher in which Mackay explores themes of social identity, gender, and horror tropes. 
• Bad Girl Boogey Audio Commentary from cinematographer Aaron Schuppan, camera operator Astra Vadoulis, and actor Iris Mcerlean. 
• Short Films:
• Howl of the Werewolf (HD 16:47) A 2022 short from Alice Maio Mackay about a playwright who encounters disturbances while on a writing retreat. Starring several of her frequent collaborators, the short is a campy yet fun horror romp. 
• The Serpent’s Nest (HD 27:13) A 2021 coming-of-age short from Mackay that tackles love, gender identity, and social acceptance with a supernatural hook. 
• Bad Girl Boogey Trailer (HD 1:37)
• How of the Werewolf Trailer (HD 1:10) 

T-Blockers is a thrilling genre-blurring ride from an exciting voice in queer cinema. While horror tropes are aplenty, director Mackay smartly fuses social commentary with the grotesque, all while winking at the camera. I had a great time diving into the disc from Dark Star and OCN, which provided more of Mackay’s excellent horror work. The A/V presentation is solid, with a fantastic presentation of the feature. Recommended