Described as an ‘Erotic Thriller,’ Black Diamond marks the feature-length directorial debut from 2016’s Lady Bloodfight Co-Writer Judd Bloch.
In theaters and On Demand through Brainstorm Media on January 10, 2025, the film follows Elena (Inbar Lavi: The Last Witch Hunter 2015, Eight Gifts of Hanukkah 2021), who has gone to stay with her hedge fund manager boyfriend Spencer (Ray Panthaki: 28 Days Later 2002, Boiling Point 2021) at his luxury cabin in the snowy wilderness. Upon arrival, Elena meets rugged cowboy handyman Jesse (Jake McLaughlin: Cloverfield 2008, Warrior 2011), and soon they begin a secret affair. However, there is much more to Jesse than meets the eye, and Elena discovers that ending their affair might be the least of her worries.
Black Diamond’s crowning jewel is, without a doubt, its location. Bloch originally wrote the script whilst in Telluride and then was able to return there to actually shoot the film, a process he described as “an incredible personal journey.” With its backdrop of stunning vistas and miles of powdery snow, the film immediately creates a chilling atmosphere before the drama and tension even begin.
As far as the story goes, it is not necessarily anything that audiences have not seen before, and the film does fall into several stereotypes. There is the rich, over-privileged boyfriend who believes that the ‘help’ should be seen and not heard, the less privileged handyman who also happens to be super smart and talented if only he’d been given the same opportunities, and the woman caught between the two of them. However, Black Diamond does manage to differentiate itself from being too tropey with some twists and turns. In particular, certain characters reveal hidden layers that the audience may or may not have guessed.
Black Diamond also explores greed, temptation, and betrayal. Does money matter more? Or do people? The film certainly believes that money is the root of all evil, and audiences will either be completely surprised by certain characters’ actions or, conversely, not surprised at all. Additionally, the central three leads give strong performances, and Inbar Lavi and Jake McLaughlin stand out as the two characters who embark on a dangerous affair.
Overall, this is a solid debut from Judd Bloch. There is certainly enough to keep audiences engaged. However, there is not necessarily anything that elevates the film beyond that. The location and performances are the film’s biggest strengths, meanwhile the story and plot are slightly weaker. Black Diamond will probably most appeal to those harboring their own fantasies of rugged cowboys where there is drama aplenty! That is why Cryptic Rock gives Black Diamond 3 out of 5 stars.
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