Blackout is a 2008 psychological thriller film directed by Rigoberto Castañeda and starring Amber Tamblyn, Aidan Gillen, Armie Hammer, and Katie Stuart.

It is based on the novel of the same name by Italian novelist Gianluca Morozzi, although the plot of the film deviates heavily from the source material.

The plot is about three people, one of whom is a serial killer, who are trapped in an elevator after a power blackout.

Three strangers (two men and a woman) are riding in an elevator when a power outage leaves them stranded.

The story opens with Claudia covered in blood, leaving a hospital for home.

He is first shown leaving his girlfriend's house on his motorcycle, then entering the elevator along with Karl and Claudia.

During a flashback we learn he is a former drug addict and fought with his girlfriend's alcoholic father.

Tommy is then shown playing with a butterfly knife, which they subsequently use to keep the elevator's door open for ventilation.

As Tommy is climbing up the elevator shaft Claudia flashes back to earlier that day.

Karl begins to speak about his night before with a woman and that he needs to clean up the apartment before his daughter arrives.

Claudia reveals that she has a bottle of water, causing Karl to accuse her of keeping secrets.

In the midst of their fight, the elevator slips further, closing the door and scaring them into remaining calm.

Claudia then flashes back to her dying grandmother asking for a photo of her husband, explaining why she returned to the building.

She complies, but he retains her inhaler and crushes Tommy's leg, claiming he is now the leader and is asserting his position.

[3] Annie Riordan of Brutal as Hell rated the film 3/5 stars and stated that the plot requires much suspension of disbelief, but it's worth watching.