Sorgoï Prakov, My European Dream

What worked: What made the movie viewing experience enjoyable was the first half, where it felt like a real interactions with the local people, I think it was improvised. The movie blended well between real and the scripted narrative. It felt real, engaging and thrilling, and his portrayal was entertaining. The makers made sure that it will start slow and then take pace afterwards and that's what happens in the movie. What did not work: The movie somehow lost the touch with the reality and the series of events after the first half went too fast and without any proper reasoning and explaining. As the movie progressed, it became equally difficult to watch and grasp the series of events and the intensity that it happened, making it feel like it's gone too far. The use of camera was done beautifully in the first hour of the movie , making us believe that the narrative is progressing through the actor's camera. But later in the movie, they stole that chance and made it visible the makers used the camera to film the actor using the camera. Some scenes were overly done and making it Ian's disturbing to watch.Also, the conclusion of the movie is not morally and cinematic wrong and is glamorized and glorified to make it possible, but the end isn't what it should have been. Final verdict: recommended

DESCENT INTO DARKNESS chronicles Sorgoi Prakov's (Rafael Cherkaski) trip through Europe. It starts out like any other tourist-made video, taking in the sites and landmarks of Paris. There's a very bouncy, light feel to the proceedings. Prakov himself seems to be an amiable enough chap.

To be honest, if this was all there was to this movie it would still be worth watching, due to the humor and charm involved. Prakov is infectiously naive and silly.

Of course, things are about to change drastically.

This is a very well-made "found footage"-type film that really comes across as authentic. The contrivance of having a camera on all the time is handled in a believable way. As things start to come apart, and Prakov falls deeper into the abyss, we actually feel the desperation and madness building.

The final act of this movie is extremely disturbing. Be sure to reinforce your guts with titanium before watching this one!

One of the most effective movies of its kind. Not for the squeamish nor the easily offended...

Well.....I sure picked the wrong movie to watch on Christmas day. If you are looking for a warped,grotesque,disturbing little POV "found footage" movie....you have come to the right place. This isn't a paranormal film,so if that's what you like,this ain't for you. This is the story of one man's (obviously) decent into complete madness. It's one that may stick in your head for awhile after viewing it. It's not the most disturbing film I have ever seen,but it does have it's own W.T.F. moments. The acting wasn't bad,and overall it's a pretty good film. Just don't fire this one up on "family movie night".

If you're into really messed up movies and don't mind low quality, handicam found footage style then this might be 10/10 for you.

If you hate really twisted stuff on screen, agression, brutality or found footage style this might be 1/10 for you.

I respect the length they were willing to go, but for me it was a bit too disturbing and while I respect the art choices to go full mumbling and such at the end - it depicted well the mental state of the lead -, it was less enjoyable as a pure movie experience.

I loved it for a couple reasons but couldn't enjoy it, so gave it a 5/10. It feels less found footage and less horror and more first person documentary for someone with serious mental sickness hitting a rough patch, turning to alcohol and drugs which worsen his condition and goes onto a full episodic agression, rape, torture and killing spree with some gory parts, child torture and probably cannibalism if I decoded correctly.

The point of this entire project escapes me. The character of Sorgai I find particularly unlikeable. A man in denial , who makes no sensible decision within the whole narrative.

The 'decent to madness' seems nothing more than a bottle to many, and a wildly poor judgment of choice. Personally I wished for his downfall quickly and the end of this quicker .

The hand / head held camera is 'steady enough in its execution, but you can't help but wish the downfall of this ridiculous character , doomed from first view of a terrible mustache.

Simply a very boring film . I genuinely wished for the end to hurry up, with no real care of the outcome .