Sorgoï Prakov, My European Dream

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".

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...

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.

A real found footage gem that slowly but surely turns absolutely feral. The acting and camera work are excellent, especially for a found footage piece. I will say I was not prepared for just how feral this dude would get so just assume the second half needs pretty much any trigger warning you could think of that would reasonably be in a ff horror. If you enjoy psychological horror and watching the human psyche unravel, this is the movie for you.

As movies about losing your mind goes, this felt very realistic. The main actor was nothing short of amazing. And as someone that has had his time with drinking and drugs and bad luck, this depiction of a fall into insanity seemed all too real.

The editing/direction here was some of the most sure-fire I've seen. There's no fat in this movie. And much is left to the imagination.

I'd been waiting some time to see this and WAS NOT disappointed.