The Dark

This is not a bad movie, nor is it a great movie.

PROS: The acting is superb, all the cast did an excellent job, which is the film's strongest asset. The mood is well captured, and it does a fair job of using emotion properly to convey what is left "unsaid"

CONS: A little too slow-paced, even for the nature of the movie. There is a sever lack of explanation for many aspects of the characters back-story and conclusion. While some might say in it defense that is "leaves it to the viewer's imagination", which I am fine with, this film takes that a bit too far in my opinion, and it makes it a bit disjointed.

My expectations thinking perhaps this was going to be in the vein of "Let Me In" perhaps skewed my opinion. The premise is similar on a very basic level - "boys meets undead girl, they sense kindred spirits", but this film was not executed nearly as well.

A solid movie in all aspects. However, Nadia Alexander kills it. An actor who can anchor a scene and bring intensity and believe-ability to most anything. The film touches on some dark themes and subjects throughout and does a good job of revealing what matters to the story. No spoilers, but the ending did what I was hoping for and not what I thought it might do instead which would have had it perhaps take a more tropey direction. The set was great and the make-up was exceptional.

Just finished watching and came here to review it. I've noticed that not everybody was impressed with it, perhaps some missed the point or maybe they into a different type of horror. I think The Dark did a great job in showing a rather new perspective of this genre, it was intriguing, well executed and had nice acting attached to it.

You will see the drama in it, that is for sure, but it still stands tall as a horror piece. Just not one that relies on gore, jump scares or torture porn. A story like I've never seen so far, doesn't take its sweet time to build itself up, it dives in and dare I say, it delivers!

All in all, The Dark is an excellent option for anyone that wants to see something different, new and provocative. Highly recommended.

Cheers!

Plot

An undead teenage girl befriends a blind boy that she meets in a forest she haunts and hunts in. Both have been victims of unimaginable abuse, and each finds solace in the other. There may be a chance of light at the end of their tunnel, but it will come with a body count.

Cast

Not familiar with anybody involved.

Verdict

A Canada/Austria collaboration, I went into The Dark knowing only the curious concept, and based on this alone I knew this would be an interesting unique film and wanted so badly to like it. But you know what happens when you go into a film with high expectations, they're rarely met.

Now to be clear this is an interesting unique film, that I could never take away from it. Like it however, not so much. I found it 1 part enjoyable for every 1 part confusing.

It's one that is watchable for the novelty value however doesn't live up to what it promises and therefore doesn't deliver a competent coherent story.

Could have been so much more with just a smidge more ingenuity from the writers.

Rants

I feel like they missed out a large chunk of the story, arguably two and I won't put any spoilers here. But I feel like we're owed an explanation regarding a certain origin and more importantly an element to the story that they implement they kind of just u-turn on with no logic nor reason. Man, this could have been so good if they'd just had better writers.

Breakdown

Great idea Unique Poor execution A few elements feel incomplete.

This one kinda surprised me. I started watching with zero expectations and it gradually grew onto me. The way the mood has been set here is commendable. With those haunting shots in those far away locations; they give you a feel of isolation. The clever use of sound did make the movie more interesting. The performances as well were genuinely good. Nadia Alexander as Mina just stole the show.

Although the characterizations left a taste of Incompleteness. The lack of information for the character of Alex is perplexing! As he was one of the main leads over there! The slow pace helped in terms of setting the right atmosphere and keeps you hooked through. But at the same time it often became the sole reason for the movie to holding back.

The story conveys Child Abuse, Tortures, Sufferings. And How it could turn someone into a 'Monster' Or A 'Helpless' being. And in that scenario All we need is for humanity to strike back. To have Its presence felt once again. In order to revert back to our natural being and to move on with our life. It portrays the struggles that the victims suffer, the traumas they carry all their lives. It shines the torch on those Teenagers/Children who have broken down mentally or even worse turned into something more horrible just because of their unfortunate painful past. This one speaks for the horror that are around us. It speaks about the Monsters who resides among us. It certainly strikes deeper than usual. And that's What I very much admire.

I really liked that portrayal here. The message here is surely subtle. You need to be invested thoroughly in order to grasp the idea. But you must. The only complaint I have is the wasted opportunity on so many aspects. The promising premise should have hold onto its true potential rather than becoming a mediocrity in the end because of inexperienced writing and Lack of well put explanations. Nonetheless it is a Good watch. One of the better ones in Indie Horror.