On November 12, 2024, Entertainment Squad offer viewers the new Horror film Dark Night of the Soul. Available on VOD and via cable providers, the Glass House Distribution production is meticulously orchestrated and written by the multi-talented Director S.J Creazzo (My Little Demon 2012, Skipping Stones 2020). Furthermore, it features a cast of recognizable names such as Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines 2003, BloodRayne 2005) and Martin Kove (The Karate Kid 1984, Cobra Kai series).
As the initial footage of Dark Night of the Soul spews out an assortment of images related to the pesky virus hellbent on the decimation of the human species, you face the scientist whose brilliance is the knockdown punch needed to bring the virus to its knees. This is while Alex portrayed (Loken) is up against the seemingly daunting task of finding a cure before humanity faces extinction.
The next scene is an unexpected reminder that intellectual brilliance does not necessarily deter one from being momentarily distracted and making poor choices. In fact, this is the precise moment that captures our focus as we watch in abject fascination the execution of a vehicular somersault and inevitable crash. The ariel zoom-ins give a superb visual of the utter isolation surrounding Alex as she lay unconscious making it appear that the probability of a rescue was akin to finding a needle in the haystack. The musical scores amplify that complete sense of isolation.
In her first stirrings of consciousness, you soon learn that Alex is amazingly self-reliant. Loken deftly channels her inner Athena and brings to the screen a credible human powerhouse determined to overcome all odds. Faint flickers of empathic smoke swoosh to red hot flames as one yearns to help but can only silently cheer her on with knuckles white from the anxiety build up as she strives to survive single-handedly. This is in mind when the camera zooms in on her face, you see intense pain etched on her face and hear her erratic breathing as she figures out her next move.
It is in her seemingly hallucinogenic state that you get to see an intimate look at who Alex is through intense and revealing conversations with various family members. Alex’s pain and anger are peeled away like the layers of an onion. In these moments she is transported to the other side, receiving an epiphany and an absolution of guilt before she is revived.
Enriching and thought-provoking, Dark Night of the Soul is a great example of the intricate, convoluted familial relationships that pepper the planet. Furthermore, the interactions among the entire cast (including Jesse Kove and Paola Paulin) are engaging and realistic. Moving along at a steady pace, it is a wonderful watch for those who enjoy a well-made survival movie. With themes such as survival, familial conflicts, guilt, and anger all wrapped inside, Cryptic Rock gives Dark Night of the Soul 5 out of 5 stars.
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