The majority of Horror fans would be aware of the legend of Spring-heeled Jack. Sightings took place over Great Britain, including the Midlands and Scotland from 1837. In February 1855 a similar creature caused terror around Devon in England. This time, definite hoof like prints appeared in the snow that covered a considerable distance. The cloven prints lead to the development of many theories and legends regarding the creature that caused them. Many tales claim it was the devil. The creature, or something similar, even made its way to America, if it was not already there. There it is known as the Jersey Devil. Using this terrifying creature as inspiration, latest Horror movie Dark Was the Night will bring that terror to a new audience. Released by Image Entertainment on July 24th, Dark Was the Night, is an edgy character driven story.
- Still from Dark Was the Night
Written by Tyler Hisel (Safari 2013), as his second feature film, and directed by Jack Heller; who has produced films such as Damage (2009), Bad Milo (2013), Dark Was the Night tells the tale of a deeply troubled man who also happens to be the Sheriff of an isolated US town. Kevin Durand (X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2009, Real Steel 2011) plays main antagonist Sheriff Paul Shields. No matter what he does or where he goes, he wears the consequential grief of a recent accidental death like an old coat. His estranged wife Susan is played by Rules of Engagement actress, Bianca Kajlich (Bring it On 2000, 30 Minutes of Less 2011), who takes care of their son Adam (Ethan Khusidman) but maintains her support of Paul.
The accident follows Paul around, affecting his every thought, feeling and action. His new partner Donny Saunders (Luke Haas: Mars Attacks! 1996, Inception 2010), recently left New York to join the local police department after the death of his partner, and acts as a sounding board for Paul. In recent months a logging company has began clearing the woods that surround the town. One night something happens and an entire lumber crew disappears. Almost nothing can break Paul from his sorrow, but with the continued disappearance of people, and a rash of pet and stock disappearances, he has no choice but to think about what is going on around him.
- Still from Dark Was the Night
The unexplained events starts raising a number of questions. Dismembered remains are scattered throughout nearby woods, even ending up in trees. Townspeople start speaking about an old legend, strangely reminiscent of past events, and they look to Paul to solve the problem. In a matter of days matters escalate, leaving the townspeople to band together with Paul, Susan, and Donny to protect themselves and their town from whatever creature is hunting them down. Scene by scene the tension builds, and Paul is left scratching his head, what in the hell is out there? Paul’s world is torn apart inside and out, but it is not clear if he has the strength to keep fighting. Perhaps it is just easier to give in.
Hisel not only provided his main character Paul with external and internal conflicts, he took those to the extreme and then stripped Paul of everything he held dear. The consequence of this: by being only a quarter of the way through the movie, well before any significant action takes place, the viewer already feels a great deal of empathy with Paul, Susan, and Donny. This raises the stakes for each of the characters, taking the viewer along for the ride. Despite the depth and intensity of each character, the plot action and suspense do not suffer. Quite the contrary. In fact, Hisel has expertly crafted a fabulous tale of misery, pain, and loss while also injecting a big dose of Horror.
- Still from Dark Was the Night
The entire film is well-acted, scripted, and shot. The cinematography by Ryan Samul (We are What we Are 2013, Cold in July 2014), captures the essence of each emotion, and thought, including minute details others may have missed. A modern day tale of supernatural proportions, and observed by the viewer, Dark Was the Night has the potential to be in the top Horror films of 2015. It is not often that viewers get all they hope for in a movie, but Dark Was the Night delivers what it promises. Seamless special effects and Hisel’s extraordinary plot, complement the exceptional direction by Heller. The pair certainly make a force to be reckoned with in the movie genre. A must watch, with a surprise ending, CrypticRock gives Dark Was the Night 5 out of 5 stars.
- Image Entertainment
){kind=link}
No comment