The Dark and the Wicked is an American horror film directed by Bryan Bertino. It stars Marin Ireland, Michael Abbott Jr., and Xander Berkeley in main roles. It was released on 6th November 2020 is now available on Blu-ray.
Louise (Marin Ireland) and Michael (Michael Abbott Jr.) are siblings and have arrived at their parent's home to see their ill father. A nurse (Lynn Andrews) is appointed by them to take care of the old man in that house only. Since Louise and Michael's arrival, their mother (Julie Oliver Touchstone) starts to act strange, like very strange, chopping her own finger like strange and a few days later she hangs herself in the barn outside the house. The siblings start to sense that something is wrong as Louise is also experiencing bizarre things like her father creeping around the house despite that he couldn't walk. She soon understands that what really killed her mother and the same wicked thing is after them.
Bryan Bertino has also written the film which is creepy like hell. The atmosphere that he created is intense and is not like any other horror film which has its central ghost character with creepy makeup. No, this doesn't have that but with the first 15 minutes, you can get that there is something far more dark and wicked that is lurking in the house and the barn.
The bleating of the goats and the sudden jump scares are alarming and grabbing as you know what will happen next and it surely doesn't disappoint you with its horror scenes. But if you ask me - is it scary? No, it's not. It's creepy and shocking and disturbing but it's not scary. One scene that stayed with me is when Michael goes to see his wife and his children and whatever happens next is very unsettling and shocking.
The siblings and their parent's relationship are not clear here, why are they living individually, and how's the scenario was before all this. The makers rely on the eeriness, and the weirdness to create an impact on the audiences and dives deep to bring out the sad and depressing state of mind of the siblings and to make a supernatural and bizarre film out of it is not new - take examples like Mama and The Babadook.
Marin Ireland as Louise, and Michael Abbott Jr. as Michael shine throughout the film. They're the only ones who make this film watchable whenever it becomes dull. Xander Berkeley as the priest has his moments and Julie Oliver Touchstone as mother is creepy and Michael Zagst as father has no scope for anything.
The cinematography by Tristan Nyby is brilliant. The film is amazingly shot and appears eerie as required. The production design by Scott Colquitt is good and the music is Tom Schraeder is also very appropriate for a horror movie. The editing by William Boodell and Zachary Weintraub needed to be sharper.
The Dark and the Wicked despite some of its drawbacks, is horrific and grim. The amazing sound design, like the rattling of the fences, and humming of the mother are amazing but the film as a whole is not that entertaining. Nevertheless, it's shocking and unpredictable and being unknown to whatever strange that is happening works in the favor of the film. It's up to you that you've to adjust yourself to the slow pace and use your imagination to watch this film. It's not that bad but not so good either.
Rating:- 2.5/5
Now on Blu-ray.
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