One of the newest releases from RLJE Films and Shudder is the aptly named The Dark and the Wicked, from writer and director Bryan Bertino (The Strangers). With the film now available on Blu-ray/DVD and On Demand, it is expected to hit the Shudder streaming service sometime soon. Now, before diving into the details of this review, the question on everyone’s mind is, “Is the movie scary?” To which I can honestly answer, HELL YES. With that said, let’s get to it.
Synopsis: On a secluded farm, a man is bedridden and fighting through his final breaths while his wife slowly succumbs to overwhelming grief. Siblings Louise (Marin Ireland) and Michael (Michael Abbott Jr.) return home to help, but it doesn’t take long for them to see that something’s wrong with mom— something more than her heavy sorrow. Gradually, they begin to suffer a darkness similar to their mother’s, marked by waking nightmares and a growing sense that an evil entity is taking over their family.
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From the very start of the film, Bertino and cinematographer Tristan Nyby drop the viewer into an uncomfortably heavy atmosphere that refuses to let up. The exterior shots of the farm house and barn show wide open land, yet has the feeling of being closed in and almost claustrophobic. Although sinister events are taking place, the adult siblings are tethered to the location for much of the movie, making these feelings even stronger. Adding to this is the sometimes startling, always haunting score. It is a crucial element with this otherwise quiet film, reminiscent of classic horror films such as The Omen and The Changeling.
Although the entity itself is unseen, the imagery it creates is nightmare-inducing. There have been comparisons to Ari Aster’s 2018 Hereditary, and it’s easy to see why, but Bryan Bertino has created a frightening film that is capable of standing out on its own. The small main cast, consisting of Marin Ireland and Michael Abbott Jr., are solid in their roles as Louise and Michael, with Ireland making us feel the sheer terror her character is experiencing. A highlight of the film worth mentioning is the performance of Ella Ballentine, who had a standout role in 2016’s The Monster.
Two potential issues viewers may have with the film is the lack of backstory with the mother (Julie Oliver-Touchstone) and father (Michael Zagst) and that the rules of this entity are vastly unknown. It plays with the characters in different ways without explanation. The unknown did not disrupt my viewing experience in any way, but could for others.
Overall, The Dark and the Wicked is well-produced and unnerving with plenty of effective scares along the way. Certain scenes have replayed in my head since watching, and for a horror fan, that can be the best gift a film can give.
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