site update
On this day in 2020 (in Brazil), The Dark And The Wicked enjoyed its big screen theatrical debut. (IMDB.com also notes that it played on this day in 2020 for the first time at the Tribeca Film Festival.) Written and directed by Bryan Bertino, the film starred Marin Ireland, Michael Abbott Jr., Tom Nowicki, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"On a secluded farm in a nondescript rural town, a man is slowly dying. His family gathers to mourn, and soon a darkness grows, marked by waking nightmares and a growing sense that something evil is taking over the family."
For the record:
To the film's credit, The Dark And The Wicked earned a good deal of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit as well as garnering an impressive six nominations at the 2021 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.
-- EZ
The Dark and the Wicked (2020) is a bleak, slow-burn supernatural horror film written and directed by Bryan Bertino (The Strangers). It follows two siblings who return to their isolated family farm to care for their dying father, only to be terrorized by a malevolent entity that feeds on grief, despair, and isolation.
Key Details
- Plot: Louise and Michael return home to a secluded Texas farm, finding their mother disturbed and their father bedridden. A demonic presence begins breaking down their sanity, manifesting in terrifying, nightmarish events and driving them towards hopelessness.
- Atmosphere: The film is characterized by a relentless, dread-filled atmosphere with no lighthearted moments, focusing heavily on grief and existential despair.
- Reception: Critics and audiences have praised it as a deeply unsettling "hidden gem" of modern horror, although some noted the story is straightforward and focuses more on atmosphere than complex lore.
- Themes: Key themes include the loss of faith, family trauma, the pain of losing a parent, and the terrifying nature of isolation.
- Performance & Style: Features strong performances, particularly from Marin Ireland, and is noted for intense, shocking scenes.
The film, which premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival in 2020, is frequently described as highly disturbing and effective, often recommended for horror fans looking for a truly scary experience. It is generally available to stream on Shudder.
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