Directed by:
Bryan BertinoScreenplay:
Bryan BertinoCinematography:
Tristan NybyComposer:
Tom SchraederCast:
Marin Ireland, Michael Abbott Jr., Xander Berkeley, Lynn Andrews, Tom Nowicki, Ella Ballentine, Chris DoubekVOD (4)
Plots(1)
On a secluded farm, a man is bedridden and fighting through his final breaths while his wife slowly succumbs to overwhelming grief. Siblings Louise and Michael 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. (Acorn Media UK)
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Reviews (4)
On the one hand, a very simple story, and an awfully unoriginal one. On the other hand, if you are in the right mood, it’s also very effective, atmospheric and fucking scary at times. After a long time, I felt unpleasantly shocked by a couple of scenes, it’s clear that Bryan Bertino didn’t deserve to be written off after two weak films. I don’t want to hype it too much, it’s not always as scary as it would like to be (using naked old people was cool a couple of years ago, but now it’s been used so often that it doesn’t scare anymore) and the ending is too abrupt, but this year hasn’t produced many comparable films in the field of horror. It’s not Hereditary level, but it’s going in the right direction.
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A dark, atmospheric, nerve-wracking and very distinctive film that goes straight to the point without the slightest bit of filler around it. It's got the feel of Shyamalan's The Visit and an atmosphere like from an Ari Aster film, and it is further aided by a solid creepy soundtrack, dark cinematography and the setting in a remote rundown cottage. The characters are not just two silly buffoons, but the are quite skillfully built, something you don't see that often in this subgenre. It's striking, chilling, occasionally scary, and at times gives us some fine jump-scares, but I still feel that compared to the work of the aforementioned masters of atmosphere, it's "just" a about a family being haunted by a demon in a house, with no deeper point or conclusion that would stick in my mind. That said, given that this subgenre is a scarce commodity and for the (after a long time finally!!) decadent finale, I'll throw in that reluctant fourth star.
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The Dark and the Wicked and Evil! Bryan Bertino, famous for his 2008 debut The Strangers, sadly didn't make another good film for another twelve years, but now it looks like he's back in the game. In terms of story, the film is nothing new, but the novel and ugly setting of a creepy farm makes it feel fresh and above all uncomfortable. The film makes do with just a couple of characters and a dying father in bed, spending a week on location with him. It will divide audiences into two camps as there is a lack of scares and the pace is very slow, on the other hand, patient and discerning viewers will be duly rewarded. The atmosphere of the whole film is uncompromisingly disturbing and evil, to the characters and the viewer. The soundtrack is really top notch, it manages to get under your skin, though I have to agree that the phone ringing can be quite annoying after a long time. There's a bit of blood in the finale, and I won't forget the goat running without a leg either. A chilling, distressing, uncomfortable, disturbing and above all solidly made piece. The horror stats have improved significantly towards the end of the year. Story***, Action>No, Humor>No, Violence***, Entertainment****, Music*****, Visuals****, Atmosphere*****, Suspense****. 8/10.
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Amazing. Farmageddon like the Czech song rutyšuty Arizona Texas – a physically awkward, economical, atmospheric horror lightly working with the motif of evil. In essence, this is a psychological drama about the exhausting closeness of death and that mothers are the instrument of Satan. Neurotic sound design, beautiful pans of Tristan Nyby's camera and uplifting scenes of slicing carrots and making phone calls to the grave. Horror movie of the year. I am adding Bertin to my death list.
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Gallery (26)
Photo © RLJE Films
![The Dark and the Wicked - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/165/493/165493152_374f9a.jpg)
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