PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Some films haunt you long after they’re over. They stick with you and leave you wanting to watch it again. The new supernatural thriller, The Dark and the Wicked was that film for me. After giving it a second watch, I fell even more in love with this haunting and captivating story. This film was written and directed by Bryan Bertino and stars Marin Ireland, Michael Abbott Jr. (read our interview with him – HERE), Julie Oliver-Touchstone, and Xander Berkeley.
Synopsis for The Dark and the Wicked
On a secluded farm, a man is slowly dying. Bedridden and fighting through his final breaths, his wife is slowly succumbing to overwhelming grief. To help their mother and say goodbye to their father, siblings Louise (Marin Ireland) and Michael (Michael Abbott Jr.) return to their family farm. It doesn’t take long for them to see that something’s wrong with mom, though—something more than her heavy sorrow. Gradually, as their own grief mounts, Louise and Michael begin suffering from a darkness similar to their mother’s, marked by waking nightmares and a growing sense that something evil is taking over their family.
The Dark and the Wicked has become one of my favorite films of the year. This film delivered on all aspects including a haunting and unique supernatural story, phenomenal performances, beautiful cinematography, and an anxiety-ridden and frightening atmosphere that ties everything together perfectly.
All of the performances were memorable and emotionally groundbreaking. As I mentioned before, Marin Ireland, Michael Abbott Jr., Julie Oliver-Touchstone, and Xander Berkeley all equally worked together to create a haunting, spellbinding, and nightmarish experience that’s riveting and award-worthy. The film wouldn’t have been the same without these powerful performances.
With each viewing of this film, I was left feeling more haunted and uncomfortable than the last. There are several scenes throughout the film that capture how truly horrifying and gut-wrenching this story was. Not many films can portray and deliver genuine fear and panic successfully, but this one executes it perfectly. A nightmare fueled experience that can be compared to other films like The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror.
If you enjoy interviews with the cast and crew, there’s a Q&A with Martin Ireland and Michael Abbot Jr. from Fantasia 2020 on the DVD and Blu-ray. It will give you a deeper insight into the film and what inspired it all.
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend checking The Dark and the Wicked out and experiencing this film for yourself. It’s hauntingly beautiful and delivers on all aspects. RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, along with Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium service for horror, thriller, and the supernatural, will release the horror film The Dark and the Wicked is now available on DVD for an SRP of $27.97 and on Blu-ray for an SRP of $28.96.
