The Dark and the Wicked (2020) Review – A Bleak and Sentimental Family Haunting
The Dark and the Wicked: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A relentlessly grim and atmospheric supernatural thriller that manages to be both a touching family drama and a chilling ghost story. The Dark and the Wicked succeeds primarily through its crushing sense of hopelessness and the fantastic performances of its leads, Marin Ireland and Michael Abbott Jr. While the narrative follows a somewhat familiar path of haunted house tropes, Bryan Bertino infuses the proceedings with a “Lifetime movie” level of emotional weight that makes the characters’ plight feel deeply personal. This 3 star effort is occasionally let down by a few lacklustre jump scares and a physical antagonist that feels somewhat misplaced, but the excellent cinematography and steady pacing keep the tension high throughout. It is a slow-burning experience that prioritises mood over monsters, culminating in an ending that is as grimly fitting as it is divisive. If you have the patience for a horror movie that demands an emotional investment, this rural nightmare is well worth the visit.
Details: Director: Bryan Bertino | Cast: Marin Ireland, Michael Abbott Jr., Julie Oliver-Touchstone | Runtime: 1h 35m | Release Date: 2020
Best for: Fans of slow-burn psychological horror, viewers who enjoy “bleak” rural settings, and those who appreciate character-driven supernatural stories.
Worth noting: The film was shot on Bryan Bertino’s own family farm in Texas, which likely contributes to the authentic and organic feeling of the domestic interactions.
Where to Watch: Shudder, Amazon🛒
Rating: 3/5 Stars
(A dark and atmospheric supernatural horror that overcomes its generic setup with strong acting and a powerful sense of domestic dread.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we will be reviewing a bit of an unusual horror – Brian Bertino‘s The Dark and the Wicked.
Table of Contents
Slow burning horror drama
Written and directed by Brian Bertino of The Strangers fame, this is one of those movies you read positive reviews for and like the sound of. Settle down to watch before realising your opinion doesn’t quite seem to fit with other people’s.
“You go into this movie expecting bumps in the night and sightings of shadowy figures. While you do get all of that, you also get a whole bunch of family drama and character development.”
The Dark and the Wicked follows the story of Louise and her brother Michael. They have a somewhat complicated relationship with their family farm. Their father is dying and Louise is away from home much of the time, leaving him with their mum. Intending to say their final goodbyes, it isn’t long before the pair realise that the house hides a sordid past.
As you can probably tell, this is fairly standard horror stuff. A familiar haunted house setup doesn’t conjure up much in the imagination department. You go into this movie expecting bumps in the night and sightings of shadowy figures.
While you do get all of that with The Dark and the Wicked, you also get a whole bunch of family drama and character development. In fact, I would go as far as to say that there is a Lifetime Movies/Hallmark quality to The Dark and the Wicked. The horror is content to sit in the back seat as the story develops.
Definitely not for all horror fans
While slow-paced horror isn’t a bad thing, I do like to bring attention to this approach. It is, most definitely, not for everyone. These movies sometimes offer more than they can deliver when it comes to scares. The slow burn style is designed to brew the tension gradually. If the tension is never realised, the horror aspect fades away completely.
The Dark and the Wicked does a pretty good job of avoiding that fate. There is a palpable sense of tension and foreboding throughout. It never really manages to deliver on the visual front, though. This is something we will get into later.
The story here is the main focus and it is a familiar one. Louise and Michael seem to be somewhat distant. We learn that Louise is away from home much of the time. The siblings are dealing with their father’s waning health. Their mother seems to be going through the usual things grieving spouses go through. It is clear she could use their influence and that they care deeply about her.
The Dark and the Wicked places relatable familial issues under the microscope. We see the siblings’ relationship grow and develop. They work through their issues and learn more about each other. It is sentimental and rather touching.
“The slow burn style is designed to brew the tension gradually. If the tension is never realised, the horror aspect fades away completely. This movie does a pretty good job of avoiding that fate.”
Their interactions feel very organic and the scenario feels believable. While not typical of horror, the engaging story makes the pair easy to root for. You want to see them succeed. You want them to overcome the tribulations thrown at them by life and the house.
A few effective scares
The scares come by way of errant reflections in windows and mirrors. The pair hear tapping on the walls and creaks in the room. On top of this, there are strange issues with the house’s heating and electrical supply. It’s fairly standard stuff for haunted house horror. A neighbour who has lived in the area for a long time warns the pair.
He is aware of the history of the house and offers exposition — a reason for the viewer to engage in the characters’ fear. The result is pretty effective. The setups to the scares here are well done. It’s easy to buy into the characters’ apprehension around the house. Diligent viewers will also be rewarded for watching the backgrounds. It’s not until the movie presents us with a physical antagonist that it starts to come undone.
The Dark and the Wicked‘s attempts at being a full blown horror don’t really work. The low budget and questionable character design choices undermine the level of threat. A farcical attempt at making a, rather normal looking, person scary baffles. Did someone look at this character and actually think it worked? The result looks like something out of a British comedy series. Jump scare attempts are fairly lacklustre. It’s somewhat disappointing and adds to the feeling of the horror being an afterthought.
Plenty to praise
There is plenty to praise here, though. Acting is fantastic throughout. Marin Ireland, as Louise, and Michael Abbott Jr., as Michael, are both great. They have a believable and relatable sibling dynamic and both feel very natural. Greg Naughton, as neighbour Louis, has some decent moments of interesting plot building. It’s all just, generally, really well done. Cinematography is excellent, especially given the low budget. I felt the 2:1 aspect ratio fit well. Shots are allowed to linger and the camera is not at all antsy.
Pacing is okay, though things do drag a bit in the final third. The movie is nicely directed with some clever shots and solid continuity. By the final 20 minutes the movie is in full domestic drama swing. we know the characters well and the plot starts to give way to a little more horror.
“Excellent acting, an engaging story and some effective tension make it worth a watch. It slips up when it tries too hard to scare the viewer, but there is a decent movie here.”
The final parts of the movie offer a few effectively creepy scenes. They also have their fair share of ridiculous ones that feel very out of place. The movie’s sentimental, non-typical ending may leave a few people unsatisfied. It feels grimly fitting, though, after the journey we shared with Louise and Michael.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Lead Performances: Marin Ireland and Michael Abbott Jr. provide a believable and grounded sibling dynamic that serves as the film’s emotional anchor.
- Atmospheric Tension: The movie excels at creating a palpable sense of foreboding and dread through its quiet, isolated farmhouse setting.
- Cinematography: The 2:1 aspect ratio and lingering shots give the film a polished, high-quality look that belies its lower budget.
The Bad
- Creature Design: The attempt to create a frightening physical antagonist falls flat, resulting in a character that looks more comical than terrifying.
- Lacklustre Jump Scares: Several of the film’s attempts at traditional shocks feel uninspired and fail to deliver the intended impact.
- Generic Elements: Despite the emotional weight, the film still relies heavily on standard haunted house clichés that fans of the genre have seen many times before.
The Ugly: The Relentless Bleakness. The film is so committed to its grim tone that it may prove exhausting for viewers looking for even a single shred of hope.
Should You Watch The Dark and the Wicked?
Yes, if you enjoy slow-burners. It is a 3 star film that offers a strong emotional core. While it doesn’t always hit the mark with its horror elements, the atmosphere and acting make it a compelling watch for those who prefer their supernatural thrillers with a side of family tragedy. Just don’t expect to feel particularly happy when the credits roll.
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