Dark Was the Night

Synopsis

Dark Was the Night is a 2014 horror thriller centered on Sheriff Paul Shields, played by Kevin Durand, who investigates a series of mysterious disappearances in a small, eerie town in Maine. As the community grapples with fear and confusion, Paul unravels terrifying secrets lurking in the surrounding wilderness. The film combines atmospheric tension with moments of suspense and supernatural elements, weaving a narrative about confronting unknown horrors. With a moody, slow-burn style, Dark Was the Night explores themes of survival, family, and the primal fear of darkness, creating a chilling experience grounded in character-driven storytelling.

Cast

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  Kevin Durand

  Paul Shields

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  Lukas Haas

  Donny Saunders

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  Bianca Kajlich

  Susan Shields

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  Ethan Khusidman

  Adam Shields

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  Nick Damici

  Earl

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  Sabina Gadecki

  Clair

Reviews

Critical reception of Dark Was the Night was mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 55% approval rating, reflecting a divide among critics. Some reviewers praised the movie's atmospheric tension and Kevin Durand's committed performance, noting that it effectively builds a sense of dread and unease. For example, some critics highlighted the film's moody cinematography and the gradual escalation of suspense as strengths. However, others criticized the pacing as overly slow and felt that the storyline lacked originality. The Metacritic score stands at 40 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reviews where the film was described as an uneven horror outing that failed to fully capitalize on its premise. IMDb users gave it an average rating of 5.6/10, suggesting that audience reactions were similarly mixed, with some appreciating its creepy ambiance, while others found it lacking in scares and narrative depth. Overall, Dark Was the Night is acknowledged for its atmospheric qualities but noted for shortcomings in pacing and storyline innovation.