Darkness lurks in a farm house where a family reunites as the father is slowly dying in his own bed. As things start going weirder and darker, the family has to decide if they want to stay and face the darkness or run and avoid themselves.
Written and directed by Bryan Bertino, The Dark and the Wicked takes on the issues of declining physical and mental health and how it affects family and loved ones while also involving creepiness and some potential supernatural elements. The film created here is one of those slower one with a story that takes its time and very few to no jump scares. It’s the mother of all slow burn films here, but there are some genuinely creepy moments throughout so it makes it something more than just slowly passing time. The film here makes the most of these creepy moments and the story becomes more interesting through them. Now, given some of the themes, it will be difficult to not compare this film to other films with similar themes that have come out this year in the horror genre and while Relic remains the top contender for best family reunion in a creepy location with a relative who is slowly dying, this is a decent effort in the sub-genre or style. The story moves very slowly and needs to be paid attention to, so it’s best to watch this one when not tired and ready to take it on.
The case of this film is strong and they all deliver great performances with Julie Oliver-Touchstone as the mother giving the most poignant performance of the all. Her work here is strong, with nuances and plenty of heart. She gives something here that is amazing to watch and of which the viewer is left wanting more as she is definitely not the one with the most time on screen. Playing the two leads are Marin Ireland and Michael Abbott Jr who both deliver really strong performances. They carry the film and make it work no matter what happens on the screen. They work together well and their exchanges look natural within the boundaries of what is happening around them.
Another strong aspect to The Dark and the Wicked is the visual one. The film looks fantastic, even in the darkness, something that is not easy to achieve. The cinematography by Tristan Nyby is what gives the film its visual strength, making it more than just a creepy story, giving the images layers and layers of things to look at and of moods to feel.
The Dark and the Wicked is a film that requires patience, but is worth sticking to for fans of slow burn stories with creepy elements. It makes great use of family dynamics and the anguish that comes for a loved one slowly dying. It’s a decent entry in the sub-genre, but it does feel a touch too long even as a slow burn film. It’s one of those films that would work best late at night, in the dark with silence around to truly absorb its elements, but due to its slowness, it’s best watch when fully awake so probably an afternoon watch for most viewers.