Cast
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Crew
Director
- Jay Woelfel
Writer
- Jay Woelfel
Reviews
Wuchak
**_It’s, um, creative_**
A murderer (Nick Baldasare), who has been assigned to a mental institution after being declared “not guilty by reason of insanity,” escapes the state hospital and assumes the identity of another man. Curiously, the man’s wife accepts him (Amanda Howell) and the hallucinatory story proceeds from there.
“Asylum of Darkness” (2013) was originally called “Season of Darkness” when it was screened at a festival, but the distributor adjusted the title for its 2017 release. It was written, scored and directed by Jay Woelfel for $200,000, shot in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Despite the micro-budget, it’s artistic in its depiction of reality from the delusional mind of an insane person. The old school practical effects are mostly effective, but sometimes cartoonish and goofy.
It's technically superior to Woelfel’s spare-change budgeted “Ghost Story” (2004); and the story is more compelling compared to his “Closed for the Season” (2010). Unfortunately, it’s overlong and Tiffany Shepis’ role is too small; she should’ve played the wife IMHO.
However, if you like artsy indies and are patient, you’ll probably find something to appreciate. It's too puzzling for my tastes, but at least it’s different.
Richard Hatch and Tim Thomerson appear in peripheral roles. It runs 1 hours, 57 minutes.
GRADE: C
Mar 16, 2025
Thematic Analysis
This Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Asylum of Darkness presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by blending supernatural elements with realistic human reactions.
Director Jay Woelfel brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2012, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Asylum of Darkness took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 117 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 149 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 13 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
- The film contains approximately 1953 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 2012, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Asylum of Darkness shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Dust Devil, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Asylum of Darkness subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Blair Witch Project and Ring explore similar territory, Asylum of Darkness stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 7, 2012
- Runtime: 1h 57m
