Cast
View AllCrew
Director
- Mikey McGregor
Producer
- Cynthia Bravo
Reviews
Key-Si
"Hide In The Light" is your typical -young people go to an abandoned haunted place (in this case an orphanage) to get picked off by whatever one by one- and for what it was going for, this movie is actually quite fine. The Eric Robers makes a little cameo in this, shouldn't be the driving force to watch this though, because he's in it for about one minute only. But Jessie James is also a quite recognizable name by now. The acting here isn't great, but it works for the film and here and there there is really some fun to be had. My biggest gripe is the portrayal of the demon. Because it is not shown. Instead you get a CGI effect as if you'd be looking through a thick glass. Transparent, not scary at all and it looks just bad. 'Amanda' (KylieRae Condon) as the creepy kid was pretty good I must say. I liked her performance. This would almost be a good movie, if they wouldn't have used cheap effects like that. Even black smoke would have been much more convincing than what we've got here. Granted, when it comes to first time directors, Mikey McGregor is by far not the worst. But some more experience would have helped the film a lot! But all in all I liked it. And that already means something, because most of the films with that premise are films I didn't like. Yes, this was low budget as well, but I can appreciate the effort and as I already said, there were a few moments I really had fun with "Hide In The Light". The character building was also done quite well. Especially with so many characters the film managed to flesh out at least most of the important ones, which is rare with films of this particular sub-genre.
Aug 26, 2019
Kamurai
Decent watch at best, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend unless it is for a Bad Movie Night.
I was so happy it wasn't the movie where they play flashlight in a graveyard and invite a ghost to play, but that momentum quickly faded.
It's like "As Above, So Below" and "Pitch Black" had a rather boring baby movie.
Don't get me wrong, the premise is good: girl is linked to a demon that hides in the dark, but can physically hunt down and rip people apart. Plenty of potential to hold up to either of the parents, and thank goodness they didn't do this as found footage.
With the merry band of idiots, I don't think I liked any of them as characters, to throw as fodder to a demon I was expecting to be excited about it getting them, but I just didn't care at all.
The effect work was amazingly good compared to the rest of the movie, so they definitely prioritized what they thought would be their pivotal moments on the spread sheet at least.
Honestly, go watch "As Above, So Below" and then "Pitch Black", then the rest of the "Riddick" series, then you can come back and watch this.
Feb 4, 2021
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Thriller/Mystery film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Hide in the Light presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Mikey McGregor 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 2018, 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 Hide in the Light took approximately 33 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 78 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 122 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Hide in the Light shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Cleansing Hour, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Hide in the Light offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Exorcist and The Hills Have Eyes 2 explore similar territory, Hide in the Light stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 21, 2018
- Runtime: 1h 18m