Cast
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Crew
Director
- Bryan Bertino
Producer
- Bryan Bertino
- Adrienne Biddle
- Sonny Mallhi
- Kevin Matusow
Reviews
Repo Jack
I was excited to see Bryan Bertino's latest offering. "The Strangers" was an interesting classic introducing masked home invaders in the most unsettling of ways. "The Monster" was a better-than-expected as an estranged mother and daughter are stranded in their car in the woods while being stalked by a monster.
"Wicked's" Rotten Tomatoes/Metacritic score was a solid (90%/72) and user reviews were ok (3.2 on IMDB). But for me, it fell completely flat as I kept waiting for something to connect the disparate disturbing scenes and story-line together.
Many movies try to tease the viewer with unreliable narrators, leaving them to ponder whether what is happening is supernatural or all in the characters head. "The Babadook," "Black Swan," and "The Lighthouse" are examples of movies that do this right. Unfortunately, this doesn't.
It's clearly something supernatural that is haunting everybody but beyond some gory and violent scenes (all of which are well done), the movie is just too ambiguous in a very frustrating way.
Nov 9, 2020
Repo Jack
I was excited to check out Bryan Bertino's latest offering, "The Dark and the WIcked." His debut, "The Strangers," was an instant classic introducing masked home invaders in the most unsettling of ways. His followup, "The Monster," was well-crafted as an estranged mother and daughter get stranded in their car in the woods while being stalked by a monster.
It was ultimately disappointing as there was nothing to connect the disparate creepy happenings to the story-line.
Many movies try to tease the viewer with unreliable narrators, leaving them to ponder whether what is happening is supernatural or all in the characters head. "The Babadook," "Black Swan," and "The Lighthouse" are examples of movies that do this right. Unfortunately, this doesn't.
It's clearly something supernatural haunting everybody, but beyond some disturbing and/or violent scenes (all of which are well done), the movie is just too ambiguous in a very frustrating way.
Nov 9, 2020
SWITCH.
The scariest new film that I've seen in 2020, 'The Dark and the Wicked' is well-crafted, moodily evocative, and best watched through one's fingers.
- Jake Watt
Read Jake's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-the-dark-and-the-wicked-2020s-scariest-film
Nov 18, 2020
yahyaharyantoo
> _loved this one_
let's start with the poster. I expected some red vibes like from "_evil dead_" something. but turns out, it's showed a _dark sepia tone_ which works. it's been a while since I was gasped and terrified for a horror movie.
the sound and music are effective. I mean, this horror built by this sound. not like a creepy orchestra, but a chaotic chromatic sound. _beautiful and terrifying._
my interpretation is we should learn to let go of our loved ones. when the priest said:
> "the devil is already here"
yes, it's there because you still cling to your loved ones. to let go is not to deny but to accept. to let go is to fear less and love more. I'm sorry if you find this overanalyze.
Jan 5, 2021
Jack
The film is all about madness at best. Main characters lose their mind and we watch their hallucinations. All the religious references in the film leads to nowhere. The film has a few good jump scares and quite a good beginning which makes you think the rest of the film is going to get somewhere. Unfortunately it doesn’t. **I wouldn’t watch it again, nor would I make my friends watch it**.
Apr 5, 2021
Thematic Analysis
This Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Dark and the Wicked presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Bryan Bertino 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 2020, 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 The Dark and the Wicked took approximately 4 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 95 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 134 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The costume department created over 144 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2020, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Dark and the Wicked 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 Call, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Dark and the Wicked subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Scanners and The Exorcist explore similar territory, The Dark and the Wicked 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: April 16, 2020
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Revenue: $736,153
Where to Watch
