Rent Darkness Wakes (2017)

Stick with it! - Darkness Wakes review by NP

The cons: the ‘odd’ couple, especially Richard Kilgour as Mr. Farrow, make what might kindly be described as bizarre acting choices, and they are amongst the very first characters we meet. Later on, in context, their OTT melodrama has more meaning, but to open a film with these two proves a major stumbling block.

The pros: everything that follows is hugely effective and on occasion, genuinely frightening. Jump scares, so often and repetitively featured in such films, actually do their job here. The main antagonist is extremely creepy, made all the more so because the camera only allows us fleeting glimpses of him.

The cast provide competent performances throughout, but Aisling Knight carries the whole thing beautifully as Charlotte. Her journey is made compelling due to the performance, even when the characters choices are – typical of horror films – not always wise.

Director and writer Simon Richardson has put together a terrific story here. There are enough revelations and intrigue to keep things compelling, but the whole thing is also directed very well, making the most of the darkness and the stunning locations.

Some online reviews have been unnecessarily harsh on this film, I think. Perhaps the theatricalities of some early scenes put people off. My advice – stick with it. ‘Darkness Wakes’ gets better and better as it rolls along. I had a great time watching it. My score is 9 out of 10.