Dark Was the Night (2014 film)

Dark Was the Night (2014) Film Poster

Dark Was the Night is a 2014 American horror film directed by Jack Heller and written by Tyler Hisel. The film stars Kevin Durand, Lukas Haas, and Bianca Kajlich. It premiered at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival on October 16, 2014, and was later released in theaters and on video on demand on July 24, 2015.

Plot

The story is set in the small, isolated town of Maiden Woods, where a logging company has recently begun operations in the nearby forest. The logging activity disturbs a mysterious creature that begins to terrorize the town. Kevin Durand plays Sheriff Paul Shields, who is struggling with personal demons and the recent separation from his wife, Susan, played by Bianca Kajlich. Alongside his deputy, Donny Saunders, played by Lukas Haas, Sheriff Shields must confront the creature and protect the townspeople.

Cast

• Kevin Durand as Sheriff Paul Shields
• Lukas Haas as Deputy Donny Saunders
• Bianca Kajlich as Susan Shields
• Nick Damici as Earl
• Ethan Khusidman as Adam Shields
• Heath Freeman as Steve

Production

The film was shot in Southold, New York, and the surrounding areas. The production aimed to create a tense and atmospheric horror experience, drawing inspiration from classic creature features and psychological horror films. The creature design was kept largely hidden to build suspense and fear through suggestion rather than explicit visuals.

Reception

Dark Was the Night received mixed to positive reviews from critics. It was praised for its atmosphere, performances, and tension, though some critics felt the film's pacing was slow and the creature reveal was underwhelming. The film holds a rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score on Metacritic.

Themes

The film explores themes of grief, guilt, and redemption, as Sheriff Shields grapples with his past and the loss of his son. The creature serves as a metaphor for the unseen and unresolved issues that haunt the characters.

See also

• Creature feature
• Psychological horror
• List of horror films of 2014

External links

Dark Was the Night at IMDb

Dark Was the Night at Rotten Tomatoes