A Dark Song follows Sophia, a grieving woman whose young son was taken from her, and occultist Joseph, who will perform a gruelling ritual to allow her to speak to him again. Although Joseph is offering her the one thing she wants, he is a troubled man with a short-temper, and Sophia becomes concerned that this ritual may not even work at all.
Written and directed by Liam Gavin, this is one of the more impressive and confident debuts I have seen and a tantalising start to his career. Gavins direction betrays his boldness with its perfectionism and attention to detail, as he deliberately keeps his audience in the dark in terms of the supernatural ambiguity of the narrative. There are no jump scares, indulgent gore or shaky camerawork that a lot of horror films use to pretend that theyre actually scary. A Dark Song breaks with the modern horror cliches and relies on his masterfully created atmosphere to set a truly terrifying experience.
The script is brilliant as well, with the incredible depth given to the two characters providing a strong emotional core, adding an extra dynamic to the already palpable sense of dread. The dialogue is authentic and often quite insightful, making the audience feel like we are flies on the wall, observing these two very real people dabble with something potentially dangerous. Gavin smartly keeps the audience unaware of the purpose of a lot of these strange rituals; we learn as Sophia learns, and are just as immersed, afraid, and perplexed as she is. The most effective thing, though, is that these two characters are, essentially, very normal. Joseph isnt an eccentric lunatic and Sophia isnt gullible and unreasonably headstrong like a lot of female characters in horror films are. They are both just human beings struggling with lifes problems and A Dark Song is all the more effective for it as we experience the proceedings through their eyes.
The production design in this is superb, with every room in the house dripping with menace and the bleak and groggy exteriors of the surrounding countryside ensuring a intensely claustrophobic atmosphere. The restrained use of the religious iconography and paraphernalia is perfectly captured by the subtle and controlled camerawork that uses extended still-shots rather than kinetic manoeuvring. The sound design is also perfect, with Ray Harmans ominous soundtrack complementing the spine-chilling visuals and using complete silence when it counts, making for some horrifically tense sequences.
Although the relationship between Sophia and Joseph is one of the most compelling aspects of the film, this is very much Sophias journey, as its her suffering this ritual is supposed to be alleviating. Forced to submit to every demand Joseph throws at her and exploited at every opportunity, these cruel commands coupled with the initial uneventfulness of the ritual leaves her spiritually and physically broken, all the more easy for Joseph to further take advantage of her. Actress Catherine Walker portrays this role with bruising vulnerability and she is an emotional powerhouse. Steve Oram as Joseph Solomon is the stern, abrasive, outspoken opposite to Sophias quiet sensitivity. He oozes a hidden bitterness that gives A Dark Song yet another vicious edge. His performance is energetic and confrontational, but never exaggerated. Its thanks to both of these fantastic performances that make sure the film remains authentic and natural.
A Dark Song is a disturbing, clever, nail-bitingly tense horror movie that feels like it was made by a veteran. Passion bleeds from every frame, and its not only a masterwork of genre craftsmanship but also of sorrowful storytelling. Utterly unique and daring, you wont find another movie that uses religious and supernatural themes quite like this one. Without hyperbole, Im willing to say that this was the most terrified I have been watching a movie in the last decade.
An absolutely petrifying, bone-chilling, hauntingly sinister horror movie with some of the most dreadful atmospheres I have ever experienced, A Dark Song is also one of the best movies I have seen in many years. The direction and craftsmanship is immaculate, the tense pacing elevates the claustrophobia, and the entire film is filled with striking imagery. This bizarre but audacious film deserves to go down as one of the most memorable pieces of cinema that the horror genre has produced in a long while.
More:
FILM REVIEW: A Dark Song (2017) - 'A Nail-Bitingly Tense Horror Movie' - Cultured Vultures
- The 10 Greatest Horror Movie Music Themes - FEARnet [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2010]
- BD Horror News - The Most Overused Horror Movie Dialogue in History! [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- The Moon is a Dead World: The Noose #1: relevant horror news [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2011]
- Horror Movie II… Obama Likely to Launch 2012 Campaign Next Week ... [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2011]
- Listing Of Common Horror Motion pictures » Free Article ... [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2011]
- 8 Classic Bollywood Horror Movie Posters [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2011]
- Top 10 Horror Movie Villians - eBookNewser [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2011]
- Friday Night Trailer - 80's Horror Movie Remake! | RadioPlanet.tv ... [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2011]
- Free download horror Video Movies: Download free horror movie The ... [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2011]
- Found Footage Horror Movie #2382 | CHUD.com [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2011]
- Download Amityville Horror Movie : Film Actors | Twanz.com [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Soft For Digging (2001) [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Billy Loves Stu: Horror Movie DILF : The Car [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Charlie Bit My Finger: The Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: More glorious short-film ... [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: A Serbian Film (2010) [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Cannes Film Festival - Horror Movie To Debut Online -- And It's Free [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- HORROR MOVIE TO DEBUT ONLINE — AND IT'S FREE | Studio Briefing [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: PRIEST 3D [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- The Vampire Review: Horror Movie That Leaves You Laughing ... [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Ritual [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Classic horror movie scene- Demons 2 | www.horrorreporter.com [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Debuts on BitTorrent and TV Simultaneously: Online ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Steel Revenge 3(Club Penguin Horror Movie) – The Final Chapter ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- The Chronicles of Horror Movie Night: THE ABOMINATION (1986 ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Steel Revenge 4(Club Penguin Horror Movie) – A New Beginning ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Rob Zombie Plots Next Album, Talks 'Lords of Salem' Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Laura Posada, Wife Of Yankees Compares Yankee Drama To 'Horror ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Laura Posada Compares Yankee Drama To ‘Horror Movie’ [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 01 [05.03.09] (en) 3/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- PMS: The Horror Movie - Film Riot [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: The Wailer II (La Llorona II) (2007) [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Hellraiser: Bloodline [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Upcoming Horror Movie Releases: Final Destination 5's Trailer ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 03 [05.17.09] (en) 4/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- New Horror Movie Series Shock Theater to Deliver Monthly Fright [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- English Horror Movie Lobby Cards (Zombos' Closet) [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- More English Horror Movie Lobby Cards (Zombos' Closet) [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 05 [06.07.09] (en) 4/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 06 [06.14.09] (en) 4/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Homemade HORROR MOVIE (the midday horror) | Pentagon Directory [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- SHINee Onew have no reaction while watching Horror Movie « Korea.com [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Caffeinated Joe: Day 19: A horror movie that gives you nightmares [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Children Of The Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995) [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Art Of The Devil (2005) Thailand horror movie DVDRip - abbiee's blog [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Youth Horror Movie Trailer Competition happening now | Haliwood ... [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Youth Horror Movie Trailer Competition happening now [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- The Sims Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Scariest Horror Movie Scenes (Volume 1) [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 02 [05.10.09] (en) 3/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Dismal 2009 DVDRiP XviD-horror movie scary - alisonb's blog [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Uncle Buck Horror Movie Trailer [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Mr Bean - Watching a horror movie [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: ARACHNOPHOBIA [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- ROOHANI TAAQAT (HORROR MOVIE) – PART 1 | www.horrorreporter.com [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: Free and awesome: THE ... [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: Bye! [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- WOH PHIR AAYEGI (HORROR MOVIE) – PART 1 | www.horrorreporter.com [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Speculative Book Review: Korean Alien/Leviathan Hybrid Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Download Hood of Horror Movie : Online Movie | Twanz.com [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Download Hood of Horror Movie : Full In High Quality » Easy Web ... [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Download Hood of Horror Movie : Film In Hd | Science News Articles [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Killing Spree [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Watch Art Of The Devil 2 Online (Thai Horror Movie) | Jezonhamster [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Horror movie [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Download The Last Horror Movie Movie : Hi-def Quality » Easy Web ... [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Horror Movie Reviews: When A Stranger Calls (2006) & The House of ... [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- 0 - Dead Derrick's Horror Movie Reviews [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Download The Amityville Horror Movie » Website Articles Online [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Download Hot Rod Horror Movie : Hi-def Quality » JMZ4.com [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Horror Movie Montage (Beat made with FL Studio). | www ... [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- 100 Horror Movie Spoilers in 5 Minutes [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Dearborn High horror movie to be screened this week [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- Man busted for masturbating on flight [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2011]
- Dan Collins: Rudy Giuliani's Endless Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2011]
- Amar'e Stoudemire Producing Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2011]
- Daily TWiP - Horror movie villain Vincent Price is born today in 1911 [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2011]
- Daily TWiP - Horror movie villain Vincent Price is born today in ... [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2011]
- TV Q&A with David Inman [Last Updated On: May 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 29th, 2011]
- Hilarious 1970s Horror Movie Trailers [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]