Between The Darkness

Between The Darkness is a compelling and suspenseful thriller with a supernatural edge that premiered in 2019. Directed by Andres Rovira, the movie stars renowned actors such as Lew Temple, Danielle Harris, and Nicole Moorea Sherman. The movie captivates viewers as it blends elements of mystery, horror, and suspense.

The story unfolds following the captivating character arc of a young teenage girl named Sprout Grady, performed brilliantly by Nicole Moorea Sherman. The mourning Grady family, torn apart by the loss of their mother, retreats to their summer home for a much-needed reprieve. The setting, a secluded lake house shrouded in deep woods, fosters an eerie atmosphere that starts feeding the narrative's unease right from the outset. Sprout, the curious and strong-willed protagonist, finds herself navigating this emotional landscape fraught with family complexities while also dealing with the prickly cusp of adolescence.

A whole new texture is added to the narrative by the remarkable Lew Temple's portrayal of Whelan, a disturbing yet charismatic neighbor. Temple's standout performance breathes life into the character and heightens the overall tension of the plot. Danielle Harris, known for her roles in horror classics, portrays the increasingly unstable older sister Percy with nuanced conviction.

As the plot unravels, the family's vacation quickly turns spiraling into a terrifying ordeal. A palpably ominous presence hangs heavily in the summer air, suffusing their every moment. Darkness falls, and inexplicable and bizarre occurrences begin. Slow realization dawns on Sprout that the mysterious events that unfold each night may not just be figments of her active imagination. The film grabs the audience's attention right away, utilizing the isolation of the lake house to its full advantage.

The ambiance of Between The Darkness is elevated by the beautifully haunting cinematography. The lush greenery and calm waters surrounding the family's vacation home offer breathtaking visuals while also dually serving as a chilling backdrop for the eerie happenings. The camera work strategically manipulates light and shadow creating moments that are subtly terrifying and powerfully impactful. The movie’s limited yet well-utilized setting adds a sense of intensity and claustrophobia that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Between The Darkness expertly delves into the raw emotions of loss, confusion, and despair. The strong bond between the sisters acts as an anchor in the stormy sea of supernatural and real-life horrors. Themes of family, adolescence, and growing up punctuate the movie, adding depth to the storyline while grounding the fantastical elements in stark reality.

Character development is a critical component of the movie with nuanced performances and well-drawn characters that feel authentic and relatable. The narrative tension is masterfully sustained by virtuoso performances and carefully explicated character dynamics.

Between The Darkness showcases the genre of supernatural-thriller at its best – luring viewers into a beautifully somber world of mysterious symbols, nocturnal creatures, unsettling whispers, and a forbidding whispering woodland. Rovira's success lies in combining these horror elements with substantive human situations creating a film that is not only eerie but also emotionally resonant.

The film artfully balances the narrative's supernatural underpinnings with the exploration of human emotion through effective storytelling, nerve-wracking suspense, and superb characterizations. It holds us captive in an experience that continually oscillates between the chilling and profoundly emotional. As the title indicates, Between The Darkness positions itself in the murky waters between the ordinary and the extraordinary, the seen and unseen, and the living and the dead.

Overall, Between The Darkness is a gripping, psychological horror film underscored by intense emotions and profound themes. It compels us to look beyond the veil of ordinary life into the unfathomable abyss that awaits just beyond, nested inside the very heart of darkness. This film will undoubtedly leave you with a lingering sense of unease and a newfound questioning of the reality of things that go bump in the night.