Dark August

Dark August is an intriguing low-budget psychological horror movie released in 1976 that blends elements of the supernatural with the traditional trappings of Thriller genre. The film showcases the impressive acting talent of Kim Hunter, J.J. Barry, and Carolyne Barry, who bring the intense, distressing, and chilling moments of the story to life.

The film opens by introducing us to Sal Devito (J.J. Barry), a disheartened big city man who shifts to an isolated rural area looking for peace and an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, only to encounter a set of unforeseen, eerie circumstances. Devito’s life takes a chilling turn when he accidentally kills a young girl in the idyllic town and starts being haunted by an unseen force. This cruel twist of fate spirals Devito down a path of paranoia and fear, feeding into the tense, uneasy atmosphere of the movie.

Kim Hunter, best known for her role in "Planet of The Apes," plays Adrianna Putnam, the girl's grieving and vengeful grandfather and local sorcerer, who conjures a curse on Sal after the tragic event. He employs an obscure, esoteric ritual to summon an entity to seek vengeance on Sal, catalyzing the film's supernatural elements. Adrianna casts her sights away from conventional justice and relies on something far more menacing to ensure Sal pays for his deeds.

Carolyne Barry portrays Julie, Sal's devoted yet harrowed girlfriend, who gets caught up in the terrifying events. She depicts the anguish and horror of her ordeal with a profound performance, making the audience invested in her character’s survival. As the terror escalates, so does Julie’s will to fight and protect Sal despite the ominous entity wreaking havoc on their lives.

One of the main focal points of 'Dark August' is its atmosphere and sense of foreboding. Director Martin Goldman effectively utilizes the calm and serene rural setting to his advantage, making the subsequent supernatural events all the more shocking and unexpected. He builds suspense and maintains an unsettlingly eerie mood, keeping viewers constantly on edge.

This film is not just about the action-driven narrative; it pays astute attention to the underlying emotions of guilt, regret, and paranoia. Sal's guilt after the accident and his fearful run from the unseen entity becomes a metaphorical representation of his escape from responsibility. Such symbolic undertone throughout the movie adds a layer of depth to the storyline, making it a compelling watch beyond the usual scares associated with supernatural horror films.

The film balances suspense and horror elements seamlessly with a moving story about the consequences of our actions and how they can come back to haunt us, quite literally in Devito’s case. It gratifyingly explores themes of guilt, vengeance, and forgiveness across its substantial narrative while maintaining a consistent tension and fear factor. Despite its minimalistic budget, Goldman, with his competent direction and a solid performance from the lead actors, manages to create an atmospheric film that manages to captivate and, at the same time, unnerves the audience.

Less reliant on special effects and more on atmosphere, 'Dark August’ may not have the technological prowess of bigger-budget movies, but the simplicity and effectiveness of its horror components cannot be disregarded. The film is more philosophical than plain creepy, delving into superstitions, rituals, fear, and guilt in a subtle way that keeps the storyline as eerie and uncanny as can be.

To conclude, 'Dark August' is a uniquely engrossing psychological horror film that successfully blends real emotions with supernatural elements to create an atmospheric yet tense viewing experience, And for fans of the genre and those looking for a film that invokes both thrilling and thought-provoking feelings, 'Dark August' is certainly worth a watch. It stands as a testament to the success of low-budget horror films, demonstrating that a gripping story, an eerie setting, and strong performances can together create a movie that goes beyond fear and delves deep into the human psyche.