The Darkness

The Darkness is a supernatural horror film released in 2016. Directed and co-written by acclaimed filmmaker Greg McLean, who is known for his mastery in the horror genre, the movie features a fine cast including Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell, and David Mazouz (famous for his impressive performance in FOX's Batman prequel series, Gotham).

The Darkness starts off by introducing us to the Taylor family: the father, Peter Taylor, played by Kevin Bacon, the mother, Bronny, portrayed by Radha Mitchell, and their two children, Stephanie and Michael, played by Lucy Fry and David Mazouz respectively. The family is on a seemingly innocuous vacation to the Grand Canyon, where they experience a series of strange and daunting occurrences. They soon find themselves plunged into an eerie, anxious world that forces them to confront a terrifying supernatural entity.

Peter is a successful architect trying to balance work and family, while Bronny is trying to keep family matters under control. Their son, Michael, whose performance is portrayed in a manner both innocent yet oddly unsettling, exhibits an unusual separation from others, attributed to his autism. His fascination with a certain geological find that he accidentally stumbles upon during the holiday, though appearing innocent, provides the groundwork for the distressing storyline to unfurl.

Crafted skillfully by McLean, The Darkness subtly escalates the tension after the family's return from the Grand Canyon. Strange occurrences start to take place at an alarming rate at the Taylor residence. The film wisely refrains from blatantly showcasing its supernatural elements too early, and instead, offers palpable tension and an increasing sense of dread as mysterious incidents disrupt the peace of their suburban home.

Objects move of their own accord, shadows flicker in less-travelled corners, and an ominous presence is felt. The aura of the unknown that the film manages to maintain is one of its highpoints, increasing the sense of suspense and keeping the viewer hooked. What began as idyllic slowly turns into a nightmare for the Taylor family as they come face to face with the inexplicable forces that have entered their home, unwittingly brought back with them from their expedition.

Kevin Bacon delivers an excellent performance as Peter, capturing the essence of a man torn between real-world responsibilities and the unearthly disturbances unsettling his family. Radha Mitchell also shines as Bronny, showing immense depth and strength as a mother striving to protect her family from an unknown evil. Their performances create a genuine portrayal of a family plunged into a world of darkness and fear.

David Mazouz's performance as Michael is also worth mentioning as he goes from a misunderstood child to the key focus of the dark forces. The hair-raising experiences he endures serve to propel the plot forward, heightening the suspense and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Darkness manages to build and maintain a consistent, ominous atmosphere, impressively exploring the fear and foreboding that come hand in hand with unknown forces invading a commonplace, suburban life. It maintains its suspense-driven narrative while also delicately handling themes of family dynamics, marital discord, and personal redemption. The horrifying visuals, unsurprisingly effective sound design, and photographic nuances used to depict the haunting intensifies the chilling narrative and the ominous presence of the supernatural.

In a nutshell, The Darkness is a movie that aims to scare its audience through suspense and insinuation, rather than relying solely on jump scares or grotesque visuals. It continually nurtures an increasingly oppressively eerie environment, with the supernatural elements woven cleverly into the storyline and complemented with strong, believable performances from the cast.

For fans of horror movies that capably use atmospheric pressure and psychological tension, The Darkness manages to deliver a horrifying cinematic experience. It proves that sometimes what is left unseen or unexplained can be far more distressing and that fear of the unknown is the most powerful fear of all.