The Dark and the Wicked Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two siblings visit their dying dad on a spooky farm, where everything goes wrong because they forgot to bring sage.

🍿 The Dark and the Wicked: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Summons and Ominous Return

Louise and Michael return to their family’s secluded Texas farm, driven by their father’s failing health. They find their mother deeply troubled and distant, hinting at a malevolent presence. The film immediately establishes a mood of dread and isolation, underscored by the rural setting and their father’s bedridden state. The strained family dynamics and the mother’s unsettling behavior signal that more than just grief is at play.

Descent into Darkness

The atmosphere rapidly deteriorates as the siblings uncover disturbing events. Their mother’s diary reveals her growing paranoia and fear of a demonic force targeting their father. Seemingly supernatural occurrences escalate, including appearances of a mysterious priest and visions plaguing those on the farm. These events lead to unsettling deaths and a growing sense of helplessness against an unseen enemy, amplifying the film’s psychological horror elements.

Isolation and Demise

The siblings find themselves increasingly isolated as the entity manipulates their perceptions and relationships. Michael flees, only to face a horrific deception. Louise remains behind, battling the malevolent force as it closes in. The film’s climax underscores the theme of inescapable dread, as the siblings are systematically broken down and consumed by the darkness.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Louise (Marin Ireland): The strong-willed sister who returns to the family farm and confronts a growing darkness.
• Michael (Michael Abbott Jr.): The brother who, alongside his sister, faces terrifying events on their family’s isolated farm.
• Mother (Julie Oliver-Touchstone): The increasingly disturbed mother who succumbs to a sinister presence before her children arrive.
• Father (Michael Zagst): The bedridden and ailing father whose condition is the catalyst for the family’s torment.
• Nurse (Lynn Andrews): The caretaker whose sanity unravels as the evil on the farm intensifies, leading to a gruesome fate.
• Priest (Xander Berkeley): A mysterious figure whose appearance and knowledge suggest a connection to the evil plaguing the family.
• The Wicked (Charles Jonathan Trott): The unnamed entity representing the darkness that preys on the family’s vulnerability and despair.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Priest: “You think the wolf cares that you believe he’s real? Not if he finds you alone in the woods.” – A chilling observation about the nature of evil, suggesting belief or disbelief doesn’t protect you from its reality.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $157,252
• Worldwide Gross: $736,153

💥 The Dark and the Wicked Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched *The Dark and the Wicked* last night, and I’m still a little creeped out. The atmosphere was insane; the farm setting just amplified the sense of dread. I felt so on edge! The scene where the mother is whispering to their father, but you can tell she’s talking to *something* else, was terrifying. I thought it was scary and atmospheric, the ending was not very satisfying but the whole experience was fantastic!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn horror”
  • “Viewers who appreciate atmosphere over jump scares”
  • “Those interested in psychological horror and themes of family trauma”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Animal death”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Bryan Bertino crafts a bleak, atmospheric horror film. While the story is thin, the film excels in its visual and sound design, creating a palpable sense of dread. Ireland and Abbott Jr. deliver strong performances, grounding the supernatural horror in relatable family trauma. Worth a watch for horror fans seeking genuine scares over cheap thrills.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A slow-burn horror that relies heavily on atmosphere and unsettling visuals. *The Dark and the Wicked* offers effective scares but falters in its narrative clarity. The performances are strong, but the lack of a compelling backstory ultimately leaves the audience wanting more than just creeping dread.
• IndieWire: “Bertino delivers a masterclass in suspense and dread, making excellent use of the isolated setting and strong performances from the cast. Despite the lack of a clear explanation behind the haunting, the film manages to tap into primal fears, providing an unsettling and unforgettable viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

The atmospheric dread and suspense are top-notch.: Viewers praised the film’s effective use of sound and visuals to create a terrifying atmosphere.

The acting is superb, especially Marin Ireland’s performance.: The performances of the lead actors are frequently cited as a highlight of the film.

Overall Consensus: A chilling atmospheric horror film, praised for its strong performances and suspenseful build-up, but criticized for its ambiguous plot and unsatisfying ending.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie was filmed on the director Bryan Bertino’s family farm, adding a personal and unsettling touch to the production.”
• “The film relies heavily on atmosphere and psychological horror rather than jump scares, aiming for a more sustained sense of dread.”
• “Bryan Bertino also wrote the screenplay, ensuring his vision was fully realized on screen.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Dark and the Wicked?

As of October 2024, “The Dark and the Wicked” is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as streaming options can vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Dark and the Wicked, you might like these similar films:

• The Witch (2015): Both films feature a family isolated on a farm, facing a dark, supernatural presence that slowly unravels them through psychological and physical horror.
• Hereditary (2018): Shares similar themes of family trauma, grief, and the intrusion of malevolent forces, creating a sense of impending doom and psychological breakdown.
• The Strangers (2008): Also directed by Bryan Bertino, it shares a similar sense of dread and vulnerability, with ordinary people terrorized by unknown, malevolent forces in an isolated setting.
• A Dark Song (2016): A film exploring the dark side of ritualistic magic, the protagonist faces terrifying realities as they delve deeper into forbidden knowledge, much like the siblings in ‘The Dark and the Wicked’.

🛒 The Dark and the Wicked Related Products

• The Strangers (Unrated Director’s Cut) [Blu-ray]: From the same writer/director Bryan Bertino, *The Strangers* delivers home invasion horror with a similar unsettling atmosphere.
• Goat Plush Toy – Adorable Farm Animal Stuffed Animal: A cute, cuddly goat plushie, perfect for fans of the farm setting or to add a touch of whimsy to your horror movie nights… maybe.
• Black Philip: An adult coloring book: A Satanic Coloring Book Filled With Goats, Demons, Unholy Sigils and other Images of Infernal Depravity: Get your goat demon on with this satanic colouring book. Great for the whole family!
• The Witch (2015) – Blu-ray: A New England family in the 1630s is torn apart by suspicion, terror, and black magic.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Dark and the Wicked features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Theme” – performed by Tom Schraeder
• “The Farm” – performed by Tom Schraeder
• “Whispers” – performed by Tom Schraeder

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Quickie: Crazy Samurai Musashi, The Dark and the Wicked, The Reckoning, Hunted

Want a quick take on ‘The Dark and the Wicked’? This reviewer dives right in, and honestly, their thoughts might just change how you see the movie. I found it pretty spot-on, check it out!

TOP 8 SCARIEST HORROR FILMS OF THE LAST 5 YEARS

Is ‘The Dark and the Wicked’ truly terrifying? This list ranks it among the scariest horror films of the last 5 years! I think it’s a bit of a stretch, but worth seeing what the hype’s about.

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