🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Damian Lee
- Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
- Release year: 2012
- Runtime (length): 1h 46min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (6.4K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Ex-CIA radio host fights water company to save villagers, except the villagers are already mostly dead, and the company’s run by a cartoon villain, so it’s less ‘fight the power’ and more ‘shootout at the corporate water park’.
🍿 A Dark Truth: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Contaminated Water Supply
In Ecuador, a water purification company, Clearbec, experiences a major filtration system failure in the town of Tayca. This malfunction leads to a devastating typhoid outbreak among the local population. The company, led by CEO Bruce Swinton, takes drastic measures to conceal the truth, prioritizing profits over human lives.

Cover-Up and Genocide
To prevent news of the contamination from spreading and jeopardizing future deals, Bruce orchestrates a military operation to silence the villagers. Government security forces move in, ruthlessly executing the survivors to eliminate witnesses. This act of genocide further highlights Clearbec’s callous disregard for human life.

Enter Jack Begosian
Morgan Swinton, Bruce’s sister and a shareholder in Clearbec, learns about the atrocities and is horrified by her brother’s actions. Driven by a sense of morality, she hires Jack Begosian, a former CIA operative turned political talk show host, to investigate the situation. Jack, haunted by his past, is reluctant but ultimately agrees to uncover the truth.

The Investigation Begins
Jack travels to Ecuador and begins his investigation, facing numerous obstacles and dangers. He discovers that Francisco Francis, a social activist labeled a terrorist by Clearbec, holds key information about the contamination and subsequent cover-up. Jack’s path crosses with Francisco, setting the stage for a confrontation with the corporation and its ruthless tactics.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jack Begosian (Andy Garcia): A former CIA operative turned talk show host hired to uncover a corporate cover-up in Ecuador.
- Bruce Swinton (Kim Coates): The ruthless CEO of Clearbec who orchestrates a cover-up to protect his company’s interests.
- Morgan Swinton (Deborah Kara Unger): A morally conflicted shareholder who hires Jack to expose her brother’s company’s wrongdoings.
- Francisco Francis (Forest Whitaker): An Ecuadorian activist fighting against Clearbec’s exploitation of water resources.
- Tony Green (Steven Bauer): A Clearbec henchman involved in suppressing the truth about the Ecuadorian disaster.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jack Begosian: “It started about 300 years ago in England with the turning of public lands into private property. And it changed the way we think, the way we view time, and land, and water – and even people. It turned them into units. Commodities to be bought and sold, and therefore exploited.” – Jack explains the historical roots of viewing resources as commodities during his radio show.
- Jack Begosian: “Society need to approve of the things to be turned into commodities before they can be bought or sold. People can be bought or sold, correct? That did happen. As horrific and diabolical as that may sound, it’s a fact.” – Jack responds to a caller on his radio show, illustrating how societal norms influence what is considered a commodity.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20M
- Domestic Gross: $5,750
- Worldwide Gross: $5,750
💥 A Dark Truth Reviews
Personal Review
I really wanted to like A Dark Truth more than I did. The premise is interesting, and it tackles important issues of corporate greed and environmental exploitation. However, the execution felt a bit clunky. The characters are interesting and the violence can be intense. It’s a movie with a message but the message is buried a bit. If you’re interested in political thrillers, it’s worth a watch, but don’t expect a masterpiece.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Viewers interested in political thrillers.”
- “Fans of Andy Garcia and Forest Whitaker.”
- “Those concerned about corporate accountability and environmental issues.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Mature themes”
- “Depiction of genocide”
Professional Reviews
- ScreenRant: “A Dark Truth attempts to tackle a complex issue with a heavy-handed approach. The performances are decent, but the script is simplistic, making it difficult to engage emotionally with the characters. Despite its noble intentions, the film ultimately fails to deliver a compelling narrative.
- IMDB User Review: “An excellent overlooked movie not to be missed and this is one of the best corporate scandal movies ever made! This time it involves a Canadian company rather than a standard typical stereotype American one. Worldwide travelers like me will appreciate the international realistic business environment exposure that includes Canada, South Africa and Ecuador. Plot twists and turns do not disappoint. Scenes look very realistic and portray how real life business and living conditions exist in these parts of the world. The performances are outstanding. Andy Garcia gives perhaps his best acting performance yet in his career. Forest Whitaker is equally as impressive shining again as an actor playing another convincing international role character. Please do yourself a favor and watch this movie. It entertains and delivers so it should not be missed.
- IMDB User Review: “The subject matter will rile fair minded people and will give credit for the overall results, delivers some action and covers all the basis, but it doesn’t quite shine. The evil police and military, partnered with the big corporation vs the poor peasants of Ecuador are the part of the plot most believable because they are based on real events.
Audience Reactions
Andy Garcia’s performance provides depth to a conflicted character.: The acting from lead roles provide depth, especially Andy Garcia and Forest Whitaker in there roles.
Tackles important social and environmental themes.: The movie brings light to real-world issues and provides insight.
Overall Consensus: A Dark Truth presents a relevant story with decent performances but suffers from a predictable plot and heavy-handed execution. It’s a watchable thriller but ultimately fails to leave a lasting impact.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is a dramatic interpretation of true events based upon hundreds of media accounts and interviews.”
- “Some of the actual names have been changed, certain events and characters fictionalized, and some timelines condensed for dramatic purposes.”
🖥️ How to Watch A Dark Truth?
As of October 26, 2023, ‘A Dark Truth’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for availability. Subscription services may occasionally offer the film, so keep an eye on those as well.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed A Dark Truth, you might like these similar films:
- Syriana (2005): Deals with similar themes of corporate and governmental corruption in the context of natural resources and international politics.
- Michael Clayton (2007): Features a corporate cover-up with legal and ethical implications, and a protagonist who uncovers the truth.
🛒 A Dark Truth Related Products
- Blu-Ray – A Dark Truth: Own the movie on Blu-ray and delve deeper into the behind-the-scenes of the making of ‘A Dark Truth’.
- Amazon Prime Video – A Dark Truth: Watch ‘A Dark Truth’ instantly in HD on Amazon Prime Video. Enjoy the convenience of streaming it on any device.
- Eco-Friendly Water Bottle – Inspired by ‘A Dark Truth’: Stay hydrated with a reusable water bottle. Stylish design and eco-friendly materials.
- Water Filtration System – Countertop: Ensure clean and pure water at home with this reliable filtration system. Easy to install and use.
🎧 Soundtrack
A Dark Truth features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While the film is a fictionalized account, it draws inspiration from real-world events involving corporate exploitation of natural resources and human rights abuses in developing countries. The end credits state it’s based on hundreds of media accounts.
The film explores themes of corporate greed, environmental exploitation, and the fight for justice against powerful interests. It highlights the potential consequences of prioritizing profit over human lives and the importance of holding corporations accountable.
While the story is set in Ecuador, filming primarily took place in the Dominican Republic.
🔥 Bonus Content
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Ever wonder what really goes on behind closed doors? This POV video explores the dark side of seemingly perfect families. It’s super engaging and makes you think about what people hide!
I Explored the Dark Truth of the Vietnam Draft.. 😳 #shorts
If you’re interested in a quick, impactful look into the complexities of the Vietnam War, you should check out this video!
The DARK Truth about BEARS – Joe Rogan
Do you think you know everything about bears? You are going to think twice! This video explains some dark truths about bears.
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