Hold the Dark Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A wolf expert goes to Alaska, finds out the real wolves are the people, and everyone just starts shooting each other… because Alaska.

🍿 Hold the Dark: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in Keelut and the Missing Child

Russell Core, a wolf expert and writer, arrives in the remote Alaskan village of Keelut at the request of Medora Slone. Medora’s son, Bailey, is missing, and she believes wolves are responsible. Core agrees to help track the wolves, hoping to understand their behavior and provide some closure to Medora.

Vernon’s Return and Violent Rampage

Medora’s husband, Vernon, a soldier serving in Iraq, returns home after being wounded. Upon learning of his son’s death, he embarks on a violent quest for revenge. He is aided by his friend Cheeon, setting off a chain of brutal events that engulf the isolated community.

Investigation and Discovery

As Core and local police chief Donald Marium investigate Bailey’s disappearance and the escalating violence, they uncover disturbing secrets about Medora and Vernon. The investigation leads them to believe that the truth behind Bailey’s death is far more complex and sinister than a simple wolf attack.

The Wolf Mask and its Significance

Throughout the film, a wolf mask appears, symbolizing a descent into primal and violent instincts. The mask seems to have a profound effect on those who wear it, amplifying their darkest impulses and blurring the lines between human and animal behavior. The use of the mask connects to the film’s broader themes of darkness and the inherent savagery within humanity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Russell Core (Jeffrey Wright): A retired naturalist and wolf expert who is summoned to Alaska to investigate the deaths of children.
• Vernon Slone (Alexander Skarsgård): A war veteran and husband of Medora, who returns home to find his son dead and embarks on a violent quest for vengeance.
• Medora Slone (Riley Keough): A troubled mother who summons Russell Core and is connected to the disturbing events in Keelut.
• Donald Marium (James Badge Dale): The local police chief attempting to maintain order and investigate the escalating violence.
• Cheeon (Julian Black Antelope): Vernon’s friend and father of one of the missing children, who aids Vernon in his vengeful rampage.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cheeon: “When we’re killed, the past is killed. When kids are killed… that’s different. When kids are killed, the future dies. There’s no life without a future.” – Cheeon explains his motivation and the impact of children’s deaths on the community.
• Illanaq: “She knows evil.” – An old native woman’s warning about Medora, hinting at her dark nature and involvement in the tragic events.
• Vernon Slone: “(No Dialogue – Vernon’s actions speak louder than words)” – Vernon’s intense, silent rage and brutal actions upon returning home drive the film’s dark narrative, highlighting the animalistic tendencies within humanity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Hold the Dark Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a suspenseful thriller, and I definitely got that, but also something much deeper. The Alaskan landscape is almost a character itself, adding to the eerie atmosphere. The shootout scene was absolutely intense, and the ending, while confusing, left me thinking about it for days. It’s not a movie for everyone, but if you like dark, thought-provoking stories, this is worth a watch. Definitely read about it after; you won’t regret it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in dark, atmospheric stories”
  • “Those who appreciate films exploring primal instincts and human darkness”
  • “People who enjoy Jeffrey Wright and Alexander Skarsgård’s performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Mature themes including child death and incestuous relationships”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Jeremy Saulnier delivers a bleak and brutal film that explores the darkness within human nature. The film’s stunning cinematography and strong performances, particularly from Jeffrey Wright and Alexander Skarsgård, create an unsettling and captivating experience, even if the plot occasionally meanders.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While ‘Hold the Dark’ boasts striking visuals and committed performances, its ambiguous narrative and slow pace may frustrate some viewers. Saulnier’s signature violence is present, but it lacks the impact of his previous works due to the film’s overall lack of focus.

Audience Reactions

The cinematography is stunning, especially the winter landscapes of Alaska.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s visuals and atmospheric tone.

The intense shootout scene in the middle of the movie was memorable and shocking.: Many found the violence jarring but effective in conveying the story’s themes.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and atmospheric thriller with strong performances, but its ambiguous plot and slow pace divide audiences. Some find it thought-provoking, while others find it confusing and unsatisfying.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in 61 days in Alberta, Canada, utilizing the natural landscapes to create the remote Alaskan setting.”
• “Director Jeremy Saulnier is known for his sudden and brutal violence in films like ‘Blue Ruin’ and ‘Green Room,’ a style very present in ‘Hold the Dark.'”

🖥️ How to Watch Hold the Dark?

Hold the Dark is currently available to stream on Netflix. As it is a Netflix original, it may not be available for purchase or rental on other platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hold the Dark, you might like these similar films:

• Wind River (2017): Shares a similar bleak and atmospheric setting in a snow-covered landscape, with a focus on violence and mystery within an isolated community.
• No Country for Old Men (2007): Features a similar tone of unrelenting violence and explores the dark side of human nature, with a minimalist style and complex moral ambiguities.
• The Grey (2011): Set in the Alaskan wilderness, it focuses on survival against the elements and the primal nature of man when faced with extreme circumstances.

🛒 Hold the Dark Related Products

• Hold the Dark (Novel) by William Giraldi: Delve deeper into the story with the book that inspired the movie. Understand the complex characters and unravel the mysteries of Keelut, Alaska, in this gripping novel.
• Wolf Masks – Handcrafted Wooden Mask: A detailed handcrafted wooden wolf mask inspired by the masks seen in the movie. Made with high-quality materials and intricate designs, it’s a unique collector’s item.
• Alaskan Wilderness Survival Kit: Be prepared for the harshest environments with this comprehensive survival kit. Includes essentials like a fire starter, compass, knife, and first-aid supplies.
• The Grey (Blu-ray): If you enjoyed the stark Alaskan wilderness and man-versus-nature themes of ‘Hold the Dark’, this is another film to watch. The story follows a group of oil workers stranded in Alaska after a plane crash, battling the elements and a pack of wolves.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “You’ll Lose a Good Thing” – performed by Lou Ann Barton
• “Hold the Dark (Original Score)” – performed by Brooke Blair and Will Blair

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

TOOL – Schism (Official Video)

Ever wondered what kind of music inspires dark and thought-provoking movies? Check out Tool’s ‘Schism’ – the visuals are as mind-bending as the lyrics, and I think it really captures a similar vibe!

6 Verbal Tricks To Make An Aggressive Person Sorry

Intrigued by the power dynamics in the movie? This video breaks down 6 verbal tricks that can help you navigate aggressive conversations. Honestly, knowing these tips is like having a superpower in real life, and it gives you a different perspective on the characters in the movie!

Quantum Tunneling At Home

Want to understand the science behind some of the more mind-bending aspects of the movie? This quick video explains quantum tunneling with a simple home experiment. It’s seriously cool how they demonstrate it, and it helps make those sci-fi concepts feel a little more real!

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