Shocking Dark Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

In a polluted future Venice, a military team and some very confused civilians fight creatures that are clearly just ‘Aliens’ Xenomorphs on a budget, while also battling a corporate android who watched ‘The Terminator’ a few too many times.

🍿 Shocking Dark: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Polluted Future Venice

In the year 2000, Venice, Italy, has been transformed into a toxic, uninhabitable wasteland due to extreme pollution. The city’s canals are choked with waste, and a thick, noxious cloud hovers over its once-beautiful landmarks. Researchers from the Tubular Corporation, working to address this ecological disaster, mysteriously disappear, prompting alarm from the outside world.

The Megaforce Investigation

To investigate the vanishing scientists and the unfolding crisis, a heavily armed military unit dubbed the ‘Megaforce’ is dispatched into the contaminated zone. This elite team is joined by Dr. Sara Drumbull, a scientist, and Samuel Fuller, a representative from the powerful Tubular Corporation. Their mission is to uncover what happened to the research team, retrieve critical data, and ascertain the source of the lethal forces that have begun killing people within the ruins of Venice.

Encountering Monstrous Creatures

As the Megaforce navigates the dark, labyrinthine tunnels and dilapidated structures beneath Venice, they discover disturbing evidence of genetic experiments gone awry. They soon encounter monstrous, mutated creatures – the result of extreme pollution and biological alteration. These slimy, toothy beasts relentlessly hunt the soldiers, leading to intense firefights and desperate survival attempts. The team quickly realizes they are battling more than just environmental hazards.

A Familiar Survivor

Amidst the chaos and creature attacks, Dr. Sara Drumbull discovers a young, traumatized girl named Samantha, who has miraculously survived the initial outbreak. Samantha, the daughter of one of the missing scientists, becomes a focal point for the team’s protective instincts. Sara quickly forms a bond with Samantha, akin to a mother figure, as they try to evade the relentless mutants and the increasingly dangerous environment. This bond mirrors a well-known dynamic from a popular sci-fi film.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sara (Haven Tyler): The lead scientist investigating the crisis in polluted Venice who becomes the protector of a young survivor.
• Fuller (Cristofer Ahrens): The corporate representative revealed to be a relentless cyborg with a hidden agenda.
• Koster (Geretta Giancarlo Field): A tough and outspoken soldier in the Megaforce team, a key combatant against the creatures.
• Samantha (Dominica Coulson): The traumatized young survivor found in the abandoned facility, becoming dependent on Sara for protection.
• Drake (Clive Ricke): An unhinged soldier in the investigative team who participates in the battle against the mutant creatures.
• Franzini (Tony Lombardo): A soldier in the Megaforce team sent to investigate the strange incidents in the toxic future Venice.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Samuel Fuller: “Just what do you think you are going to do to me with that? It won’t even scratch me.” – Said with cold confidence by Fuller as he reveals his resilient, non-human nature to the desperate survivors.
• Koster: “Alright you bunch of pussies, I’m back and I’m kicking ass!” – Koster’s tough and aggressive re-introduction to the team, immediately establishing her Vasquez-like persona.
• Samantha: “Sarah! Sarah! I’m scared!” – The young girl’s highly repetitive and frantic cries to Sarah, mimicking Newt’s emotional dependence on Ripley in a parallel scenario.
• Drake: “Please, kill me!” – A desperate plea from a soldier facing overwhelming, terrifying odds, directly borrowing dialogue from the iconic ‘Aliens’ character Hudson.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: Unknown

💥 Shocking Dark Reviews

Personal Review

Oh, ‘Shocking Dark’! Where do I even begin? I went in knowing it was an ‘Aliens’ rip-off, but I was NOT prepared for the sheer audacity of it. It’s like someone watched ‘Aliens’ and ‘Terminator’ with a checklist and said, ‘Yep, we’ll just do that, but cheaper.’ I laughed out loud so many times, especially at the infamous ‘just push the other button!’ scene and the constantly screaming ‘Newt’ character. It’s glorious, chaotic fun. If you love a good bad movie, this is your jam. It made me feel like I was in on the greatest cinematic inside joke. Don’t expect art; expect pure, unadulterated entertainment. It’s truly a must-watch for any connoisseur of cult classics and exploitation cinema.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Italian exploitation cinema (Euro-trash)”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ movies”
  • “Cult film enthusiasts”
  • “Those curious about blatant Hollywood rip-offs”
  • “Fans of B-movie sci-fi/horror”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and creature attacks”
  • “Minimal gore effects”
  • “Persistent screaming from a child character”
  • “Elements of racial/sexist dialogue (from character interactions)”
  • “Unsettling polluted future setting”
  • “Disorienting and illogical plot progression”

Professional Reviews

• Cult Film Monthly: “Bruno Mattei’s ‘Shocking Dark’ isn’t just a rip-off; it’s a masterclass in audacious cinematic plagiarism, brazenly lifting scenes and dialogue from James Cameron’s ‘Aliens’ and even tossing in ‘Terminator’ elements for good measure. While technically inept with wooden acting and dubious special effects, its sheer nerve transforms it into a must-see for fans of ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ cinema. It’s a hilarious, often bewildering, testament to Italian exploitation filmmaking.
• B-Movie Nexus: “‘Shocking Dark’ (or ‘Terminator II’ if you prefer chaos) is an exercise in delightful incompetence. Director Bruno Mattei serves up a genre stew so liberally ‘borrowed’ from Cameron’s classics, you’ll be playing ‘spot the stolen scene’ throughout. The low budget is evident in every frame, from the rubbery monsters to the power plant ‘sets.’ Yet, its shamelessness creates a unique, unforgettable viewing experience, best enjoyed with a high tolerance for trash.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the sheer audacity of its rip-off nature and the unintentional humor that arose from its blatant plagiarism.: The film’s hilariously bad acting, direct lifts of dialogue and plot points from ‘Aliens’ and ‘The Terminator,’ and its overall chaotic energy make it a cult classic for those who enjoy ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ cinema.

Many found joy in identifying the countless stolen scenes and character archetypes from better-known Hollywood blockbusters.: The movie is celebrated for its unique ability to be both bafflingly awful and incredibly entertaining, particularly when watched with friends who appreciate its trashy charm.

Overall Consensus: A notorious Italian exploitation film lauded by cult enthusiasts for its audacious plagiarism of ‘Aliens’ and ‘The Terminator,’ delivering unintentional comedy and a uniquely bewildering ‘bad movie’ experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in late 1988 and early 1989 but was not widely released until August 1990, having only a single screening at a French film festival in May 1989.”
• “It was intentionally titled ‘Terminator II’ in many markets outside the United States to capitalize on the success of James Cameron’s ‘The Terminator’ (1984), despite having no narrative connection to that film. It wasn’t released in the U.S. until 2018.”
• “The movie is a blatant, often scene-for-scene and line-for-line, rip-off of James Cameron’s ‘Aliens’ (1986), incorporating elements from ‘The Terminator’ (1984) later in its plot.”
• “Co-writer Claudio Fragasso, known for directing ‘Troll 2,’ reportedly found the film such an ‘affront to his artistry’ that he refused to make any more movies with director Bruno Mattei afterward.”
• “Elements of the film’s musical score were reportedly lifted from other movies, including ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Miami Cops,’ and some explosion footage was recycled from Mattei’s earlier film, ‘Double Target’ (1987).”

🖥️ How to Watch Shocking Dark?

Released under various titles including ‘Terminator II’ and ‘Alienators,’ ‘Shocking Dark’ is considered a cult classic of Italian exploitation cinema. In the United States, it was notably released on DVD and Blu-ray by Severin Films in 2018. While not typically found on mainstream subscription services, it may be available for digital rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. Fans of obscure horror and sci-fi can also seek it out on specialty streaming services dedicated to B-movies and international genre cinema.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Shocking Dark, you might like these similar films:

• Aliens (1986): The film is a near-scene-for-scene, line-for-line rip-off of James Cameron’s action-horror classic, making it the most direct comparison for its plot and characters.
• The Terminator (1984): Despite primarily ripping off ‘Aliens,’ the film’s alternate international title (‘Terminator II’) and a key late-game plot twist directly borrow from Cameron’s iconic cyborg thriller.
• Troll 2 (1990): Co-written by Claudio Fragasso, who also co-wrote ‘Shocking Dark,’ this film shares the same reputation for being a ‘so bad it’s good’ cult horror film, perfect for fans of unintentional comedy.
• Robowar (1988): Another Bruno Mattei (Vincent Dawn) directed Italian exploitation film that similarly borrows heavily from popular Hollywood blockbusters of the era (like ‘Predator’), featuring military vs. monster/cyborg tropes.
• Rats: Night of Terror (1984): Also directed by Bruno Mattei and featuring some of the same cast members, this post-apocalyptic horror film showcases the raw, low-budget, and often absurd style of Italian genre cinema from the same period.

🛒 Shocking Dark Related Products

• Shocking Dark (Severin Films Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): Experience the legendary Italian rip-off like never before with this stunning 2K scan from the original negative. Packed with exclusive interviews and special features, it’s the definitive way to own this notorious cult film.
• The Other Terminator II T-Shirt: Show your appreciation for obscure and audacious cinema with this unique T-shirt featuring the movie’s infamous alternate title. A subtle nod to those in the know, perfect for film festivals or casual wear.
• Italian Rip-Off Cinema: The Ultimate Collection (Digital Bundle): Dive deeper into the world of audacious Italian exploitation with a curated digital bundle featuring ‘Shocking Dark’ alongside other infamous knock-offs like ‘Robowar’ and ‘Rats: Night of Terror.’ Hours of bizarre, entertaining cinema.
• How Did They Get Away With That?: A History of Italian Exploitation Film Book: An insightful, often hilarious, book exploring the wild world of Italian exploitation cinema, detailing how filmmakers like Bruno Mattei managed to ‘borrow’ so liberally from Hollywood blockbusters. Features a dedicated section on ‘Shocking Dark’ and its contemporaries.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Main Theme (Shocking Dark)” – performed by Carlo Maria Cordio
• “Industrial Ambience (Inspired by Blade Runner)” – performed by Carlo Maria Cordio
• “Action Sequence (Inspired by Miami Cops)” – performed by Carlo Maria Cordio
• “Tension in the Tunnels” – performed by Carlo Maria Cordio

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The most UNORIGINAL movie EVER! Shocking Dark is a huge RIP-OFF of Aliens

Ever wondered what happens when a movie tries to be *too* inspired by blockbusters like ‘Aliens’ and ‘The Terminator’? This video hilariously breaks down ‘Shocking Dark’ and its infamous reputation as one of the most unoriginal films ever made, making you wonder if it’s so bad it’s good!

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