The Dark Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A stressed mom visits Wales, loses her daughter to a spooky beach, and then a different, possibly evil, little girl shows up like it’s a normal exchange program.

🍿 The Dark: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Troubled Family Arrives in Wales

Adèle and her daughter Sarah travel to Wales to visit Adèle’s estranged husband, James, in an attempt to repair their fractured family. Sarah resents her mother and longs for a closer relationship with her father. The remote Welsh landscape and the tension within the family create an unsettling atmosphere from the start.

Sarah’s Disappearance and Ebrill’s Emergence

During their stay, Sarah vanishes near a cliffside. Shortly after, a mysterious young girl named Ebrill appears, bearing a striking resemblance to Sarah. Ebrill claims to have died 60 years ago, adding an element of supernatural mystery to the situation. Adèle becomes increasingly obsessed with finding her daughter and understanding Ebrill’s connection to Sarah’s disappearance.

Unraveling the Welsh Mythology of Annwyn

Adèle learns about Annwyn, the Welsh underworld, and a local legend of a shepherd who sacrificed his followers to bring his deceased daughter, Ebrill, back to life. She believes that this legend holds the key to rescuing her daughter from Annwyn. Adèle delves deeper into the mythology, determined to find a way to bridge the gap between the living and the dead and bring Sarah home.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• James (Sean Bean): A grieving father in Wales, struggling to cope with the potential loss of his daughter and his strained relationship with his wife.
• Adèlle (Maria Bello): A troubled mother who becomes convinced her daughter can be saved through Welsh mythology after she disappears.
• Sarah (Sophie Stuckey): A conflicted teenager who vanishes on a Welsh beach, becoming the center of a supernatural mystery.
• Ebrill (Abigail Stone): A ghostly young girl who died 60 years ago and bears a striking resemblance to Sarah, connected to the Welsh underworld.
• Dafydd (Maurice Roëves): A local who explains the Welsh mythology of Annwyn and its connection to the events unfolding.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Adèlle: “The night Sarah went missing, I saw a girl.” – Adèlle reveals her encounter with Ebrill, hinting at the supernatural events unfolding.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $6,593,579

💥 The Dark Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a decent scare, and while it had its moments, “The Dark” left me feeling more confused than terrified. The Welsh setting was beautiful, but the plot felt muddled, especially towards the end. I appreciate the attempt to blend Welsh mythology into the story, but it didn’t quite gel. The little girl was creepy but not in a way that elevated the story for me. Sean Bean always delivers, but even his performance couldn’t save the confusing narrative. Maria Bello did her best, though. The film left a lasting sense of unease more than outright fright. Overall, it’s a watchable but ultimately forgettable horror film. It left me scratching my head, asking, “What just happened?!”

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of supernatural thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in Welsh mythology”
  • “Those who enjoy atmospheric horror films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Thematic elements of child loss and grief”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Brief scenes of violence”
  • “Suicide references”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb User Review: “A mixed bag. Starts as stock scare horror, evolving into a somewhat confused but clever psychological thriller. Sean Bean and Maria Bello deliver convincing performances. Formulaic scares get annoying, but the second half shows promise, diving into deeper psychological elements. Lacks clarity and subtlety, but still offers thrills and a satisfying conclusion.
• IMDb User Review: “Disappointing sound FX work, but otherwise surprisingly good. Cold Welsh mythology, nuance in acting, and fresh scares reminiscent of “Ju-on”. No major script holes, logical storytelling, and great detail. The climax gets a bit overloaded. Beautiful cinematography catches the Northern landscapes, with unusual angles and meaningful color FX.
• IMDb User Review: “A genre-by-numbers Saturday night shocker. Formulaic scare-mongering doesn’t enliven the story, but will make you jump. The plot has the attention span of someone reading Welsh mythology after several reefers. It picks up towards the end, and the scares are scary, however contrived. Standard horror fare.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers found it suspenseful despite flaws.: Many praised Sean Bean’s performance and the film’s atmosphere, even if the plot was confusing.

A few found it genuinely terrifying due to the plausibility of cult behavior.: Some viewers appreciated the incorporation of Welsh mythology, adding a unique element to the horror genre.

Overall Consensus: Mixed reviews overall. Many found the plot confusing, and the scares predictable. However, some praised the performances, atmosphere, and incorporation of Welsh mythology, with most in agreement that Sean Bean and Maria Bello gave it their all to deliver solid performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film explores Welsh mythology, particularly the concept of Annwn (Annwyn), the Welsh underworld or afterlife.”
• “Filming took place on location in Devon, England, rather than Wales, despite the film’s Welsh setting.”
• “An alternate ending was included on the USA Region 1 DVD from Sony Pictures, offering a different resolution to the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Dark?

The Dark is available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. You can also rent or purchase the movie through these services. Check your local listings for availability, as it may vary by region. Purchasing the film digitally gives you the option to download and watch it offline. Several streaming services also offer the film as part of a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• The Ring (2002): Features a supernatural curse, a creepy young girl, and a mother’s desperate attempt to save her child from a terrifying fate.
• Don’t Look Now (1973): Deals with grief, loss, and the supernatural in a haunting way, as a couple tries to come to terms with the death of their child while facing eerie events.
• The Others (2001): Creates a suspenseful atmosphere through a family secret and the supernatural, with an unexpected twist about the nature of reality.
• Silent Hill (2006): A mother travels to a mysterious town to find her daughter, encountering supernatural horrors and facing dark secrets from the past.

🛒 The Dark Related Products

• Sean Bean Movie Collection (DVD): Includes other Sean Bean movies, showcasing his versatility.
• Welsh Mythology Book: Explore the ancient myths and legends of Wales.
• Horror Movie Soundtrack Collection (Digital Download): Features iconic horror movie scores to set the perfect spooky mood.
• Sheep Plushie: An ironically cute plushie of the sheep depicted in the movie

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “N/A” – performed by N/A

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

THE DARK TOWER (2017) What Went Wrong?? (Analysis/Review)

Ever wondered why ‘The Dark Tower’ movie didn’t quite live up to the hype? This video dives deep into what went wrong during its adaptation, offering some fascinating insights that might change how you see the film!

✨ Rate