We Summon the Darkness Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three metalhead chicks lure a band back to their house to play a rousing game of ‘Never Have I Ever’ that ends with ritualistic murder instead of awkward make-outs.

🍿 We Summon the Darkness: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Road Trip to a Heavy Metal Concert

In the summer of 1988, Alexis, Val, and Beverly, three best friends and metalheads, embark on a road trip to a heavy metal concert. Amidst news reports of ritualistic murders linked to Satanic cults, the girls are excited to see their favorite bands. A chance encounter with a trio of male musicians sets the stage for a night of partying.

After-Party at Alexis’s Family Mansion

After the concert, Alexis invites Mark, Kovacs, and Ivan back to her family’s secluded mansion for an after-party. As they play a drinking game, the atmosphere shifts, and the girls drug the unsuspecting musicians. The situation takes a dark turn when the boys wake up tied to chairs, revealing the girls’ sinister intentions.

Twist: Religious Fanaticism and Murder

The girls reveal themselves to be devout members of a Christian group called the Daughters of the Dawn, led by Alexis’s father, Pastor John Henry Butler. They plan to murder the musicians and frame it as a Satanic cult killing, hoping to incite fear and drive people to their church. Alexis, the most zealous of the three, takes a sadistic pleasure in their twisted mission.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alexis (Alexandra Daddario): A seemingly fun-loving metalhead who is secretly a religiously zealous killer.
• Val (Maddie Hasson): Alexis’s wild and loyal best friend who eagerly participates in the murderous scheme.
• Beverly (Amy Forsyth): A conflicted member of the group who experiences a crisis of conscience and ultimately rebels against Alexis and Val.
• Mark (Keean Johnson): A kind metalhead and aspiring musician who forms a connection with Beverly and fights to survive.
• John Henry Butler (Johnny Knoxville): Alexis’s charismatic but manipulative father and pastor who is the mastermind behind the Daughters of the Dawn.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alexis: “This is supposed to scare other people, not us.” – Alexis says this after seeing a news article about the Satanic killings they are responsible for, showcasing her detached and sinister mindset.
• Val: “For the Lord!” – Val shouts this while attacking, highlighting the twisted religious justification for their violent acts.
• John Henry Butler: “We have to make some sacrifices.” – John Henry Butler says this to Alexis, revealing his manipulative and sinister nature, even willing to sacrifice his own daughter to maintain his image.
• Beverly: “I’m letting them go.” – Beverly declares this to Alexis and Val, signifying her change of heart and rejection of their murderous plan.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3 million
• Domestic Gross: $60,794
• Worldwide Gross: $190,760

💥 We Summon the Darkness Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting some campy fun, and it delivered…mostly. Alexandra Daddario is great, and the 80s vibes are strong. However, the twist was a bit predictable, and some of the plot points felt underdeveloped. Still, I enjoyed the ride! There’s a scene involving an outboard motor that had me laughing, even though it was supposed to be intense. It’s a decent horror flick for a casual movie night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of horror-comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in the ‘Satanic Panic’ era”
  • “Alexandra Daddario fans”
  • “People who enjoy films with unexpected twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Religious themes”

Professional Reviews

• JoBlo.com: “A partially fun, nonsensical throwback to 80s slasher flicks, albeit with a mild satanic twist. The film gives more screen-time to Daddario, Hasson, and Forsyth. Daddario scores in the latter parts while Hasson keeps the sass levels unchecked. Knoxville (as Pastor Butler) feels miscast.
• Bloody-Disgusting.com: “We Summon the Darkness undeniably uses a whole lot of familiar tropes and borrows from similar and better movies, but the result is an effortful indie horror and a healthy dose of fun to be had for any guy and gal in love with horror, the 80’s, satanic anything and, of course, metal.

Audience Reactions

Alexandra Daddario gives a compelling performance, stealing every scene.: Viewers enjoyed the 80s nostalgia and found the movie entertaining despite its flaws.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag of 80s nostalgia and horror tropes that doesn’t quite reach its full potential, but is still entertaining.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The parking lot scene was inspired by the documentary short ‘Heavy Metal Parking Lot’ (1986) which captured the atmosphere outside a Judas Priest concert.”
• “The film is set in 1988 during the ‘Satanic Panic,’ a period of widespread fear about satanic cults that influenced the narrative’s themes.”
• “Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada served as a filming location, providing the necessary backdrop for the film’s setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch We Summon the Darkness?

We Summon the Darkness is available for streaming via various platforms. You can find it on demand for purchase or rental through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed We Summon the Darkness, you might like these similar films:

• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974): Features unsuspecting youths terrorized by a group of killers in a remote location, creating a similar sense of dread and violence.
• Jennifer’s Body (2009): Explores themes of female violence and subverted expectations in a horror setting, similar to the twist in ‘We Summon the Darkness’.
• Satanic Panic (2019): Also explores the comedic and horrific aspects of dealing with satanic cults.
• Trick or Treat (1986): Heavy metal and Satanism combine in this cheesy, but fun 80’s horror film.

🛒 We Summon the Darkness Related Products

• Metallica: Master of Puppets (Remastered): The quintessential thrash metal album by Metallica, remastered for ultimate listening enjoyment. Immerse yourself in the sounds that fueled the 80s metal scene.
• 80s Retro Sunglasses: Channel your inner metalhead with these classic 80s-style sunglasses, the perfect accessory for any fan of the era.
• Heavy Metal Parking Lot (DVD): The cult classic documentary short that inspired a scene in “We Summon the Darkness.”
• Funko Pop! Horror Classics: Add a touch of horror to your collection with Funko Pop figures from classic horror movies.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Black Funeral” – performed by Mercyful Fate

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

🤨 FAQ

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