Darkness and Breaking Through to the Light: A Movie Review

Writer: Martin Nemec.

Breaking Glass Pictures is a film distribution company from Richard Wolff and Richard Ross. This label releases twelve titles a year and one of their upcoming releases is the Czech Republic shot horror feature Darkness. The film will be available September 7th on DVD and the film could easily be categorized as a haunted house themed picture. However putting creativity in to little boxes is not always this simple. Darkness transcends this genre by adding in traumatic childhood memories, a historical reference to the Nazi occupation of the Czech Republic, and a troubled character surrounded by even more troubled female characters. The film is simply a delight to watch.

The film centers on the musician Marek, who is played by the prolific actor Ivan Franek. Marek retires to his childhood home in order to escape the fast life of the rockstar lifestyle. Here, things get more complex, with ghosts seeping out of the retreat's floorboards and walls. A World War II German euthanasia project has left several "invalids" (Darkness) trapped between the world of the living and of the dead. Marek must solve the mystery of his often moaning abode before he loses his own mind and life.

Europe after so many years still has a strong tie with history and specifically with the last European war that this material often makes its way in to its cinema. This is also the case with Darkness. However, there is some repetition with the use of the material, as Brett G. notices from the horror review site Oh, The Horror: "Nazi atrocities are chilling examples of human depravity, but even they feel a bit worn out." The Nazi torture of several youths is central to the story and to some of the characters. The use of this sub-plot has been done before, but its influence in the story is part of only one scene and its introduction breaks up the film with the use of flashbacks.

A large chunk of the film is spent with the character Marek; his investigations in to the house's dark past brings up some dark memories, which he must face to let go of the past. Most adults can remember at least one time being locked up as children, but do you have a memory of being locked up in a dank basement by a sadistic sister? This is the past that Marek must uncover, as he remembers being tortured by his cruel, murderous sibling. Help comes from the beautiful paramour Lucie (Lenka Krobotova). However, even she has a dark, fatalistic past tied with Marek's home.

The film offers some nice twists and turns, plus at least one character reveal. As well, the film is watchable on a couple levels e.g. psychological, character development and entertainment. Darkness is not out to educate audiences on history, but the film is entertaining, light-hearted, sometimes scary, and fun. The only drawbacks for North American audiences will be the use of sub-titles, which are required and some of the cultural references, which are obscure. Overall, Darkness sails by at an alarming rate, with some interesting characters and a climactic conclusion brightening the way.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (-1 for not explaining the sister's motivations, -1 for no hint as to the future of Marek's character, -.5 for the overuse of a single set, with so many other buildings available - necessary to break up the picture).

The film has more details at Breaking Glass Pictures (trailer available):

Darkness at the Film's Distributor

The Breaking Glass fan page:

Breaking Glass on Facebook

A review of the film at Oh, The Horror:

Darkness at OTH