It’s not thanks to usual dedicated star performers Maria Bello (“Navy CIS”, “A History Of Violence”) and “Game Of Thrones”/”Lord of the Rings” veteran Sean Bean that “The Dark” just won’t ignite . The problem with the work of the mainly profiled as an episode director of series like “Orphan Black” or recently “Devil In Ohio”. John Fawcett is the writing. Below we explain in more detail what is wrong with the German-British co-production. But to keep it short here:
You don’t have to tune in when “The Dark” airs today, March 17, 2023 at 11:20 PM on Tele 5.
If you watch the movie – maybe because of the protagonists? – still want to watch, but the date doesn’t suit you, there are alternatives. You can watch the thriller at any time and at no extra cost as part of various streaming subscriptions, for example Prime Video or Joyn+.
You can of course choose the title FSK 16 Blu ray or DVD* Profits from online retailers such as Amazon.
“The Dark” on Tele 5: That’s the story
Adelle (Maria Bello) lives with 11-year-old Sarah (Sophie Stuckey) in New York, while husband/father James (Sean Bean) has separated and started a new life as a dropout on the Welsh coast. Hoping to reunite the family, mother and daughter follow him.
Hardly arrived at her remote destination, Adelle is plagued by horrifying visions about her little one. These all take place on the edge of the imposing cliffs where James’ new home stands. A little later, the girl, who was just happily playing by the sea, disappears without a trace from one moment to the next.
Despite an extensive search involving the police, divers and lifeboats, Sarah remains missing. Suddenly Ebrill (Abigail Stone), who is about the same age, appears on the premises and according to police files, he is said to have died more than 60 years ago. Everyone is at their wits end until farmhand Dafydd (Maurice Roëves), who lives on the farm with James, mentions a Celtic legend. It says that the dead can return to our world in exchange for human sacrifice…
“The Dark” is a disappointment
“The Dark” is based on the novel “Sheep” by Simon Maginn, which was published in German under the title “Opferlamm” (currently out of print!). However, screenwriter Stephen Massicotte (“Ginger Snaps III: The Beginning”) changed and rewrote not only the characters and their circumstances, but also the main plot of “Sacrificial Lamb”. For example, James and Adelle have lived together in Wales from the start, have a much younger son instead of an eleven-year-old daughter and are mourning the death of a second, older child. The servant hardly plays a role, but the sheep that graze around the farm are even more important in the book and so on…
Even the mythology, scientifically established by historians and anthropologists, about the mythical part of the Celtic underworld Kingdom of Annwn, which plays an important role in the second half of the film, was partly simply changed by Massicotte. Some things are only explained very vaguely or very simplified and therefore seem contradictory or inscrutable. This, in turn, should lead to many viewers having trouble understanding and being puzzled by what’s happening on screen.
In our official FILMSTARTS review, which gives only one meager star (out of a total of five!), we also complain that “The Dark” contains a wealth of other logical errors, gaps and inconsistencies and is therefore unconvincing from start to finish . The shock and horror elements are also boldly borrowed from much better titles like “Poltergeist” or “Ring”. Time and again expectations are raised in the audience by promising creepy and exciting things that are ultimately not fulfilled. A feeling of disappointment inevitably arises.
In the end, the film’s only real plus is probably the rugged coastal scenery beautifully captured by German lead cameraman Christian Sebaldt (“Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse”). However, the whole thing was not really filmed in Wales, but – rather banally, to save tax – on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea between Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.
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