Reviews: The Dark and the Wicked (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Horror
Subgenres: Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller, Dysfunctional Family, Folk Horror, Satanic, Wilderness
Exploring The Dark and the Wicked (2020) through our review, we cover its story, scares, and how it fits into the broader horror genre landscape.
The Dark and the Wicked (2020) is an intensely atmospheric psychological horror film that thrives on dread, isolation, and slow-burning terror. Directed by Bryan Bertino, the film follows siblings Louise (Marin Ireland) and Michael (Michael Abbott Jr.), who return to their family farm to care for their dy**g father.
The Dark and the Wicked (2020) – A Relentless Descent into Dread
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
From the moment they arrive, something feels deeply wrong. Their mother (Julie Oliver-Touchstone) exhibits strange, unsettling behavior, whispering to unseen forces and warning them that something evil is lurking in their home. As the days progress, paranoia, hallucinations, and unrelenting terror consume the siblings, forcing them to confront a supernatural force that feeds on despair.
The film explores themes of grief, familial trauma, and existential horror. Instead of offering clear answers, it immerses viewers in a bleak, oppressive world where the horror is both external and internal.
Acting and Cinematography
The performances in The Dark and the Wicked are powerful and deeply unsettling.Marin Ireland delivers a raw, emotionally charged performance as Louise, portraying anguish, fear, and psychological deterioration with chilling authenticity. Michael Abbott Jr. is equally effective, serving as the rational but powerless sibling trying to resist the inevitable.
Visually, the film is striking and relentlessly bleak.Cinematographer Tristan Nyby utilizes cold, muted colors, dim lighting, and slow camera movements to amplify the feeling of inescapable doom. The use of long, lingering shots and minimal soundtrack builds unbearable tension, making every scene feel thick with dread.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Bryan Bertino (best known for The Strangers) masterfully crafts a suffocating, slow-burn horror experience. He forgoes traditional jump scares in favor of creeping, inescapable terror. Every moment is imbued with unease, and as the film progresses, the sense of helplessness becomes overwhelming.
Strengths:
- Deeply unsettling atmosphere – The film immerses viewers in a constant state of dread, making every moment feel suffocating.
- Minimalistic but effective storytelling – Rather than relying on exposition, the film lets the horror unfold naturally, leaving the audience as helpless as the characters.
- Strong lead performances – Marin Ireland and Michael Abbott Jr. deliver hauntingly believable performances that enhance the film’s emotional weight.
- Genuinely terrifying sequences – The horror here is brutal, psychological, and unrelenting, with moments that linger long after the credits roll.
Weaknesses:
- Lacks narrative clarity – While the film thrives on ambiguity, some viewers may find the lack of explanations frustrating.
- Slow pacing – The film’s deliberate, methodical approach to horror may alienate viewers expecting a more conventional narrative.
- Not for casual horror fans – This is a bleak, nihilistic film with no sense of relief, making it a tough watch for those unprepared for its intensity.
- Repetitive tension-building – Some sequences feel stretched out, making certain moments lose impact.
Final Verdict: 7/10
The Dark and the Wicked is a masterclass in atmospheric horror, delivering relentless dread and powerful performances. However, its slow pacing, ambiguous narrative, and emotionally draining experience make it a divisive watch. Horror purists and fans of slow-burn psychological horror will appreciate its craftsmanship, while mainstream audiences might find it too bleak and methodical.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- The Dark and the Wicked Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 7.28/10
- IMDB: 6.1/10
- MetaCritic: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 9.0/10
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