Dark Corners (2006)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Ray Gower

Writer:

Ray Gower (written by)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Terror Breeds in the Shadows of the Soul

Plot:

A troubled young woman (Birch) wakes up one day as a different person - someone who is stalked by creatures. |

Plot Keywords:

Pregnancy | Funeral | Police Officer | Torture Chamber | Embryo

Cast

Thora Birch	...	Karen Clarke / Susan Hamilton
Toby Stephens	...	Dr. Woodleigh
Christien Anholt	...	David Hamilton
Joanna Hole	...	Elaine Jordan
Lorraine Bruce	...	Mary Sullivan
Ray Charleson	...	Mr. Kirke-Smith
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Dr. Richardson
Alan Perrin	...	Det. Jackson / Flint
Oliver Price	...	Needletooth
Glenn Beck	...	Mr. Saunders
John Bown	...	Old Man
Sheryl Gannaway	...	Judith Palmer
Barbara Keogh	...	Old Woman
Ian Porter	...	News Anchor
Dominic Potter	...	Evil Kid

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA | Australia:MA (2007) | Argentina:16 | Singapore:M18 | Italy:T

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Matador Pictures

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the scenes where someone is driving, take note that they're driving the British way (where this film was made) on the left side of the road. In the US (where this film takes place) driving is on the right, not the left.

Don't believe the bad rep about this movie.

At least until you've seen it for yourself. A relatively small number of people have voted on it, so its rating is up in the air. Anyway, I found this movie to be very interesting. Here's what I have to say about it. My summary is at the top and the longer explanation is at the bottom.

SHORT: Genuinely frightening and dark, as well as psychologically complex and chilling. If you can look past the non-linear plot and confusing pace of the film, then you will enjoy this addition to the horror movie genre. 6 out of 10.

LONG: This movie can be somewhat confusing and its direction takes a very schizophrenic approach to showing events in the movie. That can understandably be a turn off for some people, but the fact of the matter is that the direction is one of the elements that helps make Dark Corners a scary flick. From the get-go you have no idea if what the heroine is experiencing is real or imagined. The story follows the life of a woman who's trying to get pregnant; at night she has nightmares and cycles between her life and that of the woman in her dreams.

In the dark surrealistic world of her dreams, she sees people being violently murdered and is killed herself several times. The multiple cuts from fantasy to reality, as well as the camera angles help to unsettle the viewer and put them on edge, leaving them vulnerable to the movie's numerous scare scenes. And as much as they would cut from one scene to another, I never felt cheated or that it was over-done, because Karen's story with her pregnancy would always advance at an adequate pace. As for story, it cryptic all the way to the end, yet we are given small clues along the way. The ending itself is a little flat, yet creepy and appropriate.

The acting was awesome. I loved Karen's actress and that of her husband; they had great chemistry that made you want to watch their banter scenes. Supporting characters were okay. I felt their character parts were more of a draw than what the actual actors brought to the table.

Scares. This movie is genuinely scary! At times it is disgusting and disturbing, but does not have over-the-top gore. It doesn't rely on cheap jump-out scares too much, but instead relies on atmosphere and horrific situations. The two scenes in the mortuary were really what got me. You have to see them for yourself--classic, grade-A American horror. I was impressed.

So for its great scares, atmosphere, and good characters and acting, I give Dark Corners a 6 out of 10. Though the direction and pace of the film may be confusing and off-putting, the plot and story are there. This film is also more entertaining then a lot of other direct-to-DVD horror flicks that have more linear plots, yet look like they were made for the Sci-fi channel. *cough* Bottom Feeder *cough*