Sub-Genre: Psychological Monster Movie
U.S. Release Date: 2006 (Straight to DVD)
Running Length: 1 hr. 24 min.
MPAA Classification: Unrated (violence and some gore, mild language, brief nudity)
Cast: Shawn Pyfrom, Reed Diamond, Ellie Cornell, Greg Grunberg, Lucy Lawless
Director: Michael Hurst
Screenplay: Michael Hurst, Mark A. Altman
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A mental patient (Reed Diamond) suffering from amnesia is given an experimental drug to help him remember. He suffers a violent reaction to the drug, and it appears that it did not have the intended effect. Frustrated, he flees the hospital and befriends a teenage boy named “Stanley” (Shawn Pyfrom of the TV show Desperate Housewives). While helping Stanley cope with his poor relationship with his stepfather (Greg Grunberg of the TV show Heroes), the man starts to catch glimpses of an evil demon from his terrible past.
Overall, The Darkroom is an moderately creative and enjoyable film by director Michael Hurst (Room 6, House of the Dead II). The story, while not exceedingly dynamic, is compelling enough to maintain interest. The acting performances by the cast members were slightly better than one would expect from an independent horror flick. And, while only a minimal part of the film, the gore and monster makeup was also well done.
However there was nothing particularly memorable about the film, nor was there any aspect of the movie that really stood out. The film didn’t spend much time with story or character development, and it almost felt like Michael Hurst knew what he wanted for the beginning and the ending, but couldn’t figure out what to put in-between.
That aside, if you’re looking to rent a slightly better than average psychological monster movie, than perhaps you will find The Darkroom worthwhile.
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