Review of From the Dark

"From The Dark" is the little Irish film that could and by could I mean basically make a better version of "I Am Legend" than a multi-million dollar budget production did. To deny that this movie took much inspiration from the classic Richard Matheson tale is a fool's errand but they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so, for once, Matheson might not be spinning in his grave.

Indeed, much is borrowed in this endeavor. If I were to describe this movie in terms of other movies I'd say It's "I Am Legend" by way of "Rawhead Rex" with some "Nosferatu" visuals thrown in. This was both intriguing and alarming. At times, it sends up a red flag that had me cautiously watching with remote in hand in case i had to press stop. Alas, the moment never came and by the time the whole affair was over I felt quite endeared by what I had seen.

It starts generically enough with a couple taking the now tired "wrong turn" and getting lost only to come across the threat introduced in a prologue, a reawakened predator preserved in a peat bog. An ancient evil, in fact. The couple soon finds themselves fending the predator and it's victimized prey in an desolate farmhouse with scarce light as their only weapon.

The use of this device gives way to one of the film's strongest points, it's use of the dark to keep the creature mysterious and ominous at all times. And truly the choice to make it look like some descendant of Graf Orlok lends to not only the thematic structure but gives it the necessarily vicious blend of beast and man.

Much like the story it homages, the tale eventually finds our protagonist alone against a great evil and it is in the home stretch that everything really comes together in full. Up to then "From The Dark" suffers from some minor pacing issues as some elements are stretched a bit unnecessarily thin but it seems to roar back every time it comes close to losing your interest.

In the end, the good far outweighs the negative. Clever use of a plot device to hide the small budget does wonders for it, some shots and scenes are downright eerie or unsettling, and a simple and satisfying plot make it one of those sure to be small cult favorites.

"From The Dark" is not excellent but it is far from mediocre and nowhere near bad. It's a worthy addition to any horrorhound's library, especially if they enjoy something familiar, subtle, and obscure. 7/10