A Dark Song

Name: A Dark Song
Genre: Drama, Horror
Released: April 28, 2017
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 71

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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A Dark Song

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: April 28, 2017 | Not Rated

Summary: An unholy alliance between two damaged souls leads them on a disturbing descent into the depraved realms of black magic. Sophia (Catherine Walker) is a grieving mother desperate to make contact with her murdered son. Joseph (Steve Oram) is an anti-social, alcoholic expert in the occult who reluctantly agrees to help her. Holed up in aAn unholy alliance between two damaged souls leads them on a disturbing descent into the depraved realms of black magic. Sophia (Catherine Walker) is a grieving mother desperate to make contact with her murdered son. Joseph (Steve Oram) is an anti-social, alcoholic expert in the occult who reluctantly agrees to help her. Holed up in a remote cabin amidst the desolate wilds of Northern Wales, the two embark on a grueling six-month series of dark rituals that will push them both to the physical and psychological breaking point. [IFC Midnight]… Expand

Director: Liam Gavin

Genre(s): Drama, Horror

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

Marc Savlov

May 31, 2017

It is, in fact, an instant classic, the sort of film that will make you check under your bed at night and then amplify into terror the midnight creaks and 3am breezes that unsettle every house at times, most especially yours. Highly recommended. Read full review

Matt Donato

Mar 24, 2017

A Dark Song digs its claws in and never lets go, finding horror in rituals, personal reflection and burning black-magic sensations. It’s dreadfully inviting from start to finish, with an almighty climax at just the right time. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Apr 27, 2017

The movie dives into the black arts with methodical restraint and escalating unease. Read full review

Kevin Harley

Apr 27, 2017

With the scares stealthy, Gavin’s parable draws power from the heart’s shadows: the climax may alienate some, but its audacity is earned. Read full review

Alan Scherstuhl

Apr 26, 2017

The performances are strong and the scenecraft absorbing. Read full review

Robert Abele

Apr 27, 2017

The two leads are resolute soldiers about it all, but they’re dutifully edgy elements in a stylist’s frame instead of fully realized characters living out what is supposed to be the riskiest time of their lives. Read full review

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User Reviews

AthanasiosT

Jul 28, 2017

Dark poetic horror. That's how I can characterize this excellent film. Atmospheric with a realistic approach to magic rituals. Directing, acting, photography of a very high level. I'm glad to discover modern horror films, that try to abstain from splatter and SFX, while creating aDark poetic horror. That's how I can characterize this excellent film. Atmospheric with a realistic approach to magic rituals. Directing, acting, photography of a very high level. I'm glad to discover modern horror films, that try to abstain from splatter and SFX, while creating a transfixing horror build-up. It reminded me of "The Witch"; the other horror masterpiece I recently saw.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

juanuxsape

Jul 15, 2018

Great acting and strong story, although it’s a sometimes slow movie, it delivers some beautiful scenes and not horrifing, but intense moments which make this movie unique in it’s own way.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Aug 18, 2017

The dark as it gets!

It was too slow, one of those films that tests your patience. Not your regular horror flick, but the ingredient was little different than the usual for such theme. A limited cast film and most of the story takes place in an isolated mansion somewhere in Ireland. WhereThe dark as it gets!

It was too slow, one of those films that tests your patience. Not your regular horror flick, but the ingredient was little different than the usual for such theme. A limited cast film and most of the story takes place in an isolated mansion somewhere in Ireland. Where the two people assemble to do some kind of ritual to open the door for the dark force, as well as opposite to that with a reason. Very challenging attempt, had to go through many troubles in the process. But how it all turns out, whether they achieve what they were planning for is what takes us to the final stage where it comes to end with a tiny twist.

This is an independent Irish film. Feature film debut for the director. I don't recognise any of two actors, but they were good. Under a small cost, the film had a better quality. Well created atmosphere, the suspense kept the narration to go all way to the finale. Except the opening, the following parts lagged in any kind of development, but once the final act had begun, the scenario had changed and favoured to end high. I would say, that's what saved this film. Otherwise, I was getting ready to bash it. Yet not the best ending, an acceptable one regarding earlier section of the narration. So a decent film, that can be watched once.

6/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Aug 8, 2018

Some critics had made me believe this was actually a pretty good film but the truth is that beyond the interesting premise, the narrative is too slow and is only handled as small and disordered bricks building a climax and a conclusion that fails to feel satisfactory.
I honestly expected more.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

kuehnau

Dec 9, 2017

A Dark Song has a really interesting concept, two people embark on a journey using dark magic and rituals in order to get what they both want. As a person who really likes additional details and mechanics on how these things worked, what really kept me hooked was the contant explanation ofA Dark Song has a really interesting concept, two people embark on a journey using dark magic and rituals in order to get what they both want. As a person who really likes additional details and mechanics on how these things worked, what really kept me hooked was the contant explanation of what they were doing and why. Unfortunately, that doesn't really help the move. It's fairly slow paced, it takes a long time to lead up to anywhere and by the time you get to the end of the film, you are just left feeling empty. All that build up and then the movie just kind of poops the bed.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

jessisjudgey

Oct 4, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS. Let me summarize this movie so you don't waste an hour and 40 minutes of your life like I did. A woman grieving her murdered son hires a mystic to summon dark magic to enact revenge on her child's killers. The first hour and 30 minutes is literally just the woman and man bickering at each other like a dysfunctional married couple. He constantly tells her she's a stupid **** and even uses her as masturbation fodder under the false pretense that it's "sex magic" (LOL.) She questions every little thing he asks her to do (except when he asks her to do a striptease as he rubs one out), lies to him and jeopardizes the safety/sanctity of the ritual at every turn. Nothing interesting or significant happens until the last ten minutes of the film. Demons mess with her, she meets a god, and asks for the power to forgive. Roll credits. I haven't felt this ripped off by a horror film in many years. It's not even scary, Irish horror films usually impress me, but this poorly written piece falls flat on its face.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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