Super Dark Times

Name: Super Dark Times
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: September 29, 2017
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Adea Lennox, Amy Hargreaves, Charlie Tahan, Elizabeth Cappuccino, Ethan Botwick

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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Super Dark Times

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Movie Details & Credits

Orchard, The | Release Date: September 29, 2017 | Not Rated

Starring: Adea Lennox, Amy Hargreaves, Charlie Tahan, Elizabeth Cappuccino, Ethan Botwick, Justin Rose, Max Talisman, Owen Campbell, Philip H. Ashley, Sawyer Barth

Summary: Enjoying their normal lives in mid-’90s suburbia, Zach and Josh are best friends with numerous shared interests, chief of which is an attraction to their classmate Allison. One seemingly routine day, along with two other friends, Zach and Josh borrow the latter’s older brother’s prized samurai sword to goof around in the local park. But theEnjoying their normal lives in mid-’90s suburbia, Zach and Josh are best friends with numerous shared interests, chief of which is an attraction to their classmate Allison. One seemingly routine day, along with two other friends, Zach and Josh borrow the latter’s older brother’s prized samurai sword to goof around in the local park. But the afternoon soon spirals out of control. Wracked with guilt, Zach struggles to assimilate back into high school life, even as Allison begins to show a romantic interest in him. The situation gets even more complicated once Zach notices a disturbingly off-balance change in Josh’s behavior.… Expand

Director: Kevin Phillips

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

Chuck Wilson

Oct 4, 2017

Both a thriller and meditation on the loss of innocence, Super Dark Times is rich with the minutiae of a bygone era...but Phillips and screenwriters Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski press hard against the instinct for nostalgia. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Sheila O'Malley

Sep 29, 2017

Super Dark Times has a deeply unnerving mood, more unnerving than "what happens." Read full review

The Film Stage John Fink

May 1, 2017

Virtually free from quirk and black humor, the film is an effective, nasty thriller and a rare horror film that provides an emotional investment because the portrait of teenhood is utterly authentic. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Aug 22, 2018

The grey gathering gloom that hangs over Super Dark Times seeps into your bones. Read full review

Fionnuala Halligan

Mar 16, 2017

Phillips’ collaborators work in harmony with the natural, nuanced acting; credits across the board are stylish and smooth, with lensing a standout. Also of particular note is the design; a rich, forest-driven colour saturation which suits the hooded houses and shadowy driveways of these traumatised teens. Read full review

A.A. Dowd

Sep 27, 2017

Did the super dark times need to arrive at all? If the scenes of shit-kicking naturalism feel authentic, the thriller that replaces them — a kind of junior "A Simple Plan" — relies too heavily on unconvincing psychology. Read full review

Jacob Oller

Aug 4, 2017

Phillips simply tries to do too much. Read full review

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User Reviews

WheatThicks123

Jan 5, 2018

This is a pretty incredible little film. It manages to capture everything I want to see in a thriller/drama. The acting is fantastic, the cinematography is beautiful, the music perfectly captures every emotion in the scenes, and the story is absolutely great for it being so simple. NothingThis is a pretty incredible little film. It manages to capture everything I want to see in a thriller/drama. The acting is fantastic, the cinematography is beautiful, the music perfectly captures every emotion in the scenes, and the story is absolutely great for it being so simple. Nothing is exaggerated, everything seems as real as possible without getting boring.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MNBA

Jan 23, 2021

Damn, forgot what it was like to be a teenager in uncontrolled environments when bad things had the potential to escalate. And the characters, one in particular, certainly captured that vibe of a personality at a crossroad. Forgot about those kids that you’d hang out with but could make youDamn, forgot what it was like to be a teenager in uncontrolled environments when bad things had the potential to escalate. And the characters, one in particular, certainly captured that vibe of a personality at a crossroad. Forgot about those kids that you’d hang out with but could make you feel uneasy -most of ‘em turn out alright :/

A good little sleeper hit (I don’t know if it’s a sleeper or not, maybe people know about it). Captured that 90s vibe fairly well too, as well as River’s Edge vibes.

Also, it’s dark.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Feb 4, 2018

Secrets always find its way out!

Actually not a bad film. Seeing the poster, you can expect the kids films like 'ET', 'Stand By Me', 'Goonies', et cetera kind. But it was a different. More matured kind of narration. Then the characters are still teenagers and as usual their mischievousSecrets always find its way out!

Actually not a bad film. Seeing the poster, you can expect the kids films like 'ET', 'Stand By Me', 'Goonies', et cetera kind. But it was a different. More matured kind of narration. Then the characters are still teenagers and as usual their mischievous lands them a big trouble. So the four friends set to wander around, but soon when they met with an accident, they decide to resolve it in their way. But it begins to take a twist when one of them goes berserk. Once again, they have to come up with something to end it all for good. It becomes more intense and ends with a decent finale.

The casting was so good. These boys were really great. The story does not look that fine, but the way it was made and performances puts it on the top. Looks like they are future big stars. It was from a cinematographer turned filmmaker. It's his first direction and a fine debut. I don't know the title meant exactly what the it had narrated, but convincing enough. So one of the decent thriller from the year, definitely worth a watch.

7/10… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

temptershell

Dec 10, 2017

Quite good drama with great potential and a very dark message. The film shows how deep can darkness sit in us and how dangerous is the period of puberty. Fine acting and great soundtrack.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

TryASummersault

Oct 5, 2017

Critics sure do have a thing for barebones simple indie horror with nostalgic themes. This story is rather uneventful but the 90's nostalgia and solid acting performances keep it somewhat interesting.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

geewah

Jan 4, 2021

Saw this on the recommendations of the critics but found it to be a movie that starts with promise but by it's final act has become rather disappointing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

seanfriend23

Dec 12, 2017

This movie starts out great setting up for what should have been a great story. However the second half squanders into trying to be a horror film with unbelievable villain and hero characters. The ending of this movie is one of the worst of all time. This movie is not good.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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