A Dark Song is a film I’ll be thinking about long after my initial viewing and for all the right reasons.
A Dark Song centers on Sophia (Catherine Walker), who enlists the help of an occultist named Joseph Solomon (Steve Oram) to perform a ritual in a secluded house with the aim of contacting her deceased son. The dynamic and interaction between Sophia and Solomon during the intense ritual are key elements of the story.
Solomon, a character marked by his own traumas and gruff exterior, contributes to the film’s building tension. The contrast between their personalities, coupled with the genuine effort and veracity of the ritual, lends the film a gradual and intense buildup. The experience is heightened when viewed in a dark room with headphones, which accentuates the eerie sound design and the striking cinematography.
Liam Gavin makes a notable directorial debut with this film. It’s psychological horror that subtly gets under your skin, eschewing the typical reliance on jump scares or graphic violence. The conclusion is gratifying, securing the film’s position as a highly commendable piece of cinema.
A Dark Song is a film I’ll be thinking about long after my initial viewing and for all the right reasons.
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
