By Romey Norton - November 7, 2024
From Trick Candle Productions comes the thriller-drama film Dark Night Of The Soul, starring Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines / Bloodrayne) and Martin Kove (Cobra Kai, Karate Kid, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood).
Dark Night of the Soul follows a renowned scientist Alex who gets trapped in her car after a horrible crash. Isolated and alone, she must overcome her physical injuries and emotional issues with her father to survive, as she holds the key to curing a virus that is ravaging the world. It is a slow burner of a film as there is a lot of talking, a lot of self-discovery and a lot of standing (or sitting) around. But if you’re a fan of drama’s, then persevere as the concept is interesting and the acting is decent.
The film uses flashback sequences/hallucinations to motivate Alex to help herself to then save millions of lives from a killer virus. Sometimes these work, and other times the flashbacks are cheesy and overused. To drive the story the focus should have been on Alex breaking free and navigating herself through the woods to find help. Alex spending so much time stuck in the car makes the film lack excitement and action.
Whilst the script is easy to follow, there are times where there is very little dialogue, especially at the start, where we need more to truly understand and feel why Alex and her findings are so important.
Because the story isn’t difficult to understand or follow, and not having any twists or turns or hidden agendas, some viewers might find the film boring and will easily disengage. I, however, enjoyed the slow, easy ride and wanted to know what happened to Alex, as the idea of being in an accident, alone with no help is a scary thought.
The acting is to a high standard. Loken portrays her character as strong but with rooted emotional issues that she knows she must overcome to truly save herself. She also does well in holding her scenes by herself, but is strongest when she’s with Kove. The two have a wonderful chemistry, where they bounce off one another, making their scenes the most entertaining.
With a predictable, happy ending, the film will leave you feeling fulfilled as it comes full circle. Ultimately, Dark Night of the Soul is about a woman who goes on a journey of self-acceptance, and forgiveness, so she can take back control of her life. Dark Night of the Soul is an interesting, thought-provoking watch.
Dark Night of the Soul releases on digital platforms November 12
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