Hold the Dark 2018
Directed by
Jeremy Saulnier
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Hold the Dark (2018). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In December 2004, a writer named Russell Core, who specializes in wolf behavior, receives a call from Medora Slone to travel to the remote village of Keelut, Alaska. Medora seeks Core’s help to hunt down the wolves that are suspected of causing the tragic disappearances and presumed deaths of three young children, including her own 6-year-old son, Bailey.
Upon arriving, Core stays at the Slone residence, where he engages in conversations with Medora about the missing children. She reveals the existence of hot springs just north of town, igniting Core’s curiosity. One peculiar night, he is awakened by the sound of Medora whispering and bathing. Dressed in a dark wooden wolf mask, she approaches him and, after removing the mask, insists on intimacy by forcefully moving his hand to her neck.
Meanwhile, Medora’s husband, Vernon Slone, serves overseas in Iraq, portrayed as a ruthless soldier adept at taking down militants. One harrowing day, he discovers an American soldier assaulting a local woman and decides to intervene violently, leading to a deadly confrontation. Although he survives a gunshot at a checkpoint, the trauma lingers.
The next morning, Core ventures into the wilderness to track the wolves. He encounters an elderly native woman named Illanaq, who warns him that he is heading in the wrong direction and cryptically mentions that Medora “knows evil.” During his exploration, Core stumbles upon the hot springs Medora spoke of and witnesses a pack of wolves feeding on their offspring. Tormented by the sight, he chooses not to harm them and returns to Keelut only to find Medora has vanished, leaving behind an unlocked cellar door.
Descending into the cellar, Core discovers Bailey’s frozen body, leading him to call for immediate assistance. The local police investigate the gruesome scene, while native villagers claim Medora is under the influence of a malevolent wolf-demon known as a tournaq.
In the meantime, Vernon reconnects with his old friend Cheeon, who is also grieving the loss of his child. They meet at the airport and subsequently join forces with Donald Marium, the police chief, as they gather at the morgue. Unbeknownst to them, Vernon unleashes chaos by shooting the officers after being provoked into a corner, and he, along with Cheeon, ritualistically buries Bailey’s body, marking the grave with their blood.
As Core recalls Illanaq’s ominous warning about Medora, the police mobilize to apprehend Cheeon, who violently retaliates against them with an M60 machine gun, resulting in significant casualties. In a parallel storyline, Vernon, driven by past demons, meets an old hunter named John, who attempts to help him confront his psychopathy rooted in wolf lore. After a brutal confrontation, Vernon dons a wolf mask and kills John, solidifying his descent into darkness.
Core and Marium piece together that Medora may have sacrificed Bailey to shield him from impending darkness. They contemplate her whereabouts—potentially back at the hot springs. Meanwhile, Vernon, consumed by hallucinations of Medora, commits another gruesome act, killing his old friend Shan when he informs the police of Vernon’s presence.
At the hot springs, an eerie confrontation unfolds where Marium is shot by Vernon, who is now completely enveloped in his wolf persona. Core, determined to save Medora, encounters her in a tense moment before Porter, in a final fit of rage, shoots him too.
As Core drifts into unconsciousness, Medora manages to dislodge the mask from Vernon, leading to a fleeting moment of connection before Core succumbs. When he awakens, he finds himself in a hospital room, his daughter Amy by his side, while Vernon is seen in the snow, digging up Bailey’s grave with Medora, their grim intentions unfolding amidst the haunting backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness.
Timeline
Track the key events of Hold the Dark (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Russell Core's Arrival
In December 2004, writer Russell Core, an expert in wolf behavior, travels to the remote village of Keelut, Alaska. He is summoned by Medora Slone, who seeks his aid in dealing with the wolves allegedly responsible for the tragic disappearances of children, including her own son, Bailey.
Conversations and Confessions
Upon his arrival, Core stays at the Slone residence, engaging in detailed conversations with Medora about her missing son. During these discussions, Medora mentions the existence of hot springs north of their town, piquing Core's curiosity about the area and its significance.
A Disturbing Encounter
One night, Core is awakened by Medora whispering and bathing while wearing a dark wooden wolf mask. After she removes the mask, the encounter turns intimate and forceful, revealing the complexities of Medora's character and escalating the tension between them.
Vernon's Overseas Trauma
Meanwhile, Medora's husband Vernon serves in Iraq, where he witnesses an American soldier assaulting a local woman. This traumatic event compels Vernon to intervene violently, illustrating his brutal nature and the psychological scars he bears from war.
Core's Wilderness Exploration
The next morning, Core ventures into the wilderness to track the wolves. During his journey, he meets an elderly native woman named Illanaq, who cryptically warns him that he is heading in the wrong direction and hints that Medora knows evil.
The Haunting Vision
As Core continues his search, he stumbles upon the hot springs and witnesses a pack of wolves feeding on their offspring. Tormented by this sight, he chooses not to interfere but returns to find that Medora has mysteriously vanished, leaving the cellar door open.
The Gruesome Discovery
Down in the unlocked cellar, Core uncovers the frozen body of Bailey, leading him to call for immediate assistance. This chilling discovery prompts an investigation by local police, who are shocked by the grim revelation.
Claims of Supernatural Influence
While the police investigate the scene, native villagers reveal their beliefs that Medora is possessed by a malevolent wolf-demon referred to as a tournaq. This introduces an element of supernatural folklore that surrounds the tragedy and Medora's actions.
Vernon and Cheeon's Reunion
Vernon reunites with his old friend Cheeon at the airport, both grieving their lost children. They soon join forces with Donald Marium, the police chief, to uncover the truth behind the tragic events unfolding in their community.
Vernon's Violent Outburst
In a fit of rage, Vernon shoots police officers after being provoked, causing chaos and confusion. This violent act marks a pivotal moment, showcasing Vernon's complete descent into madness and desperation over the loss of Bailey.
Ritual of Grief
After the confrontation, Vernon and Cheeon conduct a ritualistic burial for Bailey, marking the grave with their own blood. This act symbolizes their deep grief and the lengths to which they will go to honor their lost children.
A Descent into Darkness
Struggling with his psychological demons, Vernon encounters an old hunter named John. This meeting leads to a brutal confrontation, ultimately resulting in Vernon killing John while donning a wolf mask, underscoring his transformation.
The Search for Medora
Core and Marium deduce that Medora may have sacrificed Bailey to protect him from a looming darkness. They set their sights on the hot springs, believing that this may lead them to understanding Medora's actions and state of mind.
The Final Confrontation
At the hot springs, Core confronts Vernon, who is now fully immersed in his wolf persona. In a chaotic exchange, Marium is shot by Vernon, demonstrating the dire consequences of the madness that has enveloped them.
A Haunting Ending
As Core loses consciousness from a gunshot wound, Medora dislodges Vernon's mask, revealing a fleeting connection between them. Upon awakening in a hospital with his daughter Amy by his side, the grim reality unfolds outside with Vernon digging up Bailey's grave.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Hold the Dark (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Russell Core (Jeffrey Wright)
Russell Core is a writer with a scientific background in wolf behavior, drawn into a web of sorrow when he arrives in Keelut. His journey reflects an internal struggle as he grapples with the horrors surrounding him, while he tries to decipher the enigmatic Medora. Core’s compassion stands at odds with the dark events uncovered during his investigation.
Medora Slone (Riley Keough)
Medora Slone is a grieving mother enveloped in tragedy, driven to summon Core to hunt the wolves. Her character oscillates between vulnerability and a dark, primal intensity, especially as her unresolved pain manifests in increasingly disturbing ways. Medora's enigmatic nature leaves audiences questioning her motivations throughout the film.
Vernon Slone (Alexander Skarsgård)
Vernon Slone embodies the trauma of war, struggling to return to normalcy after serving overseas. His descent into madness and violence highlights the psychological toll of military service and loss. As the narrative progresses, he shifts from a hardened soldier to a tragic figure engulfed by his dark urges.
Donald Marium (James Badge Dale)
Donald Marium is the local police chief, caught between his duties and the unfolding horrors in Keelut. He is drawn into the chaos surrounding the Slones and must confront the violence that erupts from both external and internal sources. Marium represents the struggle of law enforcement in dealing with unimaginable tragedies.
Cheeon (Julian Black Antelope)
Cheeon is a fellow grieving parent who forms a bond with Vernon over their shared losses. His character evokes the deep-seated pain inherent in a community affected by tragedy. As events spiral, Cheeon becomes intertwined with the violent confrontations that ensue, representing the raw rage of a grieving father.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Hold the Dark (2018), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
December 2004
December 2004 is marked by a conflicted world, with international tensions influencing personal narratives. The time period encapsulates themes of loss and trauma, both on a global scale with soldiers overseas and on a local level with the tragic events affecting the Slone family. This backdrop serves to heighten the emotional stakes of the characters' experiences.
Location
Keelut, Alaska
Keelut is a remote village in Alaska, shrouded in mystery and harsh weather conditions. Known for its haunting landscapes and extreme cold, it becomes a backdrop for the eerie events of the movie. The village's isolation amplifies the sense of danger and foreboding that permeates the story.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Hold the Dark (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Sacrifice
The theme of sacrifice weaves through the narrative, particularly through Medora's drastic actions to protect her child from perceived harm. This notion extends beyond personal loss, touching on the sacrifices made during war and the horrific lengths individuals may go to in order to shield loved ones from darkness. It raises questions about morality and the choice between self-preservation and protection.
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Isolation
Isolation is palpable in the wild and unforgiving landscape of Alaska, encapsulating not just physical distance but emotional disconnection. The characters are each trapped in their personal struggles, compounded by their environment. This theme underscores the impact of loneliness on mental health, leading to dark choices that propel the narrative forward.
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Violence
Violence manifests in numerous forms throughout the film, from domestic to battlefield confrontations. The narrative illustrates how violence not only affects relationships and personal identities but also echoes across generations. It examines the cyclical nature of trauma and how it shapes the human experience in extreme situations.
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