The Dark 2018
Directed by
Justin P. Lange
Made by
Dark Sky Films
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of 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.
Louise and Michael, two siblings, return to their Texas family farm due to their father’s deteriorating condition, which leaves him bedridden and unresponsive. Their mother, who is visibly disturbed, expresses a wish for them to leave the property. Tragically, she takes her own life by hanging in the barn and inflicts harm upon herself before that, which shocks the siblings to their core.
As time passes, Louise and Michael begin to uncover the tragic circumstances surrounding their mother’s demise. The nurse caring for their father confides in them, revealing that she overheard their mother’s whispers to their father, suggesting a presence that was not him. In a heartbreaking moment, Michael discovers their mother’s diary; its pages are filled with her terrors regarding an unnamed being, which she feared was threatening their father.
During their mother’s burial, they encounter Father Thorne, a priest who claims to have known their mother, raising more questions than answers. That same night, he mysteriously appears outside their farm, beckoning to them before vanishing into thin air. Meanwhile, Charlie, a ranch hand living nearby, experiences a horrifying vision of Louise that drives him to take his own life.
Unaware of Charlie’s fate, Louise tries to contact him but fails. Out of concern for their father’s safety, the siblings call for a doctor, who confirms that their father’s condition is critical and that moving him could be fatal. The eerie events continue as they find their entire herd of goats brutally slaughtered, leading them to dispose of the carcasses in a bonfire.
As night falls, the supernatural takes a darker turn when Michael encounters an apparition of their mother in the barn. In a haunting nightmare, Louise faces an entity attempting to possess her before witnessing her father levitate ominously against the ceiling.
Tragedy strikes again when Charlie’s granddaughter visits the farm, bringing with her a dark energy that reveals itself as the malevolent entity imitating her. Shortly after, the nurse, now possessed, violently lashes out at Louise, culminating in a gruesome act of self-harm.
Meanwhile, back at his home, Michael discovers the lifeless bodies of his wife and daughters, victims of a gruesome tragedy, leading him to a desperate act of his own. Just as he realizes he has been deceived by the entity, it appears that his family, thought dead, emerges alive.
As the night deepens, Louise awakens to find her father slipping away. The moment he passes, the sinister being claims her as well, leading to a chilling conclusion to their nightmare.
Timeline
Track the key events of 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.
Return to the Family Farm
Louise and Michael return to their family farm in Texas due to their father’s deteriorating health. They find him bedridden and unresponsive, which sets a somber tone for their visit and hints at the trauma they are about to face.
Mother's Distress
Upon arrival, their mother displays visible signs of distress, expressing her desire for Louise and Michael to leave the property. This unsettling atmosphere begins to foreshadow the tragic events that follow.
Tragic Loss
In a shocking turn of events, their mother takes her own life by hanging in the barn after inflicting harm upon herself. This tragedy deeply traumatizes Louise and Michael, leaving them to grapple with their grief and confusion.
Whispers of the Past
As time passes, Louise and Michael start uncovering the horrible circumstances surrounding their mother's death. The nurse caring for their father reveals that she overheard their mother whispering ominously to their father about an unknown presence.
Discovery of the Diary
Michael finds their mother’s diary, which is filled with her fears about a menacing being she believed was threatening their father. This revelation adds layers to their mother's tragic fate and intensifies their quest for the truth.
Encounter with Father Thorne
During their mother’s burial, Louise and Michael meet Father Thorne, a priest who claims he knew their mother. His presence raises more questions and hints at deeper connections to their family's dark past.
Mysterious Apparition
That same night, Father Thorne mysteriously appears outside the farm, beckoning to them before vanishing without a trace. His cryptic behavior leaves Louise and Michael feeling unsettled and confused about their current situation.
Charlie's Horrifying Vision
Nearby ranch hand Charlie experiences a terrifying vision of Louise, which ultimately drives him to take his own life. Unbeknownst to Louise and Michael, this tragic event is yet another connection to the dark forces at play.
Concerns for Their Father
Worried about their father's critical condition, Louise and Michael call for a doctor. The doctor confirms that moving him could be fatal, which further complicates their already dire situation.
Goat Slaughter
The siblings discover their entire herd of goats brutally slaughtered on the farm. They are forced to dispose of the carcasses in a bonfire, further deepening the sense of malevolence surrounding them.
The Barn Encounter
As night falls, Michael encounters an apparition of their mother in the barn, filled with dread. Louise experiences a haunting nightmare with an entity attempting to possess her, which heightens their sense of danger.
Charlie’s Granddaughter Arrives
Charlie's granddaughter visits the farm and inadvertently brings with her a dark energy. This dark presence begins to mimic her, revealing itself as the malicious entity that has haunted the family.
Possession and Violence
The nurse, now possessed by this malevolent force, lashes out at Louise in a fit of rage. This violent encounter culminates in a gruesome act of self-harm, showcasing the entity's influence over her.
Michael's Tragic Discovery
Michael returns home only to find the lifeless bodies of his wife and daughters, victims of a grotesque tragedy. This shocking moment drives him into despair, leading him to contemplate drastic actions.
The Sinister Conclusion
As the night deepens, Louise awakens to the grim reality of her father's passing. In a chilling twist, the sinister entity claims her as well, leading to an unsettling conclusion to the siblings' horrific nightmare.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring The Dark (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Josef Hofer (Karl Markovics)
Josef Hofer is the bedridden father whose deteriorating health catalyzes the events of the film. His condition not only heightens the tension but also raises questions about his connection to the supernatural occurrences. As a once-active figure in the family, his presence looms over the narrative, symbolizing the pain of fragility and the impact of unresolved family issues.
Louise (Nadia Alexander)
Louise is one of the central siblings grappling with her mother’s tragic death and the consequences it has on her family. Her strong disposition is tested as she navigates eerie occurrences and the emotional toll of loss. As the story unfolds, Louise transforms from a protective sister into someone confronting dark truths about her family.
Michael (Chris Farquhar)
Michael is the other sibling who, alongside Louise, is embroiled in the mystery of their mother's death. His character reveals strength yet vulnerability, as he faces both the haunting of the past and the implications of his mother's diary. Michael’s journey is pivotal as he grapples with despair, ultimately leading to a tragic revelation.
Father Thorne (unknown)
Father Thorne is a mysterious priest who claims to know the family's matriarch, complicating the siblings' understanding of their mother's life and death. His enigmatic appearance raises questions about faith and morality amid horror. He embodies the thin veil between solace and the supernatural, leaving the audience questioning his true intentions.
Setting
Uncover the settings of 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
The movie is set in a contemporary timeframe, reflecting the challenges and complexities of modern family dynamics. As the siblings navigate their mother’s tragic death and their father's declining health, the emotional weight of their experiences resonates with the audience, highlighting themes of grief and loss in the present day.
Location
Texas family farm
The Texas family farm serves as the primary setting for the movie, representing a place of childhood memories and deep-rooted family ties. Known for its vast open spaces and rustic landscape, it becomes a haunting backdrop as tragic events unfold. The farm encapsulates both the warmth of familial bonds and the eerie presence of past traumas.
Themes
Explore the core themes of 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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Grief
Grief is a central theme in the movie, depicted through the siblings' emotional turmoil following their mother's suicide. Their struggle to cope with the loss is amplified by supernatural occurrences that force them to confront their family's dark history. The theme highlights the often unbearable pain of losing loved ones and the haunting aftermath it leaves behind.
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Supernatural
The supernatural elements in the film serve to heighten suspense and fear, blurring the lines between reality and the unknown. Apparitions and malevolent forces create an atmosphere of tension and dread, reflecting the characters' inner demons and unresolved issues. This theme explores how the past can haunt the present, both in life and death.
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Mystery
Mystery permeates the narrative as Louise and Michael delve into the circumstances of their mother’s death. The cryptic revelations from the nurse and the eerie presence of Father Thorne add layers of intrigue, compelling the siblings to uncover unsettling truths. This theme underscores the idea that some answers might be too painful to confront.
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