Kevin Bacon may be the recognizable veteran of Hollywood but it’s hard to imagine that after star turns in APOLLO 13, FOOTLOOSE and THE FOLLOWING his acting career was kickstarted with the original FRIDAY THE 13TH. Here, Bacon returns to the genre along with Radha Mitchell (SILENT HILL, THE CRAZIES) in a formulaic slice of Hollywood horror in the vein of DARK SKIES and THE CONJURING.

 

After a family trip to the Grand Canyon, the Taylor Family bring something back that should have remained. Son Michael’s (David Mazouz) autism becomes the blame for mysterious events surrounding him but as a dark force takes control of him, the sinister notions of what is happening threaten the whole family. Added to the family is a teenage daughter (Lucy Fry) wanting of attention and voila, the Hollywood family are all present and correct. Mitchell and Bacon do what they do best and what comes so naturally to them however, the film needs so much more.

 

Directed by Greg McLean (WOLF CREEK), THE DARKNESS is worlds apart from the brutal outback of his previous work and instead slowly builds up the tension with the action unfolding in the closing chapter of the film. For fans of the Blumhouse school of horror should know what to expect here but THE DARKNESS fails to bring anything extra to the table. Where SINISTER had a similar set up, it’s captivating videotapes and chilling score made it an instant classic. Where INSIDIOUS bought interdimensional travel and DARK SKIES made aliens scary again, THE DARKNESS just doesn’t feel any where near as fresh.

 

With a great cast, some edge-of-your-seat drama, reasonable supernatural elements and a tight script, there’s nothing wrong with this but unlike the band of the same namesake, lacks that pizzazz that is so wanton.