Classic Cinemas

Your worst fear is your only hope.

Age restriction: 18+

A young girl lives in a deep, dark forest, hidden away in an old house and surrounded by the darkly beautiful art she creates. Mina is different, marked by the damage wrought upon her. Some of it is the trauma of a long-ago past, while the fresher wounds are the result of her regular hunting activities. Mina has become a monster who stealthily hunts and devours all who wander into her sphere. All, that is, until a damaged young boy is left in her warpath, and nothing will ever be the same again.

Aptly titled, THE DARK is a beautiful, soul-searching, and emotional rollercoaster ride that feeds upon and renews the dark energies of Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN. Writer/director Justin P. Lange (making his feature debut) presents a tale in which those who create monsters are the true source of nightmares, and those who react like monsters are not always evil. Produced in Austria – a country known for their infrequent yet always fascinating and fearless approach to the horror genre – THE DARK will take you on a journey to the point at which fantasy and reality collide. Featuring wonderful performances by its two young leads, Nadia Alexander (BLAME) and Toby Nichols (TRUMBO), this is a horror film that doesn’t let go of empathy. Here be monsters, but THE DARK is more human and optimistic than the vast majority of films you will see this year, and clearly announces a bold new talent on the scene.

Co-presented by the Melbourne Horror Film Society.