Dark Night of the Soul movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Dark Night of the Soul

This new thought-provoking drama premieres on Amazon on November 12, 2024.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 20 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: C

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about a scientist who gets trapped in her car after a car accident she caused out in the wilderness. She reflects on past relationships and decisions she’s made.

The film was written and directed by S. J. Creazzo.

THINGS I LIKED:

Kristanna Loken is the star of the movie. You might remember her from Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. It drove me nuts to watch her character reading notes while she was driving instead of paying attention to driving. The consequence was immediate and realistic.
If you’ve been watching the TV show Cobra Kai, you’ll get a kick out of seeing Martin Cove.
The rest of the cast includes actors from other TV shows you’ve probably seen before: Paola Paulin, Jesse Kove, Gabrielle Kalomiris, and Courtney Warner.
The film was shot on the scenic landscapes of Windham and Prattsville in New York state.
The scientist tries to figure out what caused a worldwide strain, which provides an interesting mystery throughout the story.
There are some great nuggets of wisdom in the dialogue.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The movie bounces from the car accident to conversations with loved ones. In the beginning, it’s hard to know if the protagonist was thinking of a memory or if her mind was inventing the new conversation. That might confuse some viewers.
Occassionally, the car radio turns on and off. It’s hard to know if that’s really happening or, again, if the protagonist is making it up in her head.
Some of the dialogue feels very forced and wooden.
Not all of the acting is great.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be bored.
Some profanity, including F-bombs
We see some bloody wounds.

THEMES:

Survival
Control
Progress
Evolution
Hope
Pandemic
Relationships
Memories

FUNNY LINES:

None worth noting.

INTERESTING LINES:

“I keep my commitments.” – Alex (Kristanna Loken)
“It’s an excuse. I don’t do that.” – Alex (Kristanna Loken)
“There are constants, unchanging standards that are used in determining varying outcomes….I am the constant.” – Alex (Kristanna Loken)
“Those who embrace control embrace the variables that throw us out of control.” – Dad (Martin Kove)
“Human beings evolve. We progress, we move forward, or we die.” – Dad (Martin Cove)
“I wonder if humans are the virus.” – Alex (Kristanna Loken)
“Treating people equally is objectively crazy because not any one person is the same. We’re all different with different needs.” – Lori (Courtney Warner)
“Humans have the power of choice, the freedom of will, the ability to forge ahead and fulfill great destinies. But you are choosing not to evolve, grow. You are choosing to be still. Stay on this path and you will surely fail. ” – Amazonia (Gabrielle Kalomiris)
“We must move forward or we die.” – Alex (Kristanna Loken)
“Control is a myth.” – Michael Tanner on the radio
“Control is choice based on research.” – Alex (Kristanna Loken)
“The only true constant in life is the unexpected.” – Amazonia (Gabrielle Kalomiris)