MGM
free-base on King ’s 1989 novel of the same name , this horror film adopt bestselling novelist Thad Beaumont as he decides to withdraw his playpen name , “ George Stark , ” and holds a mock burial for him , only for Stark to become an literal soul hellbent on terrorizing Beaumont and everyone close to him as revenge for his “ demise ” years before .
The Dark Halffailed to recuperate its $ 15 million budget , making around $ 10.6 million at the box authority . Like the most recent version ofSalem ’s Lot , this moving-picture show was lucky to have been issue at all , as it had finished shoot for two years by the time Orion Pictures decided to distribute it . The Dark Halfmay be a bit too dramatic for modern appreciation , but the film has garner considerable praise and deserves greater recognition from interview . Now that Halloween is almost here , it ’s clock time to dig deep into the annals of spooky picture palace and explore whyThe Dark Halfis such an underrated picture show .
MGM
The Dark Half has a clever story
One can well ascertain parallels between this film and James Wan ’s cockamamy 2021 slasher film , Malignant . However , you could see how King got intake from his own life to create perchance one of his most personal storey . like to Beaumont , King used the pen name “ Richard Bachman ” to write a smattering of narrative in his other years , includingRage , The Long Walk , andThe Running Man . finally , King ’s identity as Bachman was exposed , so the generator subsequently hold his alter - ego had died .
Audiences have seen many photographic film that show a character with a sinister ringer or change ego . But King ’s real - aliveness inspiration makesThe Dark Halfa distinctive news report with a unique take on the “ evil counterpart ” image — one that appeal a creative someone ’s concern of express themselves to the earthly concern . The reason for Stark ’s existence may not be fully explained in the film , but that only makes his villainous fibre more terrifying .
The movie was directed by a Hollywood legend
The plastic film edition ofThe Dark Halfwas publish and directed by horror fable George A. Romero , who revolutionized the genre in the ’ 60s with his scummy - budget classicNight of the Living Dead . Having been a frequent partner of King ’s , Romero does an outstanding occupation fetch the source ’s story to the big screen . He was even propose for Best Director at the Saturn Awards for his work on the moving picture .
The acclaimed director crafts a unequaled and chilling dark fantasy withThe Dark Half , which presents a howling blend of Gothic atmosphere , procedural crime drama , surreal visuals , and gory body horror . For the most part , Romero does n’t take the bloodshed to its limit , but he instead craft great tension that builds up to the film ’s gripping decision , which feature a character ’s gruesome death by birds that arguably putsAlfred Hitchcockto shame .
The concern cistron that Romero puts into his film is only elevated byaglorious , eery account from composer Christopher Young ( Sinister).The Dark Halfcertainly is n’t the manager ’s best work , but it is a fresh , notable part of Romero ’s filmography that both invokes and departs from his typical marque of zombi flick .
The film’s stacked cast has an Oscar winner and a Guardian of the Galaxy
Led by Oscar winner Timothy Hutton ( The Haunting of Hill House ) , the cast ofThe Dark Halfincludes notable actors like Amy Madigan ( Twice in a Lifetime ) , Michael Rooker ( Guardians of the Galaxy ) , Robert Joy ( The Hills Have centre ) , Royal Dano ( Twin Peaks ) , and Julie Harris ( The Haunting ) . It is deserving noting that the latter was nominate for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in this film .
Though Hutton did n’t receive any accolades , the actor shines inThe Dark Halfwith his fantastic two-fold performance as the soft - mannered sub Beaumont and the evil , switchblade - wielding Stark . Since Hutton starred in this film when he was considered a nice guy rope in Hollywood , theOrdinary Peoplestar stand out as he exhibit his versatility as an player . His Stark persona may be a cliché baddie , but Hutton does a great job transforming into the minacious killer whale , especially when he turns into a decay agent of death .
All in all , The Dark Half‘s unparalleled narrative , talented cast , and completed director make the celluloid an entertaining fright - fest that audience should look at with just as much praise as King ’s or Romero ’s more beloved stories . This movie should also be consider by horror fan appear for a good scare this Halloween .
The Dark Halfis streaming onTubi .
