Into the Darkness (1986)

Directed by David Kent-Watson [Other horror films: The Eye of Satan (1992)]

This is a relatively obscure British SOV film, and there’s probably a good reason for that. It’s not entirely without merit – large portions took place, and were shot in, Malta, giving it a Mediterranean feeling – but it’s quite weak in most aspects, and it’s probably not a film that many horror fans would go out of their way to watch.

In fact, if anyone is cognizant of this movie, it’s likely because Donald Pleasence appears. He’s not the star – in fact, he doesn’t say anything until 51 minutes into the movie – but he does make some appearances, and if I’m being honest, he may even be the most enjoyable cast member of the movie.

To be fair, John Saint Ryan’s not bad. I actually think he made for a decent lead. Brett Sinclair had some strong moments, and Paul Flanagan was okay, but Pleasence was definitely where most of the enjoyment came from. The four central women – Heather Alexander, Sara Hollamby, Jadie Rivas, and Jeanette Driver – all felt somewhat interchangeable, and I’m only mentioning Polly Jo Pleasence’s short appearance out of deep respect for her father, Donald Pleasance. John Saint Ryan, Brett Sinclair, and mostly Pleasance make this movie work, as far as the performances can.

Which isn’t easy, because the story, while serviceable, is quite basic. During a photo shoot in Malta, a killer bumps off those related to the shoot. Not in exciting ways, either – in fact, most of the kills are off-screen, and what kills we do see, well, it doesn’t make an impact whatsoever.

What gives the film a bit more oompf is the Malta location – filmed in the Jerma Palace Hotel (now closed, but it was once one of the finest hotels in Marsaskala, Malta) and the city of Naxxar, Into the Darkness definitely can boast a unique location. There’s a fun scene in some catacombs, another in some old ruins. It can’t make up for how stale a lot of the film feels, but it is a fresh sight.

Even so, a lot of the film is quite dull, which can’t be a surprise, as the kills aren’t good, and while the performances can be okay, we don’t get Donald Pleasence until 50 minutes in, and it’s a bit of a drag to get there. The finale is pretty decent – we get plenty of red herrings throughout the film, and while the killer’s motive is no surprise, the identity is decently well-hidden – and perhaps the best part of the film.

The one gripe I do have about the finale is this – a woman is being chased by someone, a chase that began in a hotel room. Logically, I’d think that she would leave the hotel room and go to the hotel lobby, but what actually happens is that she leaves the hotel room, and we cut to her running outside in the deserted streets. I’m not sure how she got outside – did she run past the lobby, waving off the people with concern on their faces, so her chase could be more dramatic? I don’t know, but that scene felt so damn stupid.

Small thing though it may be, I also wanted to mention the soundtrack, filled with songs from Chris Rea. It’s not a name I actively knew before the film, but apparently he was somewhat well-known, and his music here isn’t shabby. I think the best song might be “Out of the Darkness”, but there’s another called “Love’s Strange Ways” that has a soft, atmospheric vibe to it. Definitely not a bad soundtrack, for whatever that’s worth.

Overall, though, Into the Darkness is what it is. It’s by no means a terrible movie. 80’s slashers from the United Kingdom are somewhat hard to come by (Don’t Open Till Christmas and Goodnight, God Bless are the first two that come to mind), and slashers using Malta as the prime location even rarer. Into the Darkness has some good flavor, but I honestly think it’d only attract either slasher completionists or Donald Pleasence fans.

6/10