The Place For The Latest Movie Reviews
Cast: Richard Hatch, Tim Thomerson, Tiffany Shepis, Nick Baldasare
After awakening in a mental asylum, a patient plans his escape to freedom while fighting off supernatural forces in both the real world, and some that may only live inside his head. But once on the outside, he learns that the life awaiting him is more twisted and dangerous than anything he could conjur in his head, one that is luring him back to the asylum forever.
'Asylum of Darkness' tells the story of Dwight who one day wakes up in an insane asylum with no memory of how he got there. In his head there is nothing wrong with him but at the same time his doctor's face looks like it is rotting, one of the other guy's paintings actually happens in real life and he keeps getting visited by a woman he doesn't know. He is not really sure why or how he got there because to him he is as sane as the next guy but the one thing he knows for sure is he wants out no matter what.
Dwight does manage to escape but it doesn't take long for him to realizes his life just got more bizarre and insane. As soon as he gets out, he is chased by faceless people and then when he tries to track down a ride the guy crashes and the car ignites into flames. Dwight tries to help the man but when he can't he decides to take his wallet and go to his home to get some rest and food but to his surprise he gets mistaken for the man by his wife. Things get a lot a lot stranger as time goes by and Dwight begins to wonder if any of it is real at all.
I am not going to give the whole movie away here but I will say this is one of the most unique and craziest movies I have seen in a while. After the first half hour I said this looks like it could have been an episode of the Twilight Zone. And it continued as so all the way to the end. The film is filled with supernatural and psychological horror but it is also filled with mystery which keeps the audience glued to the screen for its entire run time which is a long one at an hour and 58 minutes.
The film also makes good use of some very cool and excellent practical effects which just adds to the fun. Writer/Director, Jay Woelfel has been around the block a few times and is no stranger to horror but this has to be his best film to date. The film is well-written and it does a great job at keeping the audience off guard as they try to figure out what is really going on. It is creepy, suspenseful and extremely engaging as well.
Another thing that made the film so good was the cast, for starters this is Richard Hatch's final film and he gave a terrific and creepy performance as Dwight's doctor. The film also stars the great Tim Thomerson and the beautiful and talented Tiffany Shepis herself. But to me the best performance came from Nick Baldasare who is simply amazing and very convincing as Dwight.
The film will be on VOD April 11, 2017. I am not sure it is a film for everyone but if you are a fan on Independent Horror then you owe it to yourself to check out this little gem that is sure to become a hit through strong word of mouth. Like any other low budget film it is not perfect and could have benefited from a little more money but in the end there is very little I would change about it. Easily one of the most original and entertaining horror films I have seen in a good while.
Released by Wild Eye Releasing
**** 1/2 Out Of *****