Dark Harvest (2023) 

This movie is not what i was expecting, starting wickedly with a strange folk rite that ends gruesomely and going down some pretty wild rabbit holes. There is a heavy throwback feeling, especially given the 60’s timeframe and aesthetic, with the flavor of an 80’s splatter horror film. This is another film reveling in a Halloween vibe, with creature designs suggesting Pumpkinhead and Sam had a secret love-child. There is copious gore,creative kills, with veritable buckets of blood being spilled. The direction is very sound, although most of the nighttime scenes could use a bit more lighting , there are some excellently staged shots and great imagery. While unfamiliar with the source material, there is some decent meat on the script, although certainly not the film’s strongest feature. The basic plot is engaging, but when the film tries going for deeper themes or ideas they tend to fall flat. There are conspiracies and hidden secrets, but most of it plays out predictably. The dialogue and performances tend towards over-the-top, but there is a decent crop of younger actors doing above serviceable work, although the main character feels a bit insufferable. On the whole, this is the very definition of a ‘B’ movie, a lot more fun than expected, well directed with good practical effects, and definitely worth an October watch.

B