Deep Dark Review
There are many ways to approach a low budget horror film. Throw all the money at the special effects, use minimalist elements and focus on decent actors and dialogue, or embrace the quirkiness that often attends the low budget. Deep Dark goes with the latter, attaching itself to the aspects of stupidity and awkwardness that make it enjoyable. As long as you balance it with noticeably purposeful comedy and legitimate attempts at originality, you can piece yourself together a decent little horror flick. Deep Dark is able to pull this off with some fun elements and an interesting premise.
Firstly, I'd like to say this movie is extremely flawed, even for a low budget picture. Less than midway through and it is overly apparent that this film would make a much better short film than full length feature. The concept of a hole-in-the-wall creature with a woman's voice able to produce works of art for a failing artist screams of the ridiculousness that works on a small-scale, 5-15 minute runtime. Instead, the film stumbles along for an hour and a half, but eventually develops enough to warm you up to the concept.
The short film thought lingers, but eventually you appreciate the protagonist and his flesh eating, overly attached, wallpapered girlfriend. The relationship is disturbing at times, humorously disgusting, and even dramatic by the end. But any drama falls short of legitimacy because the dialogue, acting, and directing just aren't on par to make it believable. The film thrives in its quirky nook of the pitiful protagonist and his ridiculous antics to make it big as an artist. And because this is where the film is at its best, you feel the excess content is just that...excess.
The occasional work of art titling that pops up on the screen was a nice touch, as much of the film is a dark satire of the art world, pointing out the pathetic attempts of artists to deliver a "new experience" for the viewer. The djinn-like wall, granting wishes for a price, was nothing new, even if it was in a fresh, conveniently low budgeted costume behind 2 inches of dry wall.
It was nice to see the relationship with the wall develop in the manner that it did. The viewer is led to believe the "monster" is following the usual succubus trope of seduction via fame and fortune, but when the being appears to display a genuine love for our artist, the twist isn't that there's evil, but actually a misunderstood loneliness. If only the quirkiness wasn't dominating the production, you might be able to find a way to shed a tear.
Horror Qualifier: 8/10
Horror Quality: 3/10
Film Quality: 2/10