The Dark Stranger (2016)

How sad is this?

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

Lovely little movie right here, presenting a story rarely used, with a way better execution and quite good actors.Stephen McHattie does it again, comes in and steals the show as a dark, mysterious man, just like he did in Haunter (2013). Teaming up with Enrico Colantoni, you can be sure to have at least a A- acting style. The plot itself is lovely to watch, if your eyes are set on the horror industry of course, and if you are able to appreciate smaller productions, do yourself a favor and find this one.The visuals are beautiful, the story goes on at a good pace, the reveal is nice but the ending feels forced. Quick and easy, perhaps some more time was needed on the climax, but nevertheless I took the film for what it was, a nice change of direction, pace, and a different way to tell a horror story. I will definitely recommend this one.Cheers!

I'm a big Stephen McHattie fan so when The Dark Stranger came along I had to take a peek.This film has a lot of good, very creative ideas but somehow its comes across as rather nondescript. There is nothing wrong with the performances from the cast, with McHattie fitting snugly into the role of The Dark Stranger. Where this film falls down, is in its pacing and the fact well, its really not all that exciting. The key issue here is this is, at its heart, a horror thriller and its really neither of these things in enough "measure" to really hold the viewers attention. I frequently found myself distracted by other things, not a good sign. In short, The Dark Stranger is not a bad film and the ideas are good but there's just not enough happening to really bring this film to life.Six out of ten from me.

I love making reviews for movies that surprise me. I write and do some drawing, but just for fun and catharsis, and sometimes loosing myself into the magic world of imagination.We have the story of a young woman (our heroine), who have depression and anxiety, and also agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house). She is visited by a therapist because of that, and it is implied that could perhaps try to attempt against her own life. She lives with her loving father and a brother who always want to skip school and feels ignored. This family had suffered the lost of a loved one: the mother, who had committed suicide after a heated argument with her daughter (and alcoholism was the reason).The loving father do the best he can with all his family have to deal with.Soon a stranger shows interest in that mother artwork, and our heroine is very suspicious of him. At the same time she had started to drawing again, only that this time she does it with her own blood and while in a trance... and she thinks that influenced by a character she call "The Dark Stranger". Reality and fantasy start to mix and boundaries seems blurring.And finally we know from the stranger interested in art the real identity of "The Dark Stranger".I loved the idea, and how the narrative caught my attention, and keep me interested.In other side the lead actress surprised me, I never had seen her before, she was quite believable.I love Enrico Colantoni, he is always awesome. The rest of the cast was nice, specially "The Dar Stranger"The worst: no explanation or more deep backstory, and some characters are lost in the movie, making a little plot hole.The best: the script was so original, the setting was pretty much fairy-tale that I loved it. And the special effects are pretty decent.8/10 RecommendedWe all are critics. Watch at your own risk.Greetings from Uruguay.

I'm following horror scene of Canada since the brilliant Ginger Snaps movies. They always come up with captivating concepts, stories, imagery and really good acting performances.Female lead is something I love in horror movies. The Dark Stranger has a beautiful one... One thing I love Canadian horror movies is the faces are familiar - like people next door but somewhat cuter and more charismatic. Everything they do, say, expressed feels natural.I totally LOVE the story. As an "artist" myself it resonated with me in many levels. Coming back and forth between fantasy world and the "real" world gave the movie a modern world fairy tale feel which is something I also love very much.I have to admit I discovered Katie Findlay with this movie. She reminds Katharine Isabelle to me but not because they are similar in any way - they are not. But because Katie Findlay is bedazzling and bewitching like Katharine Isabelle in her own unique way.Enrico Colantoni is one of my favorites since the sitcom Just Shoot Me. He performed his character far from being pretentious - very modest and understanding father figure and very real. Actually he acted exactly like a real father act in real world in situations like this.Stephen McHattie is very charismatic guy and does the job well. Rest of the cast with Jennifer Dale, Mark O'Brien, Alex Ozerov, Emma Campbell played their parts extremely well to support the story of the leading character and created very much believable atmosphere around her. After sometime with that type of cast and acting, the story totally takes you in.The only thing I personally didn't liked so much in this movie is overall look and cinematography. Shots are very well done compared to the budget but I'd expect a bit more dark, moody, gloomy atmosphere, colors and lights for a story like this. Other than this I enjoyed everything they done with this movie.I'm glad I didn't passed this one and I actually rarely write that much detailed reviews but I really enjoyed this flick and I wanted to show my support and appreciation to obviously hard work they put in this movie.Again the story was just wonderful. This even could be a wonderful bedtime story for me when I was a little kid...I have to note that I have no relation with this production whatsoever and this is not a "paid review" - nor anything like that. I had to say this because I'm seeing from other movie reviewers that when they see a good critique on a less popular, budget movie they tend to think the good reviews are paid. Check my other reviews and general look of my account and you'll see I'm legit.Enjoy!