Netflix | Release Date: September 28, 2018
5.2
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 89 Ratings
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Positive:
30
Mixed:
32
Negative:
27
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5
ValeliSep 30, 2018
A very well-filmed movie. Very atmospheric, and featuring actors who I thought did a good job pretty much across the board.

The actual plot, such as it is, doesn't really go anywhere. The entire movie transitions from a thriller to violent
A very well-filmed movie. Very atmospheric, and featuring actors who I thought did a good job pretty much across the board.

The actual plot, such as it is, doesn't really go anywhere. The entire movie transitions from a thriller to violent pulp to I'm not sure what, and ends up as nothing more than a vehicle for symbolism. I don't like that. Symbolism is well and good, but you can fit it into a movie that tells a coherent story. I just felt vacant and a bit drained after watching this. Maybe that's the point, but I'm not sure why it should be.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
JLuis_001Sep 29, 2018
In some years I think this film will be seen as a setback for Jeremy Saulnier. A small one but certainly a setback and I don't say it because the quality of this film is questionable, because in reality it's not like that. I say it becauseIn some years I think this film will be seen as a setback for Jeremy Saulnier. A small one but certainly a setback and I don't say it because the quality of this film is questionable, because in reality it's not like that. I say it because even though we can notice his growth as a filmmaker and that this film is very different and bigger than ''Green Room'' to some extent ''Hold the Dark'' feels somewhat empty and extremely ambiguous.

The symbolism weighs on the film but never feels guided and the way it builds the mystery feels too weak despite the interesting premise and the conclusion doesn't really help to understand the concept of the whole story. Macon Blair disappointed a bit with this script to be honest.

Jeffrey Wright is the best actor in the film, not for nothing he appears alone in all the publicity while Alexander Skarsgård has his second consecutive film on Netflix where he barely leaves an impression while Riley Keough is painfully wasted.

Hold the Dark is not a bad film but I honestly expected something more, much more. Good for Netflix for giving it distribution and adding a good film to its catalog which is plagued with more poor quality than good quality. It will hardly be a memorable film but I think it's worth it.
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4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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4
TuneisonSep 29, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I watched this film a second time because I was reading so many positive opinions I thought I might have missed something. Maybe this was just a gem of film making I overlooked. Nope, I still think it's garbage, sorry.
I can't deny that the film is very well need. The lighting of many of the scenes was visually creative and the slow cinematography helped establish the tone. It would be impossible for me not to mention that a lot of the acting is very well done and, the worst actors always seemed to be the people who had 2 or 3 lines. Basically everything on a technical level is well done and, is what saves this film from being an absolute travesty.
However, the film's biggest flaw is the script. Initially, we are presented with a very serious tone. The story is presented as realistic and, it keeps up that sense very well. All up until a character just starts shooting a semi-automatic weapon outside of a window. I get that people wouldn't be able to kill him initially from the initial shock and, many of them would be slaughtered but, how during that 30 second period of him reloading did none of the officers hit him? There were like 70 **** bullet holes and, not one person was able to land a shot on him. Not to mention from the direction and camera work of the scene, it was implying that there was like 3 people still alive. Not to mention, a semi-automatic weapon would not be anywhere near as accurate as it was portrayed to be. So the realism of the story and any believability the story had fell out of the window with that character.
Not to mention, the script itself was just very boring. Characters are essentially card board cut outs going from Point A to Point B in the story. Our main character has about as much personality as a saltine cracker and, he's the most developed one. Not to mention the story itself is so minimal I thought I had missed something which, was another part of the reason I re-watched it. I checked everywhere but, nope, I missed nothing, it's just a very weak story. I know the boring point is very subjective. Because I do accept this film has an audience and, I know for a fact after this, Murder Party and, Green Room, Jeremy Saulneir's movies aren't for me.
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3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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4
Iamcritical86Jan 14, 2021
Another one of those drawn-out films where the actors just stand there, blank faced, no body language and you can't hear a bloody word any of them are saying cause they're all whispering and mumbling under their breath! The whole movie had aAnother one of those drawn-out films where the actors just stand there, blank faced, no body language and you can't hear a bloody word any of them are saying cause they're all whispering and mumbling under their breath! The whole movie had a slow, almost lethargic feel to it. There's some beautiful scenery to take in - that's about the most interesting part of this film. The rest of it was a bore! Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
garmonboziaOct 14, 2018
What I took from this movie is an interesting concept. It was like downgrading humans to their instincts. Nature isn't "evil", so the characters in this movie aren't either - if they follow the same rules as animals - and they are animals.What I took from this movie is an interesting concept. It was like downgrading humans to their instincts. Nature isn't "evil", so the characters in this movie aren't either - if they follow the same rules as animals - and they are animals. The problem is I don't know what kind of movie I've watched. Was it a story about genetically inherited mental illness or a dark fairytale about mythical creatures living among us. I prefer the second option as it is easier to swallow. But even then the film seems to be a bit pointless, because as an entertainment it's too slow and too vage. The atmosphere is great, the actors do a great job, the cinematography is beautiful, but the story haven't got a necessary impact to be considered worth watching. It's like an artsy-fartsy version of a B-movie. Average score from me. Mediocre movie with an interesting / half realised concept. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
fonzeaOct 10, 2018
Like his previous films, Saulnier's 'Hold the Dark' is expertly crafted and well acted, however that's about as far as the praise goes.

The film lacks a hook that rewards re-viewing. It's difficult to root for the characters as they are
Like his previous films, Saulnier's 'Hold the Dark' is expertly crafted and well acted, however that's about as far as the praise goes.

The film lacks a hook that rewards re-viewing. It's difficult to root for the characters as they are about as cold and lifeless as the place the film is set in, with their motivations cryptic at best, and downright illogical and stupid at most.

In conclusion Saulnier brakes a few of his own tropes with regards to suspense and realism, and I doubt many viewers will feel that their two hours of viewing was worth it.
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
assaedOct 14, 2018
فيلم رتيب و مضجر و لا انصح بمشاهدته فكرة الفيلم مقبولة نوعا ما و لكن التنفيذ دون المأمول
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
OrukayuJan 22, 2023
Adventure film adaptation of the 2018 book making. The children of women officers in the army in the Middle East husband lived in Alaska disappearing. Woman says she missed the children's book by wolves and researchers concerned with theAdventure film adaptation of the 2018 book making. The children of women officers in the army in the Middle East husband lived in Alaska disappearing. Woman says she missed the children's book by wolves and researchers concerned with the wolves or wolf calling to find his son. Man finds worms, but does not believe kidnapped their child. While the injured woman's husband sacked and sent home. Wolves man coming home finds no women at home this time and the child's body. So far I've written most normal portions. After turning into chaos. The movie has some scenes containing nudity places. I think prior to making sense of the film's useful to read the book. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
AllanbaxterOct 5, 2018
I watched Hold The Dark last evening and I have to say it's just Ehhh. I wanted to start liking it more, but it just didn't come together for me. I think Netflix has to have the attitude they want to make good movies and not just movies thatI watched Hold The Dark last evening and I have to say it's just Ehhh. I wanted to start liking it more, but it just didn't come together for me. I think Netflix has to have the attitude they want to make good movies and not just movies that there is lots of killing with a really, really bad plot line. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
qbaseDec 26, 2018
Ένα αλλόκοτο, σκοτεινό, δραματικό και έντονα ατμοσφαιρικό ταξίδι. Το «Hold the Dark» είναι σίγουρα κάτι παραπάνω από ένα απλό και συνηθισμένο φιλμ τρόμου...Ένα αλλόκοτο, σκοτεινό, δραματικό και έντονα ατμοσφαιρικό ταξίδι. Το «Hold the Dark» είναι σίγουρα κάτι παραπάνω από ένα απλό και συνηθισμένο φιλμ τρόμου...
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
AlexKallinskyFeb 26, 2019
A confusing, boring movie with some decently strong performances as well as a couple surprising turns. I know that contradicts, but that's how I feel.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
RecepAug 15, 2019
Film çok yavaş ilerliyor ve 2 saat 5 dakika geçmek bilmedi bi yerindeki aksiyon sahnesi güzeldi gerisi çok basit hikayeside anlamsiz yani izlemeye gerek yok boşuna zaman öldürürsünüz 4 puanda bir çatışma sahnesine birde baştaki ufak gerilimeFilm çok yavaş ilerliyor ve 2 saat 5 dakika geçmek bilmedi bi yerindeki aksiyon sahnesi güzeldi gerisi çok basit hikayeside anlamsiz yani izlemeye gerek yok boşuna zaman öldürürsünüz 4 puanda bir çatışma sahnesine birde baştaki ufak gerilime veriyorum Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
geewahJan 5, 2021
What starts out as a promising thriller slips into a confused and chaotic mess by the end.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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