Hold the Dark

Netflix | Release Date: September 28, 2018

5.2	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 89 Ratings

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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 violentA 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.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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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.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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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.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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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