We Summon the Darkness

Saban Films | Release Date (Streaming): April 10, 2020

5.0	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Ratings

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Mjcarrillo96Aug 5, 2020

There's nothing wrong here with the premise or even the acting. I would even say this might be Alexandra Daddario's best performance and the cast is clearly having fun. I also liked all the character archetypes that were set up. ButThere's nothing wrong here with the premise or even the acting. I would even say this might be Alexandra Daddario's best performance and the cast is clearly having fun. I also liked all the character archetypes that were set up. But unfortunately, each character's desire line feels so unclear, leaving many scenes with empty space and characters doing nothing. After 40 minutes, it becomes pretty clear that the film doesn't quite know how to fill up its already short runtime.

Also, I rarely make this complaint, but this movie definitely isn't violent enough for the kind of cult horror it's going for. There's some witty and crude dialogue but after so much bark and less bite, the film begins to lack a sense of excitement or danger. I really just went in expecting a mindless slasher flick and it doesn't even really deliver on that regard. There are far worse horror movies, but beyond a good cast and pleasant 80's throwback aesthetic, there isn't too much to offer. Although they might be comparable in overall filmmaking quality, I would say something like The Babysitter (2017) makes for a more worthwhile crazy-cult slasher comedy.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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bfoore90Nov 14, 2020

Alot better film than I expected. More of a comedy than a horror film or even a thriller because alot of the dialogue is played for laughs and theres alot of situational comedy involving the 3 girls, 2 of whom are idiots. Johnny Knoxville isAlot better film than I expected. More of a comedy than a horror film or even a thriller because alot of the dialogue is played for laughs and theres alot of situational comedy involving the 3 girls, 2 of whom are idiots. Johnny Knoxville is good, albeit in a rather small role.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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umaumaiMay 7, 2020

As someone who loves music and goes to see a lot of rock shows, I really enjoyed the setup to this 80’s period thriller. It recalls an unprecedented manic time where the music scene had dramatically risen and influenced a new generation withAs someone who loves music and goes to see a lot of rock shows, I really enjoyed the setup to this 80’s period thriller. It recalls an unprecedented manic time where the music scene had dramatically risen and influenced a new generation with the advent of MTV. (Though that’s not directly brought up in the film.) The acting here is really good even if the motivation and characterization of the female leads is sometimes in conflict with their back story. While you can see the broad strokes of the plot coming, I was pleasantly surprised with a few of the twists. My biggest complaint is that the filming was kind of frenetic along with everyone’s exaggerated motions and movement in the parking lot scene. It really stood out to me like sober people acting drunk. I’m sure it was an aesthetic choice by the director or the DP, but it was a bit much even if it was to help build some anxiety-driven tension. I think that this early use of energy leads to the film feeling like it’s dragging a bit in the final act. I’d say it’s worth a watch for anyone who can handle seeing what would be a modest amount of blood for a slasher flick. I definitely think that if you were alive and remember all the media hype during this time that fed parents fears of devil music getting ahold of their children that you should check this out.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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viroodiemJun 20, 2020

Lets start off, people claiming this does not look anything like the 80s are looking at the wrong (lamer) side of the 80s. This doesn't look like Stranger things and the people who lived through that part of the 80s apparently forgot what theLets start off, people claiming this does not look anything like the 80s are looking at the wrong (lamer) side of the 80s. This doesn't look like Stranger things and the people who lived through that part of the 80s apparently forgot what the edge end of the 80s looked like.

Visually everything is very authentic. To the Jeep Cherokee (before they added grand) To the metal head girl look of a bleach blonde with brown eyebrows, To talking about Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer instead of groups like Iron Maiden and Ozzy. The ONLY inauthentic thing I saw was a modern 100$ bill amongst period appropriate 100s. The look, the feel, the dialog, makeup, even casting fit well with the late 80s aesthetic of the 1988 period this is set in.The trio of girls look like they just stepped out of Great White's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" video.(Forgot just how amazing jeans of that era looked) Even the "satanic panic" of that period was represented.

Now past that even the plot is reminiscent of 80s slasher flicks, just with its twist.

For what it was it is the best representation of the 80s I have seen. That does not mean its a great film. It is definitely watchable and the story gave me a few good laughs along the way. If it had not been a period piece it would have only netted a 5 in my book. Where they absolutely nailed the 80s metal aesthetic Ill gift it 2 additional points to bring it up to 7. Just a shame this couldn't be cranked up to 11. Even still its one of the most accurate depictions of the 1980s to come out of this recent rash of 80s nostalgia in TV and film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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TryASummersaultApr 13, 2020

They summon the mediocrity, and that's about it.
Suddenly even VOD releases are now coveted and sought out with the current insanity, but don't fall for this lowest common denominator cliche nonsense of a film. It's marketed as yet anotherThey summon the mediocrity, and that's about it.
Suddenly even VOD releases are now coveted and sought out with the current insanity, but don't fall for this lowest common denominator cliche nonsense of a film. It's marketed as yet another 80's themed nostalgia trip with a slasher horror Genre focus. Well to be honest it's neither and truly an embarrassing low budget production. It's really just a bunch of cliches around every corner intertwined in a really shallow story with extremely unlikable characters. There's a few references to Metallica and some leather/chains and they think that's enough to make it (80s fare). The attempted slasher aspects come off as cheap dark comedy and the big twist was pretty lackluster. Knoxville was really the only thing worth anything as it was interesting seeing him in this type of role.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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AWESOM-0Aug 16, 2020

Much better than expected and Daddario really pulls off the psycho well. I think the people who say this doesn’t look like the eighties maybe never grew up in the 80’s. That or they just have a very limited view of what the 80’s looked like.Much better than expected and Daddario really pulls off the psycho well. I think the people who say this doesn’t look like the eighties maybe never grew up in the 80’s. That or they just have a very limited view of what the 80’s looked like. To me this represents the late 80’s very well. The metal scene during that era was big and the Bible thumping religious zealots who declared it satans music, was all over the place.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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