An intriguing but flawed indie
Lea Fisher is a detective in the game Painkiller. All of her friends have died, and she’s determined to find out who killed them. ..
As the game progresses, players will be able to uncover a dark secret that could have serious consequences for the town and its residents. The mystery is thick and the stakes are high, so be sure to stay tuned for what happens next.
The film does a good job of establishing the setting and the characters, but it falls short in terms of its plot. The main character is developmentally slow and her story feels like it’s being told in a loop. There are also some inconsistencies that make it difficult to follow the story.
In the film, we follow Lea as she interviews with the police about her experiences with Tamara. We learn a lot about Lea and Tamara during this time, but the film often loses focus on plot logic and instead becomes frustrating because of it.
A new character, Lukas, is introduced to the story. He is also a police officer like Tamara. The majority of the film focuses on him and Tamara as they try to figure out who or what is behind the murders that are happening around them. They learn more about Lea’s game and as they investigate, they begin to understand more about the mythology that has come from it. ..
The Darker The Lake is a film that features the consequences of playing a deadly game. The film is convoluted and the flashbacks are quite distracting, so it’s not as good as many of the films that have come before it.
Despite its flaws, the film’s narrative is well-done. The setting in Austria is beautiful and atmospheric, adding a nice touch to the story. While the lake itself is not particularly dark, it’s still an impressive sight. ..
The film’s moody score and sparse special effects make it a well-done thriller.
There are many positives to this film, but I have a feeling that there is a better version out there. Characters sometimes mention events that we don’t actually see, so I’m suspicious of some scenes being cut from the final cut. And as the film seems to hop from one scene to the next quite randomly at times, there is further evidence of over-editing. I might be wrong, of course, but I am trying to give the filmmaker’s the benefit of the doubt here.
The film is frustrating because it offers no clear answers to its questions, leaving us with a sense of unease but no real understanding of what’s going on. We are left to wonder what could have led these people to such a terrible fate, and why Alpha is so interested in our town.
We know that there is more to the mystery than this dark force as we learn of a series of watches that seem to drive people a little crazy. There is also the suggestion that it is the power of a person’s belief in mythology that can make them do strange things. What is the answer? Well, it’s hard to tell as the film’s ending is incomplete, perhaps because a sequel is planned.
The film has its moments of entertainment, but it’s not a perfect movie by any means. If you’re looking for a well-made film with a logical story and characters you can connect with, this one might not be for you. ..
This isn’t a film that deserves to be trashed and forgotten, but there are other films in this genre that are better and have more satisfying endings. If you notice it online, go ahead and give it a try, but be prepared for an occasionally enjoyable but often baffling experience. ..
