A Dark Place (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
A Dark Place is a 2019 mystery thriller directed by Simon Fellows, starring Andrew Scott as Donald Devlin, Sandra Ellis Lafferty and Becky Wahlstrom. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $9,212 worldwide. Critics gave it 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 29m (89 min)
- Director
- Simon Fellows
- Original language
-
English
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is A Dark Place About?
The premise of A Dark Place without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a quiet community, a child’s disappearance disrupts the peace and exposes hidden tensions. Donald, an ordinary man haunted by his own history, becomes determined to find the missing child. His investigation leads him down a dangerous path, revealing unsettling secrets within the seemingly perfect neighborhood and forcing him to confront his own demons as he searches for answers.
A Dark Place Cast & Characters
Andrew Scott leads the cast as Donald Devlin, with Sandra Ellis Lafferty as Betty Devlin and Becky Wahlstrom as Tara. Directed by Simon Fellows; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Simon Fellows
-
Andrew Scott as Donald Devlin -
Sandra Ellis Lafferty as Betty Devlin - Becky Wahlstrom as Tara
- Griff Furst as Max Himmler
Also Starring in A Dark Place
· 9 more- Bronagh Waugh Donna Reutzel
- Jason Davis Jerry Zeigler
- Christian Finlayson Justin Zeigler
- Michael Rose Sheriff Benjamin Mooney
- Denise Gough Linda Connolly
- Jared Bankens George Arzerodt
- J.D. Evermore
- Catherine Dyer
- Christa Beth Campbell Wendy Connolly
More from Simon Fellows
More films directed by Simon Fellows: God the Father, Malice in Wonderland, Until Death and Second in Command.
A Dark Place Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave A Dark Place 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in art & craft (55).
A Dark Place Echo Score Breakdown
In terms of its overall impact, A Dark Place is held back by an uneven screenplay despite a standout lead performance. Multiple critics noted that the plot’s implausibilities and staging flaws undermine the film’s atmospheric qualities. Conversely, users praised its suspenseful pacing and compelling central character, highlighting moments of genuine intrigue and emotional depth. The film’s visual style and soundtrack offer occasional immersion but do not fully offset narrative weaknesses. Overall, the movie registers as a mixed experience with modest appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
In terms of art and craft, the film shows strong photographic work but uneven execution in direction and staging. Marcel Zyskind’s cinematography creates an immersive atmosphere, and selective editing moments sharpen key scenes. However, critics pointed to awkward staging choices, and the production’s local color feels inauthentic at times. These elements combine into a mixed visual package.
- Character & Emotion 92
When it comes to character and emotion, Andrew Scott’s performance anchors the film with depth and conviction. His portrayal of a town outcast turned amateur detective receives consistent praise for its vulnerability and intensity, elevating otherwise conventional scenes. Viewers and critics alike noted the nuanced emotional arc and compelling central chemistry. The net effect is a deeply resonant performance that stands out prominently.
- Story & Flow 60
Regarding story and flow, the screenplay’s familiar structure and occasional implausibilities limit its impact. Several critics highlighted pacing issues and narrative contrivances that undermine the thriller’s urgency, while some audience members praised its suspenseful developments and thematic depth. The blend of mixed engagement and conventional plotting results in a storyline that captivates intermittently but lacks sustained coherence. Ultimately, the film presents a moderately engaging but uneven narrative.
- Sensory Experience 60
In terms of sensory experience, the film offers moments of auditory and visual immersion through its score and cinematography. Select sequences benefit from a measured soundtrack that heightens tension, and the visual style conveys a subdued yet cohesive mood. However, these sensory elements are intermittent and often overshadowed by narrative weaknesses. The overall sensory impression is engaging in parts but lacks consistent impact.
- Rewatch Factor 65
When it comes to rewatch value, the film holds selective appeal on subsequent viewings thanks to its central performance and underlying themes. Critics and users observed that Andrew Scott’s nuanced portrayal and the mystery’s thematic resonance invite further reflection. Yet the story’s predictable elements and pacing issues diminish the incentive to revisit. In sum, the film has modest lasting appeal, rewarding repeat viewings primarily for its lead performance.
-
IMDb 4.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 60% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 72%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 41 Metascore
User score 6.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
2 ratings
See on Letterboxd
A Dark Place Plot Summary
What happens in A Dark Place from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a small town, a local boy goes missing, and sanitation worker Donald Devlin grows steadily more unsettled by what the community accepts as an accident. He’s not convinced the boy drowned; his instincts push him toward a harder, more troubling possibility. Across the quiet streets, Donald carries a heavy personal load: he cares for his wheelchair-bound mother, Betty Devlin, and he tries to keep a fragile bond with his teenage daughter, Tara. The unraveling mystery becomes a mirror for his own anxieties and the way his autism shapes perception, patience, and persistence.
Full summary
The whole story of A Dark Place, scene by scene
A Dark Place Box Office
A Dark Place grossed $9,212 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$9.2K
- International
- $9.2K
A Dark Place Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 2 trailers and 4 clips.
- Trailer Official UK Trailer
- Clip Abusive Sheriff
- Clip Bridge Rescue
- Clip Off the Record
How Well Do You Know A Dark Place?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the main character who investigates the missing boy?
Cars in A Dark Place
23 cars on screen, including the 2009 Audi A4 B8 and the 2014 Hyundai Elantra.
-
2009 Audi A4 B8 Important role -
2014 Hyundai Elantra Important role -
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Important role -
2007 BMW 3 E93 Minor role
A Dark Place Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Steel Country” and “Стоманена страна”.
- Also known as
-
- Steel Country
- Стоманена страна
- 스틸 컨트리
- Стальная страна
- Země oceli
- Mroczne miejsce
- Acélország
- Um Lugar Sombrio
- Tierra Sombría
- מקום אפל
- 黑暗之地
- Tamsi vieta
Seen A Dark Place?
A Dark Place FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Dark Place, each answered in a sentence.
How long is A Dark Place?
A Dark Place runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).
When was A Dark Place released?
A Dark Place was released on April 12, 2019.
Who directed A Dark Place?
A Dark Place was directed by Simon Fellows.
More films by Simon Fellows Who is in the cast of A Dark Place?
A Dark Place stars Andrew Scott as Donald Devlin, Sandra Ellis Lafferty as Betty Devlin and Becky Wahlstrom as Tara, among 13 credited actors.
How much did A Dark Place make at the box office?
A Dark Place grossed $9,212 worldwide.
How is A Dark Place rated?
A Dark Place has 4.1/10 on IMDb, 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 41 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Does A Dark Place have a post-credit scene?
No. A Dark Place has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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