Darkness Falls (2020): Cast & Ratings
Darkness Falls is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Julien Seri, starring Lin Shaye as Angela Anderson, Gary Cole and Shawn Ashmore. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes and was made on a reported $25,000 budget. Critics gave it 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Director
- Julien Seri
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Vertical Entertainment
- Budget
- $25K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Darkness Falls About?
The premise of Darkness Falls without spoilers.
While exploring the remote Scottish Highlands, two friends experience a devastating turn when one vanishes unexpectedly. Determined to find her, Jess confronts a treacherous landscape filled with secrets and peril. As she searches, she must question everything and everyone she encounters, discovering a world where deception lurks around every corner and her safety is constantly at risk.
Darkness Falls Themes & Keywords
· 10 tags- trek
- hiking
- disappearance
- farmland
- scotland
- binoculars
- camping
- flask
- cemetery
- double cross
Darkness Falls Cast & Characters
Lin Shaye leads the cast as Angela Anderson, with Gary Cole as Mark Witver and Shawn Ashmore as Jeff Anderson. Directed by Julien Seri; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Julien Seri
-
Lin Shaye as Angela Anderson -
Gary Cole as Mark Witver -
Shawn Ashmore as Jeff Anderson -
Sonya Walger as Jane Wilson
Also Starring in Darkness Falls
· 9 more- Obada Adnan
- James Logan Suspect
- Richard Harmon Adam Witver
- Vahina Giocante Elizabeth Anderson
- Daniella Alonso Kelly Alderman
- Stefania Spampinato Amanda Tyler
- Judah Mackey Frankie Anderson
- Alexis DeLaRosa Officer #3
- Toby Wayne Carter
More from Julien Seri
More films directed by Julien Seri: Kali: Avenging Angel, Je suis né à 17 ans, Night Fare and Scorpion.
Darkness Falls Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Darkness Falls 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 43/100, strongest in sensory experience (55) and weakest in character & emotion (30).
Darkness Falls Echo Score Breakdown
The film’s reliance on familiar horror conventions and underdeveloped elements undermines its creative premise. Reviews cite a thin script that leans heavily on clichés rather than building complexity or genuine suspense. While the tooth fairy concept and occasional visual flair offer moments of intrigue, pacing issues and shallow characterizations detract from sustained engagement. Overall, Darkness Falls presents a stylistic spark amid narrative shortcomings, resulting in a viewing experience that falls short of its potential.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 45
In terms of cinematography, the film delivers intermittent stylistic appeal through a retro color palette and well-composed shots that evoke its small-town setting. The production design incorporates period details that enhance atmosphere, but inconsistent editing and cheap special effects undermine visual coherence. While certain sequences showcase thoughtful framing, these moments are offset by uneven execution and a lack of polish in several key scenes.
- Character & Emotion 30
When it comes to character depth, the film struggles with shallow development and forgettable performances that prevent emotional investment. Reviews highlight paper-thin personalities and uneven acting that fail to generate meaningful chemistry between protagonists. Occasional earnest moments are overshadowed by one-dimensional portrayals and lack of backstory. Ultimately, the film’s character work offers little resonance and detracts from audience engagement.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of story and flow, the film presents an intriguing premise but falls into predictable tropes that hinder originality. The pacing is uneven, with a slow middle section that diminishes suspense before a more dynamic final act. Critics and viewers note an undercooked script that relies on familiar clichés rather than nuanced plotting. Overall, the narrative delivers surface-level thrills but lacks coherent momentum and depth.
- Sensory Experience 55
When considering the sensory experience, the film offers occasional highlights in visual and sound design but is uneven overall. Praise centers on a polished soundtrack and well-executed stunt sequences that enhance key moments. However, reviews point out cheap special effects and generic scare tactics that undercut atmospheric tension. Ultimately, the sensory elements provide intermittent engagement but fail to maintain a fully immersive horror experience.
- Rewatch Factor 40
In terms of rewatch factor, the film shows limited replay value due to repetitive genre conventions and shallow narrative layers. Viewers note that initial novelty fades quickly, leaving little incentive for multiple viewings. A few users cite nostalgia-driven enjoyment, but overall the dated effects and thin character work diminish lasting appeal. Consequently, the film struggles to offer compelling reasons for revisiting beyond a cursory interest.
-
IMDb 3.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 10% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 34%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 54% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.6 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
Darkness Falls Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Anderson Falls” and “С наступлением ночи”.
- Also known as
-
- Anderson Falls
- С наступлением ночи
- 앤더슨 폴스
- Anderson Falls - Ein Cop am Abgrund
- החשיכה יורדת
- 安德森坠落
- 亡命緝凶
Seen Darkness Falls?
Movies Like Darkness Falls
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including When Darkness Falls, Darkness Falls and Dark Highlands.
Darkness Falls FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Darkness Falls, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Darkness Falls?
Darkness Falls runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was Darkness Falls released?
Darkness Falls was released on June 12, 2020.
Who directed Darkness Falls?
Darkness Falls was directed by Julien Seri.
More films by Julien Seri Who is in the cast of Darkness Falls?
Darkness Falls stars Lin Shaye as Angela Anderson, Gary Cole as Mark Witver and Shawn Ashmore as Jeff Anderson, among 13 credited actors.
What was the budget of Darkness Falls?
Darkness Falls had a reported budget of $25,000.
How is Darkness Falls rated?
Darkness Falls has 3.9/10 on IMDb, 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54% on TMDB and 2.6/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Darkness Falls have a post-credit scene?
No. Darkness Falls has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
