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Horror film

Darkness Rising (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Darkness Rising (2017) movie poster

Darkness Rising is a 2017 horror film directed by Austin Reading, starring Ted Raimi, Bryce Johnson and Katrina Law. It runs 1 hour 21 minutes and earned $12,198 worldwide. IMDb users rate it 3.3/10.

IMDb rating
3.3/10
worldwide gross
$12.2K
Echo Score
30
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Darkness Rising (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 21m (81 min)
Director
Austin Reading
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Darkness Rising About?

The premise of Darkness Rising without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Madison is haunted by a traumatic childhood, marked by her mother's violent actions against her sister and an attempt on her own life. Returning to her family home with her fiancé and cousin, she unknowingly stirs up a dark and malevolent force. This awakening threatens to unleash the same terrifying events from her past, endangering everyone involved and forcing her to confront the buried secrets of her family's history.

Darkness Rising Themes & Keywords

· 6 tags
  • haunted house
  • childhood trauma
  • murder
  • black eyed
  • killer mother
  • dog
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Cast & crew

Darkness Rising Cast

Ted Raimi leads the cast, with Bryce Johnson and Katrina Law. Directed by Austin Reading; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Darkness Rising

· 3 more
From the director

More from Austin Reading

More films directed by Austin Reading: Epic Holiday Showdown and James Veitch: Straight to VHS.

Full filmography
Ratings

Darkness Rising Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Darkness Rising 3.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in sensory experience (45) and weakest in character & emotion (20).

30 /100

Darkness Rising Echo Score Breakdown

The film struggles to establish a coherent identity, resulting in a largely underwhelming experience. While it introduces an intriguing premise around architecture-driven horror, inconsistent execution in direction and script undermines engagement. Acting performances and practical effects sporadically show competence but are overshadowed by uneven pacing and generic haunted-house tropes. The soundtrack and certain visual moments offer brief highlights, but the overall impact remains forgettable. Darkness Rising ultimately falls short of offering lasting appeal or a compelling horror journey.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, the production design and editing feel generic and underdeveloped. Low-budget constraints lead to uninspired camera work and inconsistent visual cohesion. Although the film achieves occasional atmospheric framing, most scenes lack distinctive cinematography or inventive staging. As a result, the overall visual presentation feels forgettable and unremarkable.

  • Character & Emotion 20

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances often lack depth or nuance. Several lead portrayals rely on repetitive sobbing or uneven delivery, reducing emotional resonance. A few supporting players display competence, but inconsistent chemistry undermines engagement. Ultimately, the cast’s limited character development leaves little impact on the viewer.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative struggles with coherence and pacing. Plot elements feel under-explained and often repeated without advancement, leading to a fragmented structure. While the central concept of architecture-induced madness offers originality, it is insufficiently developed. Consequently, engagement falters as the story becomes predictable and uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    When it comes to sensory experience, the sound design and score provide occasional tension but lack consistency. Visual effects and makeup achieve brief impact, yet many sequences feel jarring due to uneven editing. Excessive loudness and abrupt cuts further detract from immersion. Overall, the audiovisual presentation offers sporadic highlights amid broader inconsistency.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    In terms of rewatch value, the film offers minimal incentive for subsequent viewings. Few moments establish lasting intrigue, and the uneven execution diminishes memorable sequences. Occasional unintentional humor may prompt a brief revisit, but the lack of cohesive suspense and character depth makes repeat watches unlikely.

Plot

Darkness Rising Plot Summary

What happens in Darkness Rising from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story begins with a quiet, mysterious scene featuring a man playing with his young daughter, Sarah, as they notice a house suddenly appearing in the distance. This sets the stage for a dark history rooted in tragedy and the supernatural.

Twenty-five years prior to the main events, a horrific act of violence occurred when Madison’s mother attempted to smother her infant daughter, Olivia. The child was only saved because of the timely intervention of Madison’s father. Following this traumatic event, the father reported hearing a chilling, whispered voice repeating the number five.

Full summary

The whole story of Darkness Rising, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Darkness Rising Box Office

Darkness Rising grossed $12,198 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$12.2K

International
$12.2K
Videos

Darkness Rising Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Darkness Rising.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Darkness Rising?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which number is central to the curse and keeps appearing throughout the film?

Cars

Cars in Darkness Rising

1 car on screen: the 2011 BMW 550i F10.

  • 2011 BMW 550i F10 in Darkness Rising 2011 BMW 550i F10 Minor role

Seen Darkness Rising?

FAQ

Darkness Rising FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Darkness Rising, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Darkness Rising?

Darkness Rising runs 1 hour 21 minutes (81 minutes).

When was Darkness Rising released?

Darkness Rising was released on June 30, 2017.

Who directed Darkness Rising?

Darkness Rising was directed by Austin Reading.

More films by Austin Reading

Who is in the cast of Darkness Rising?

Darkness Rising stars Ted Raimi, Bryce Johnson and Katrina Law, among 7 credited actors.

How much did Darkness Rising make at the box office?

Darkness Rising grossed $12,198 worldwide.

How is Darkness Rising rated?

Darkness Rising has 3.3/10 on IMDb, 37% on TMDB and 2.4/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Darkness Rising have a post-credit scene?

No. Darkness Rising has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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