Hold the Dark (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Hold the Dark is a 2018 adventure thriller directed by Jeremy Saulnier, starring Jeffrey Wright as Russell Core, Riley Keough and Beckam Crawford. It is based on Hold the Dark by William Giraldi. It runs 2 hours 5 minutes and earned $27,738 worldwide. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 5m (125 min)
- Director
- Jeremy Saulnier
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- Based on
- Hold the Dark by William Giraldi
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hold the Dark About?
The premise of Hold the Dark without spoilers, adapted from Hold the Dark by William Giraldi. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In the remote, icy wilderness of Alaska, a former naturalist is drawn into a disturbing case involving the death of a young woman. While investigating, Russell Core becomes embroiled in a dangerous conflict with the victim's grieving father, Vernon, who is consumed by a need for retribution. As Russell seeks answers, he finds himself caught in a spiraling sequence of sorrow, violence, and a desperate fight for survival against a man driven by unimaginable loss.
Hold the Dark Themes & Keywords
· 26 tags- alaska
- wolves
- dark secret
- writer
- missing
- police
- police officer
- police shootout
- police officer killed
- female police officer killed
- machine gun
- police car
+14 more Show fewer
- police uniform
- soldier
- implied incest
- brother sister marriage
- murder mystery
- clothed male naked female scene
- female full frontal nudity
- female police officer
- male police officer
- female uniformed police officer
- police officer shot
- male police officer shot
- female police officer shot
- female rear nudity
Hold the Dark Cast & Characters
Jeffrey Wright leads the cast as Russell Core, with Riley Keough as Medora Slone and Beckam Crawford as Bailey. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier; 16 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Jeremy Saulnier
-
Jeffrey Wright as Russell Core -
Riley Keough as Medora Slone -
Beckam Crawford as Bailey -
Alexander Skarsgård as Vernon Slone
Also Starring in Hold the Dark
· 12 more- Julian Black Antelope Cheeon
- James Badge Dale Donald Marium
- Eric Keenleyside Big Deputy
- Macon Blair
- James Bloor
- Anabel Kutay Iraqi Woman
- Jonathan Whitesell
- Michael Tayles Clerk
- Joseph Whitebird Yup'ik Man
- Issac Bird Yup'ik Teen
- Zandus Snow Yup'ik Boy
- Savonna Spracklin
More from Jeremy Saulnier
More films directed by Jeremy Saulnier, best-rated first: Rebel Ridge, Blue Ruin, Green Room and Murder Party.
Hold the Dark Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Hold the Dark 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).
Hold the Dark Echo Score Breakdown
The film’s overall impact is characterized by striking visual ambition overshadowed by narrative and emotional inconsistency. Critics and viewers acknowledge the immersive depiction of Alaska and its thematic boldness, but opinions diverge on pacing, clarity, and character motivation. Many found the deliberate build-up rewarding in isolated moments, yet the film’s fragmented structure and muted emotional stakes dilute sustained engagement. In summary, Hold the Dark presents an arresting sensory journey that struggles to cohere into a satisfying dramatic experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
The film’s visual design demonstrates both ambition and uneven execution. In terms of cinematography, critics praised the stark Alaskan landscapes and atmospheric compositions, while some viewers found the pacing of shots dragging. Direction receives commendation for mood-setting but criticism for halting rhythm that undercuts momentum. Overall, the art and craft deliver striking imagery yet suffer from inconsistent editorial pacing.
- Character & Emotion 40
When it comes to character depth, performances are occasionally compelling but often lack emotional resonance. While critics admired Wright’s presence, many found the characters’ motives underdeveloped and difficult to follow. Viewers frequently noted blank-faced acting and muted chemistry that hindered empathy. Overall, the character element remains undercut by inconsistent emotional engagement.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of plot coherence, Hold the Dark is marked by a deliberate slow burn that frequently stalls progression. Reviews cite the narrative’s glacial pace and thematic ambiguities, noting moments of gripping violence but little sustained momentum. The story’s oscillation between revenge themes and unfinished ideas creates a disjointed experience. Net impression is an uneven narrative that struggles to maintain focus.
- Sensory Experience 70
Regarding sensory experience, the film excels in creating an immersive atmosphere through its sound design and visual style. The score underlines tense moments while the stark soundscape accentuates the Alaskan setting. Some viewers, however, noted muffled dialogue in quieter scenes. Overall, the film offers a compelling audiovisual texture that bolsters its mood despite occasional clarity issues.
- Rewatch Factor 35
For rewatch value, Hold the Dark offers limited appeal on subsequent viewings. Critics mention that the film provokes post-viewing analysis, yet the narrative’s opacity and emotional distance reduce its return value. While its unsettling atmosphere may attract niche audiences, most viewers are unlikely to uncover new insights or enjoyment. Ultimately, its replay factor remains low.
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IMDb 5.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 69% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 33%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 63 Metascore
User score 5.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 54% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
10 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Hold the Dark Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Hold the Dark from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In December 2004, a writer named Russell Core, who specializes in wolf behavior, receives a call from Medora Slone to travel to the remote village of Keelut, Alaska. Medora seeks Core’s help to hunt down the wolves that are suspected of causing the tragic disappearances and presumed deaths of three young children, including her own 6-year-old son, Bailey.
Full summary
The whole story of Hold the Dark, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Hold the Dark Box Office
Hold the Dark grossed $27,738 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$27.7K
- International
- $27.7K
Hold the Dark Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Hold the Dark.
How Well Do You Know Hold the Dark?
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
Who is the main character that tracks the wolves in 'Hold the Dark'?
Cars in Hold the Dark
19 cars on screen, including the Chevrolet Blazer and the 1978 Ford F-Series.
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Chevrolet Blazer Important role -
1978 Ford F-Series Important role -
2002 Ford Explorer Important role -
2004 GMC Yukon Important role
Hold the Dark Also Known As
24 alternative titles, including “홀드 더 다크” and “Aucun homme ni dieu”.
- Also known as
-
- 홀드 더 다크
- Aucun homme ni dieu
- Wolfsnächte
- โฮลด์ เดอะ ดาร์ก
- Noche de lobos
- 늑대의 어둠
- Придержи тьму
- בחשכת הליל
- Прегърни мрака
- 暗夜之狼
- Powstrzymać mrok
- Noite de Lobos
+12 more Show fewer
- Η Νύχτα των Λύκων
- Para a Escuridão
- Притримай темряву
- Држи таму
- Tartsd bent a sötétséget
- La mørket vente
- 黑暗杀机
- Ujemi temo
- Noaptea lupilor
- Laikykis tamsos
- ホールド・ザ・ダーク そこにある闇
- Giữ Bóng Tối
Seen Hold the Dark?
Movies Like Hold the Dark
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dark Crimes, The Darker the Lake and Insomnia.
Hold the Dark FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Hold the Dark, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hold the Dark?
Hold the Dark runs 2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes).
When was Hold the Dark released?
Hold the Dark was released on September 28, 2018.
Who directed Hold the Dark?
Hold the Dark was directed by Jeremy Saulnier.
More films by Jeremy Saulnier Who is in the cast of Hold the Dark?
Hold the Dark stars Jeffrey Wright as Russell Core, Riley Keough as Medora Slone and Beckam Crawford as Bailey, among 16 credited actors.
How much did Hold the Dark make at the box office?
Hold the Dark grossed $27,738 worldwide.
How is Hold the Dark rated?
Hold the Dark has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 54% on TMDB.
Is Hold the Dark based on a book?
Yes. Hold the Dark is adapted from Hold the Dark by William Giraldi.
Does Hold the Dark have a post-credit scene?
No. Hold the Dark has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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