Last Updated on November 15, 2023
PLOT: Set during the ’80s “Satanic Panic,” three girlfriends meet a few guys at a heavy metal concert and decide to take the party back to the homestead. Things get out of control when booze, drugs, and a satanic ritual come into play. All in all, it sounds like a good time to me!
LOWDOWN: A couple of weeks ago, I received a screener for WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS. The first thing that caught my attention is that it’s a Saban Films production. I haven’t thought about Saban since I was a kid in the ’90s. Everybody from that era grew up on the Power Rangers (shout out to that sexy Pink Ranger). I didn’t know what to expect from WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS. Besides an intentionally vague IMDB plot synopsis, I decided to go in blind. Armed only with my wits and some cheap whiskey, I gave it a go. And let me tell you, I had one hell of a time (no pun intended). Beware of some very mild spoilers ahead, but not much more than you’ll see in the trailer.
I was too young to remember the shitshow reaction to the heavy metal scene in the ’80s, but I’m well versed in the HBO documentary series PARADISE LOST. If there’s any takeaway from that series, it’s that the “family values” crowd was utterly crazy towards that genre at that time. I know folks thought Elvis shaking his hips was the work of the devil, but framing kids for murder because of their music preference is pretty f*cked up. What works so well in WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS is that the movie flips the script and puts the young metalheads on the side of good, while our beautiful religious leads are the dangerous troublemakers. The story isn’t anything you haven’t seen before. We have a remote location with a group of teens who are trying to survive the night. But in a refreshing twist, we get a cool gender swap with three tough-as-nails women just trying to spread the word of God through some good old-fashioned murder.
Alexandra Daddario (who’s had my heart since TRUE DETECTIVE), plays the fierce and business-first ringleader, Alexis. She brings an intense, psychotic vibe, and I wholeheartedly believed that she’d stab a mofo in the throat if she had to. But the scene stealer of the group is by far the wild and crazy Val (Maddie Hasson). Reminiscent of Stu from SCREAM, she’s funny, charming, and likes to punctuate bible verses by smacking her partner’s ass. I’m not one to say someone is my “spirit animal,” but in this case, she would be mine. Beverly (Amy Forsyth) is the sweet-natured one who is in over her head. Meh. The dudes here play the music-loving goofballs, and they do it so authentically it brought me back to my kegger-in-the-woods days. The easygoing drummer Mark (Keean Johnson) stands out as the (sort of) lead protagonist whose entire goal is to leave the Midwest for the warmer weather in Los Angeles. Bad timing, buddy. Bad timing.
Between pseudo-Satanists, Christian cults, and heavy metal, the darkly comedic tone is the rug that ties this whole room together. Nothing here is preachy, and we aren’t here to learn. Like Larry David said about Seinfeld, “No hugging. No learning.” This film has its tongue somewhat in its cheek while also trying to poison you with bug spray and stab you with broken wine bottles. It’s serious enough to get you to root for the heroes, but you’re never more than a couple of scenes away from a genuine smile. Not to mention a hammy yet scene-stealing cameo by Johnny Knoxville as a Joel Osteen inspired Pastor John Henry Butler.
It’s not perfect by any means. Shit, what is? There are many situations that are far too convenient to be real, and many foolish decisions that service the plot (stop putting the f*cking gun down). I didn’t really care, though. This is filled with great chemistry and sharp dialogue. Hell, I’d love to have a drink and smoke a joint with these characters. Everyone felt grounded and genuine despite the handy plot developments. I needed a good time, and this delivered. Bravo, ladies!
GORE: This isn’t very gory, Yeah, we get a little blood. There are some stabbings and some survival wounds, but a film like this should have kicked it up to eleven. Why have a playful vibe in a horror film if you’re not going to lean into some EVIL DEAD type violence?
BOTTOM LINE: I went into this knowing very little and came out the other side with a stupid grin from ear to ear. It’s not a flawless film. The characters make some dumb decisions in service of the plot, and it loses it’s footing when tying up the story. But In the end, it’s just TOO DAMN FUN. The film’s saving grace is that It nails the most important aspect: The characters. WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS is a rock n’ roll ride to hell that had me cheering the entire time. Now more than ever I’m glad to find a film that makes me want to raise a drink in celebration. Go and do likewise, friends.
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