It’s another Witches Night Out, and for this entry, we’re going with an nontraditional cinematic witch. For writer/director Liam Gavin’s feature debut A Dark Song, he did extensive research into the occult, making for arguably one of the more accurate depictions of occultism and dark rituals in horror.
His lead character, Sophia, seeks out an expert to help her complete the arduous Abramelin rite, based on The Book of Abramelin. Though Gavin purposely avoided depicting the ritual as described in the book, perhaps a little bit out of superstition. In a way, Sophia’s desire to perform and complete the ritual makes her a bit of a modern witch. Released in 2017, Gavin’s feature debut marked him as one to watch as it delivered one of the most unique horror movies of the decade.
Synopsis: Sophia Howard rents an isolated house in the countryside and contracts unsavory occultist Joseph Solomon to implement the Abramelin Operation, a grueling 18-month magical ceremony to attain knowledge and conversation with one’s guardian angel in order to have their wish granted. But Sophia has a hidden agenda that puts their very lives and souls at risk.
Key Players: This film rests squarely on the shoulders of Catherine Walker as Sophia, and Steve Oram as Joseph Solomon.
Why It’s on the List: Black magic and witchcraft are rarely, if ever, depicted like they are in A Dark Song. That alone makes it a breath of fresh air. But Gavin demonstrates a knack for crafting eerie atmosphere and some spine-tingling moments of horror, too. It’s a suspenseful slow-burn with an ending that might prove polarizing, but the devil really is in the details of this moody horror movie.
The Trailer: The film’s trailer gives a good sense of the grueling nature of this ritual, but it really highlights the abrasive, mostly antagonistic relationship between Sophia and Solomon. Being stuck in a house for 18 months with these damaged souls makes for a lot of tension and fire.
Where You Can Watch: A Dark Song is available to stream on IFC Films Unlimited, and available to rent on digital.