Watch The Dark Hours

The Dark Hours is a psychological thriller from Canadian writer and director Paul Fox, released in 2005. The movie stars Kate Greenhouse as Samantha, a psychiatrist who has been battling her own demons in the form of past trauma and a recent illness. Her husband David (Bruce McFee) is supportive of her, but the couple’s relationship has been strained by Samantha’s treatment and her refusal to take medication.

The story takes place over the course of one night, as Samantha and David head out into the wilderness for a much-needed break. They arrive at an isolated cabin, which is being rented by Samantha’s colleague, Dr. Miles Fielding (Jeff Seymour), who has agreed to help Samantha with her clinical trial. However, when they arrive, they find that the cabin is already occupied by a mysterious stranger named Nick (Gordon Currie). Nick claims to be a stranded hiker, but his demeanor is unsettling and he seems to know a lot about the couple’s personal lives.

As the night wears on, the tension begins to mount. Samantha is plagued by disturbing visions and flashbacks, which may or may not be linked to the presence of Nick. Meanwhile, David and Miles clash over their differing approaches to therapy, with David advocating for a more holistic approach and Miles pushing for traditional medication-based treatments. The power dynamics between the three characters shift and change, with new alliances forming and old conflicts coming to the surface.

The Dark Hours is a slow-burn thriller that builds its suspense gradually. The movie relies on atmosphere and character development to create a sense of unease, rather than cheap jump scares or gore. The performances by the three leads are all top-notch, with Greenhouse in particular carrying much of the emotional weight of the film. The movie explores themes of trauma, mental illness, and the limits of therapy, with a keen eye for the nuances and complexities of these topics.

One thing that sets The Dark Hours apart from other thrillers is its willingness to engage with the theoretical underpinnings of psychiatry. The movie raises questions about the ethical implications of clinical trials, the role of medication in treating mental illness, and the difficulties of diagnosing and treating disorders that don’t fit neatly into standard categories. These themes are woven seamlessly into the narrative, giving the film a sense of intellectual depth and seriousness that is often lacking in the genre.

At the same time, The Dark Hours is still a highly effective thriller, full of tension and suspense. The movie is expertly paced, with each new revelation and twist adding to the overall sense of unease. The climax is satisfying and satisfyingly ambiguous, leaving the viewer to question what they have just seen and experienced.

Overall, The Dark Hours is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that deserves more attention than it received upon its initial release. The movie is well-written, well-acted, and full of nuance and complexity. It will appeal to fans of both psychological thrillers and more intellectually-minded cinema, and is guaranteed to leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll.