Watch The Dark Stranger

The Dark Stranger is a psychological horror movie that follows the story of Leah Garrison, a young woman who is struggling with depression and mental illness after the death of her mother, an acclaimed graphic novelist. Printed in the pages of her mother's journal is the Dark Stranger, a creature that has become the source of Leah's nightmares. The fame and acclaim of her mother's work and the constant pressure from her publishing team make a difficult situation even worse for the fragile Leah.

Katie Findlay stars in the role of Leah, a talented artist who is torn between her passion for her own work and her personal demons. Leah's struggles are portrayed with intensity and sincerity in her character, and her gradual descent into her own psyche is both haunting and realistic.

Alex Ozerov-Meyer plays the role of Toby, Leah's friend and confidant who often accompanies her on her visits to her therapist, Dr. Brightman (played by Enrico Colantoni). Despite his efforts to help, Toby's own issues and personal struggles cause friction in their friendship, and his character is a constant reminder of the past that Leah is trying to escape.

The Dark Stranger is a visually striking movie, with stunning animation sequences interwoven into live-action scenes that create a dreamlike atmosphere. The use of color, shadow, and light creates an eerie and unsettling mood that adds to the overall sense of unease and dread.

As Leah's delusions become more intense, the lines between reality and fantasy start to blur, and the Dark Stranger itself becomes an integral part of the story. The creature is both a manifestation of Leah's inner turmoil and a real entity that threatens her safety and sanity. The Dark Stranger is a complex and multifaceted character, and the movie does an excellent job of exploring its different aspects and motivations.

The Dark Stranger deals with challenging themes of grief, mental illness, and creative obsession in a sensitive and nuanced way. The movie is not afraid to confront the dark and disturbing aspects of these subjects, but it does so with empathy and understanding. The movie is not overly graphic or gory, but it manages to create a sense of horror that is both intellectual and visceral.

The performances in The Dark Stranger are strong across the board, with standout work from Findlay, Ozerov-Meyer, and Colantoni. The movie is not afraid to let its characters be flawed and vulnerable, and this adds to the realism and emotional weight of the story.

One of the strengths of The Dark Stranger is its pacing. The movie gradually builds tension and suspense, and the climax is both satisfying and unexpected. The resolution of the story is not neat or tidy, and it leaves some questions unanswered, but this adds to the overall sense of unease and ambiguity that pervades the movie.

In conclusion, The Dark Stranger is a powerful and thought-provoking horror movie that deals with difficult subject matter in a sophisticated and nuanced way. The movie is visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and intellectually challenging, and it is highly recommended to fans of psychological horror and dark fantasy.

The Dark Stranger is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.