Reviewed by Melissa Antoinette Garza
Claudio Fragasso is known for the so-bad-its-good TROLL 2 (1990). Amazingly, the same year Fragasso was making that universally recognized fun film, he also made BEYOND DARKNESS.
I had seen a video on Youtube.com from an online review show I watch often. GOOD BAD FLICKS discusses films and other mediums that have a level of “overlooked goodness.” Many times, I’ve found movies to watch and review because of their videos. If you haven’t already, I definitely suggest you checking out their channel.
BEYOND DARKNESS is part POLTERGEIST (1982), part BURNT OFFERINGS (1976) and part THE EXORCIST (1973). That’s not to say there isn’t a level of originality, but one can certainly see where Fragasso obtained his inspiration.
After seeing this flick, I find it pretty sad that Fragasso’s legacy is TROLL 2. BEYOND DARKNESS is superior on every level. It isn’t a so-bad-its-good type of movie. Instead, it’s a so-great-its-awesome film. This really showed off Fragasso’s talent and understanding of the horror genre.
The movie opens up as Father George (David Brandon) sits by a woman who has sworn herself to Satan and murdered children to collect their souls for her master. As Father George tries to save the woman’s soul, she taps into a weakness within him. She can see how he questions his own faith and hands him her dark Bible. When she walks her last mile, he sees all the children that were killed solemnly follow her.
He turns to alcohol and begins seeing the woman and children in different areas. In one scene he sees her gather them onto a school bus and drive away. He runs after to stop them but can’t keep up.
Meanwhile, Father Peter (Gene Lebrock) and his wife Annie (Barbara Bingham)are excited about their new home. Their young children Martin (Michael Stephenson) and Carole (Theresa Walker) are equally excited. Unbeknownst to the family, the church purposely sent them to that house to battle the witch, Satan and the evil forces within.
At first, it’s only Carole who sees the unusual activity. In her room sits an enormous black swan that was there when they arrived. She puts her bear on top of it and the swan menacingly rocks back and forth without anyone touching it.
Fragasso uses amazing imagery. The swan itself set an ominous tone and created a magnificently scary atmosphere.
A hole in the wall beckons Carole who ends up getting burns on her face. Peter and Annie dismiss it as a heat pipe with a hole in it, but soon they see the paranormal occurrences themselves.
At the dinner table an old radio begins playing on its own. Peter shuts it off and it goes back on. He unplugs it and the table is nearly attacked as the radio comes directly after them.
When the children are harmed and Peter realizes there is no escape, he sends Annie away and enlists the help of Father George who has regained his faith.
This movie has it all. I actually wish it was in a theater, because I’d love to see it on the big screen. There are subtle scenes that stay with the viewer, blatant horror that is used to provide symbolism and invoke fear and unpredictable jump scares that ensures the viewer is on their toes from beginning to end. This is the kind of horror genius that keeps one glued to the screen both needing to watch yet wincing with fists clenched because of what may come next.
The ending is spectacular and wait until the credits are over because the movie doesn’t end until they stop.
Others can go on and believe that Fragasso’s legacy is TROLL 2. For me, his legacy is BEYOND DARKNESS. That said, TROLL 2 fans will notice a familiar face. The child actor that co-stars in both movies. Michael Stephenson plays the young son taken in by the witches who attempt to steal his soul. Though he wasn’t the greatest actor, I can’t trash a kid. He tried his best and didn’t detract from the overall production which is all you can really ask from a 12 year old.
As for the film, of course I recommend it. I purchased it off AMAZON for a mere $8.00 and it’s worth a hell of a lot more.
This is one of the few movies, I suggest horror fans don’t watch alone. The creep factor is as high as it can get with this one.
This also made me nostalgic for my youth. Back in the 80s and early 90s, Saturday afternoons were dedicated to these type of unknown horror gems. Thankfully, they’re not lost forever with the advent of DVDs, blu-rays and streaming services.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8.5/10 A MUST WATCH
