We Summon the Darkness (2019)

Directed by: Marc Meyers | 91 minutes | horror, thriller, music | Actors: Alexandra Daddario, Keean Johnson, Maddie Hasson, Amy Forsyth, Logan Miller, Austin Swift, Johnny Knoxville, Allison McAtee, Tanner Beard, Erik Athavale, Stephanie Moroz, Harry Nelken, Dennis Scullard

There was a time when rap and hip-hop weren’t among the most dangerous music genres in the world. In the late 1980s, heavy metal was music for devil worshipers and Satanism and metal were continuously associated with each other. Especially from a Christian perspective. In this period ‘We Summon The Darkness’ takes place. Fans of harder music can have fun with the soundtrack.

‘We Summon The Darkness’ revolves around three girls who go to a heavy metal concert. The band for which the trio comes, uses Satanic lyrics. Naturally, the ladies stand out in a concert mainly attended by men. When the girls come into contact with three boys, a cozy atmosphere is created. When the ladies propose to continue the party in a secluded house that belongs to the stepmother of one of the girls, the men think they are done. It’s bound to be an adventure! Nothing turns out to be less true.

To enjoy this film as much as possible, it is important to enter it blank. The less prior knowledge the better. There is a plot twist in this film that really sets things apart. The great strength of ‘We Summon the Darkness’ is the setting and the casting. Alexandra Daddario in particular clearly enjoys her role and that results in a film that passes you at full speed. Former Jackass star Johnny Knoxville gets to appear in a small role. Although his part is promoted quite prominently on the movie poster, he is rarely in the picture. Fortunately, because his game cannot be called very strong.

The somewhat grubby atmosphere seems to promise a raunchy horror film, but that turns out to be disappointing in practice. ‘We Summon The Darkness’ is a great horror thriller for a wide audience. The metal sauce and the eighties setting make this film just a bit more special than the average Hollywood slasher.