Okay, I'm jumping from vintage 1970s horror last time to a 2005 psycho-thriller this time. One that I think works better if you don't know too much about it, so I'm not going to get into much detail.The Dark Hours is a fairly low-budget suspenser set mostly in one location, a cabin in the woods. The acting is decent, and especially good from both Kate Greenhouse, the lead, as well as her antagonist played by Aidan Devine. There's a bit of gore but not a whole lot. Enough that I think one can classify it as horror.
It's also very much a "things are not what they seem" story, with a number of layers to reveal. One could say it's more of a character drama (it almost seems like a theatre production at times) than a straight-up horror. But it's an interesting one, and I don't think it ever succumbs to pretentiousness.
Despite the "low" half-million dollar budget, this movie has the dubious distinction of pulling in only $423 at the box office. Yeowtch! I don't think it deserved to be so ignored by the public. However, I could see how a hardcore horror fan wouldn't find it "horror" enough, and someone looking for an arty drama film might find the violence gratuitous or out of place. I happen to be a fan of horror hybrids however, so this didn't bother me.
Compared to modern Hollywood (or French) horror, this film will look very cheap. But if you don't need your hair blown back by special effects, gore and action, give a movie that relies primarily on writing and acting a chance.
