Hilary Blair

Upon seeing the trailer ,or even just the film's poster, one will be reminded inevitably of the Liam Neeson film "The Grey", with it's main character in the artic, surrounded by snow and wolves, in an desolate forboding setting. There are of course other similarities to be seen, in that both involve a heroic character who is an expert in the outdoors; who has deep sadness in his life, and finds himself yet in an unfamiliar situation where their expertise leaves them yet very much unprepared. However, this is where the comparison ends. Hold The Dark is a much darker and more mysterious film. At first it seems as if the main story will involve that of the main character Mr. Sloan, a writer of a book involving his experience with wolves, and if he will be able to avenge the death of a boy taken by one of them, requested to do so by his greiving mother. However, in short order, even before he goes out on his first search, it becomes clear that not is all as it seems. the very night he arrives whispers are heard in the night when he is sleeping, a creepy wooden mask of a wolf is seen, and a vision of a seductive yet broken woman appears by his side. From this we know this is not to be a typical, if there is such a thing, man versus the elements story. Just as he doesn't know what he will find when he awakes, we as the audience don't know what to expect as the film progresses. There are many questions raised, not all of which are answered, and those that are, sometimes lie beneath the surface. The film oozes with mood at atmosphere, the setting of Alaska, specifically a small town, rocked by tragedy creates the feeling of isolation. Many of the main characters we meet are alone when we first meet them, setting the stage for a place where even In a town where everyone is supposed to know everyone, there are secrets hidden away. the acting is truly great in this film. The setting sets the tone but the characters are what give such a stage its purpose. The strangeness behind the mothers grief of her son's loss, the husband who appears to be a wounded hero but who has another side, and our main character who seems to emosy the title of the film. He is in his mission to resolve the town's mystery of missing children, and possibily connecting to his estranged daughter who lives nearby, trying to 'Hold the Dark', to keep it at a distance. But this film is truly great in it's suspense because you don't know if he will be successful in what is trying to accomplish. From the first moments of the film, the sense of hope and triumph over the darkness, does not seem inevitable. While I wouldn't say the film is perfect, it is thought provoking and interesting, and you will not know where it is truly going until the last moment of the last frame. I would certainly reccomwnd giving this chilling mystery a watch.