How Dark They Prey

Does this sci-fi-cum-slasher experiment sound exciting? Well, as a result of poor writing, bad editing, and a lack of thought into the intent of the stories, How Dark They Prey is not. Each segment tells an incomplete plot that does not conclude. At first, it seems as if everything is building up for an enormous culmination in the end. But, alas, this is not the case. Although the four segments wrap around for an epilogue, the final sequence has no logic or sense.

The worst part is that every segment builds up a suspenseful event. However, the stories never end with a decent conclusion. There are instances where films have used ambiguity and open endings to draw audiences’ opinions and have them come up with their interpretations and form perspective-based conclusions. That doesn’t happen here. The ambiguous nature of the shorts remains indifferent to the outcome because there’s not enough story to piece together anything. As a result, you are left feeling utterly dissatisfied.

“Anthologies have this compelling ability to portray a theme through multiple stories.”

The first tale, though a bit dull when it comes to performances, does draw some attention. Harrowing starts most grippingly. This portion gets really interesting later on and truly engages the viewer. Though the WWII setting and performances aren’t compelling, the idea of this particular segment is fascinating. But, How Dark They Prey ends on a confusing and tedious note, killing off the attention and interest in the remaining two segments.

Blood Beach is without purpose and hardly makes any point in its plot. In contrast, Nelly is outright bad as a result of Johnson’s poor performance. The sheer unevenness makes the whole experience with this anthology uneasy. The fact that the film fails at the writing table is something the makers can’t get away with. The camera work, especially in the black-and-white cinematography of Nelly, reflects some effort, but it alone can’t save the whole production.

I’m sure the writers had some overarching purpose when they penned this screenplay. The synopsis suggests that it’s a depiction of the haunting nature of man. But whatever the emotions or ideas the LoCascios and Ambrosio wished to express in How Dark They Prey is not visible. It’s possible that it was the budgetary limitations that these VFX-oriented concepts required which hampered some parts of the film. But several other aspects, including the acting and the unsound cliffhanger ending, things any writer can control, make this movie far duller than expected.