Dark River
Dark River

Movie spotlight

Dark River

2017
Movie
90 min
English

After her father dies, a young woman returns to her Yorkshire village for the first time in 15 years to claim the family farm she believes is hers.

Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Metacritic73/100
Google Users70%
Director: Clio BarnardGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

In the bleak Yorkshire landscape, Alice returns to her family's isolated farm after a decade away to confront her estranged brother, Joe. Their reunion is fraught with tension, stemming from a past trauma that has deeply affected both their lives. As they attempt to rebuild their relationship and their family's legacy, long-buried secrets and simmering resentments threaten to erupt, leading to a powerful and unsettling confrontation.

Critical Reception

Dark River received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its strong performances, atmospheric tension, and exploration of complex family dynamics. Some critics found the pacing slow at times, but most lauded its powerful emotional impact and striking visual storytelling.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense atmosphere and compelling performances, particularly from Ruth Wilson.

  • Explores themes of trauma, sibling rivalry, and the weight of the past with nuance.

  • Visually stunning cinematography captures the harsh beauty of the Yorkshire landscape.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's strong emotional core and the captivating performances. Many appreciated the slow-burn tension and the exploration of difficult family relationships, though some found the bleak subject matter challenging.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Golden Hitchcock Award at the Dinard Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film's stark, windswept Yorkshire setting plays a crucial role in reflecting the characters' internal turmoil and isolation.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Svumpukkel85

Svumpukkel85

A story that highlights the extent of the mess a single abusive parent can leave behind, but also a glimpse of hope and recovery by confronting the trauma 7/10. Well acted by the two leads. This is a slow-burner, but very atmospheric and be...