Bóng Đêm - The Darkness (2016)

Greg McLean, a director synonymous with visceral horror in the 'Wolf Creek' franchise, takes a notable thematic detour with 'The Darkness' (2016), venturing into supernatural psychological horror. Rather than overt gore, McLean attempts to cultivate dread from the domestic fissures within a modern, troubled family. The film eschews a straightforward ghost story in favor of exploring deep-seated traumas, addiction, and infidelity, presenting them as conduits for an ancient entity's infiltration.

The performances by Kevin Bacon and Radha Mitchell provide a solid anchor, convincingly portraying a couple teetering on the brink of collapse, while David Mazouz offers a commendable portrayal of a troubled child. However, the scare tactics occasionally feel telegraphed, and the screenplay struggles to elevate the narrative beyond common haunted house tropes. Despite these shortcomings, McLean effectively establishes a pervasive sense of unease, hinting at the profound darkness lurking within the human psyche, though 'The Darkness' ultimately struggles to carve out a truly distinctive niche within the crowded family-under-siege horror subgenre.