Darklands

Darklands is a British horror film from 1996 directed by Julian Richards, and stars Craig Fairbrass as Martin, a young journalist from London who heads to Wales to investigate a series of gruesome murders. Along the way, he meets a young woman named Liz (Rowena King), who knows more about the killings than she initially lets on.

The film begins with Martin arriving in Wales and meeting with a police detective named Hannah Jones (played by Jon Finch). Hannah is skeptical of Martin's intentions, but eventually allows him to investigate the murders with her guidance. As Martin begins to dig deeper into the case, he discovers a web of corruption and secrecy that leads him down a very dark path.

One of the most striking things about Darklands is its atmosphere - the film is shot predominantly in low light, giving it a brooding, ominous tone that feels like it's almost suffocating at times. The locations are also incredibly well-utilized, with the misty, rugged countryside of Wales providing an unsettling backdrop to the film's events.

Craig Fairbrass is excellent as Martin - he's a likable and engaging protagonist, but he also has a certain desperation and darkness lurking just beneath the surface, which becomes more apparent as the story progresses. Rowena King is also really good as Liz - she's initially seen as a love interest for Martin, but as the film goes on it becomes clear that she has her own motivations and secrets.

The film's horror elements are relatively subtle - there's not a lot of gore or jump scares, but there are a few moments that are genuinely creepy and unsettling. The film also deals with some weighty themes, including corruption, power, and the abuse of power, as well as Welsh mythology and folklore.

One of the film's strengths is the way it gradually builds tension and suspicion - there are a lot of twists and turns in the plot, and the final act in particular is pretty intense. The film's climax is suitably bleak and ambiguous - this isn't a film that offers easy answers or simplistic solutions, and it trusts the audience to draw their own conclusions.

Overall, Darklands is a well-made and atmospheric horror film that rewards patient viewers who are willing to invest in the characters and the story. It's a testament to Julian Richards' skill as a director that he's able to create such a sense of dread and tension throughout the film, without resorting to cheap scares or excessive violence. For fans of slow-burning, character-driven horror, Darklands is definitely worth seeking out.