Spreading Darkness

Spreading Darkness, a 2017 movie directed by Josh Eisenstadt, is a crime-comedy movie that stars Eric Roberts, John Savage, and James Duval. The story follows the character of Stu, a hapless lawyer played by Duval, who is drawn into a dark and twisted world of crime, deception, and murder.

The movie opens with a prologue, which shows a group of thieves breaking into a security vault and stealing a valuable diamond ring. As it turns out, the ring is cursed, and whoever wears it is bound to suffer from a series of misfortunes. The leader of the thieves, a charismatic but ruthless man named Thomas (played by Louis Mandylor), narrowly escapes from the police and goes on the run.

The main plot kicks off when Stu, a struggling lawyer who is desperate for money, takes on Thomas as his client. Thomas hires Stu to represent him in a criminal trial for a different crime, but he also manipulates Stu into helping him with his own schemes. Stu is hesitant at first, but he soon finds himself sucked into Thomas's web of lies and violence.

Things quickly spiral out of control as Stu gets involved with a series of unsavory characters, each with their own agendas and motivations. Eric Roberts plays a flamboyant mob boss named Reno, who is obsessed with the cursed ring and will do anything to get his hands on it. John Savage plays a corrupt detective who has a personal grudge against Thomas and is determined to see him locked up for good.

As the plot thickens, Stu finds himself caught between these two powerful and dangerous men, both of whom are willing to go to extreme lengths to get what they want. Along the way, Stu meets a colorful cast of supporting characters, including a street-smart prostitute, a surly security guard, and a wise-cracking bartender. Each of these characters adds a layer of complexity and humor to the film, making it an enjoyable and engaging watch.

One of the things that sets Spreading Darkness apart from other crime movies is its unique and quirky sense of humor. Despite its dark subject matter, the film is peppered with witty one-liners and cleverly absurd situations, leading to many moments of laughter amidst the tension.

Another standout aspect of Spreading Darkness is the strong performances from the cast, particularly Eric Roberts and John Savage. Roberts is perfectly cast as the flamboyant and unpredictable Reno, while Savage brings a steely intensity to his role as the corrupt cop. James Duval also delivers a convincing portrayal of Stu, a man who is in over his head but tries to do the right thing in spite of his own weaknesses.

Overall, Spreading Darkness is a fast-paced and entertaining crime-comedy that delivers on both laughs and thrills. Its quirky humor and engaging performances make it stand out from other movies in its genre, and its story of deceit and corruption will keep viewers hooked until the very end.