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| image = Down A Dark Hall Poster.jpg
| image = Down A Dark Hall Poster.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Film poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Rodrigo Cortés]]
| director = [[Rodrigo Cortés]]
| producer = {{plainlist|
| producer = {{plainlist|
* [[Stephenie Meyer]]
⚫
* Marty Bowen
* [[Wyck Godfrey]]
* [[Wyck Godfrey]]
⚫
* Marty Bowen
* [[Adrian Guerra]]
* Meghan Hibbett
* Meghan Hibbett
* [[Stephenie Meyer]]
* [[Adrian Guerra]]
* Núria Valls
}}
}}
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
* Michael Goldbach
* Mike Goldbach
* [[Chris Sparling]]
* [[Chris Sparling]]
}}
}}
Line 21: Line 20:
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[AnnaSophia Robb]]
* [[AnnaSophia Robb]]
⚫
* [[Uma Thurman]]
⚫
* [[Victoria Moroles]]
* [[Isabelle Fuhrman]]
* [[Isabelle Fuhrman]]
⚫
* [[Victoria Moroles]]
⚫
* Noah Silver
* [[Taylor Russell]]
* [[Taylor Russell]]
* [[Rosie Day]]
* [[Rosie Day]]
⚫
* [[Uma Thurman]]
⚫
* Noah Silver
}}
}}
| music = Víctor Reyes
| music = Víctor Reyes
Line 32: Line 31:
| editing = Rodrigo Cortés
| editing = Rodrigo Cortés
| studio = {{Plainlist|
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* [[Summit Entertainment]]
* Fickle Fish Films<ref name=insight>{{cite web|url=https://www.varietyinsight.com/print_featurefilm_releases.php|title=Film releases|work=[[Variety Insight]]|publisher=[[Variety Media]]|access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Temple Hill Entertainment]]<ref name=insight>{{cite web|url=https://www.varietyinsight.com/print_featurefilm_releases.php|title=Film releases|work=[[Variety Insight]]|access-date=August 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140248/https://www.varietyinsight.com/print_featurefilm_releases.php|archive-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref>
⚫
* Fickle Fish Films<ref name=insight/>
* Nostromo Pictures<ref name=insight/>
* Nostromo Pictures<ref name=insight/>
⚫
* [[Temple Hill Entertainment]]<ref name=insight/>
}}
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
| distributor = [[Summit Entertainment]]<ref name=insight/> (United States)<br>[[Entertainment One]] (Spain)<ref name="BOM"/>
* [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]] (United States)<ref name=insight/>
⚫
| released = {{film date|2018|8|17}}
* [[Entertainment One]] (Spain)<ref name="BOM"/>
⚫
}}
⚫
| released = {{Film date|2018|8|1|Italy|2018|8|3|Spain|2018|8|17|United States}}
| runtime = 96 minutes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film457623.html|title=Down a Dark Hall|work=[[FilmAffinity]]|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
| runtime = 96 minutes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film457623.html|title=Down a Dark Hall|work=[[FilmAffinity]]|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
| country = {{Plainlist|
| country = {{Plainlist|
* United States<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/down-a-dark-hall-v702906|title= Down a Dark Hall (2018) |work=[[AllMovie]]|publisher=[[RhythmOne]] |access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>
* United States<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/down-a-dark-hall-v702906|title= Down a Dark Hall (2018) |work=[[AllMovie]] |access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>
* Spain<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/down-a-dark-hall-review-1202907055/|first=Dennis|last=Harvey|title=Film Review: ‘Down a Dark Hall’|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Business Media]]|access-date=August 21, 2018|date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>
* Spain<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/down-a-dark-hall-review-1202907055/|first=Dennis|last=Harvey|title=Film Review: 'Down a Dark Hall'|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=August 21, 2018|date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>
}}
}}
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $4 million<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Down-a-Dark-Hall#tab=summary|title=Down a Dark Hall (2018)|website=The Numbers}}</ref>
| budget =
| gross = $2.16 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=ES&id=_fDOWNADARKHALL01|title=Down a Dark Hall|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref>
| gross = $2.7 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2372251/|title=Down a Dark Hall (2018)|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Down a Dark Hall''''' is an American-Spanish [[supernatural horror film]] directed by [[Rodrigo Cortés]] and written by [[Chris Sparling]] and Michael Goldbach. It is based on the 1974 [[Down a Dark Hall|novel of the same name]] by [[Lois Duncan]].
'''''Down a Dark Hall''''' is a 2018 [[supernatural horror film]] directed by [[Rodrigo Cortés]] and written by [[Chris Sparling]] and Michael Goldbach. It is based on the 1974 [[Down a Dark Hall|novel of the same name]] by [[Lois Duncan]]. [[Summit Entertainment]] released it in [[Limited theatrical release|select theaters]] and through [[video-on-demand]] in the United States on August 17, 2018.

The film was released on August 17, 2018 with a [[limited release]] in theaters and a direct-to-[[video-on-demand|VOD]], by [[Summit Entertainment]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
Kit Gordy ([[AnnaSophia Robb]]), a difficult young girl, is sent to the mysterious Blackwood Boarding School when her delinquent behavior becomes too much for her school to handle. When she arrives at Blackwood, Kit meets eccentric headmistress Madame Duret ([[Uma Thurman]]) and the school's only other students, four teenage girls with similar behavioral problems (Veronica, Ashley, Sierra, and Izzy). Technology is rarely used, and the girls can only phone their families in the domineering presence of the headmistress. The girls attend a variety of creative and intellectual classes, which begins to draw out unknown talents in the girls.
Kit Gordy, a difficult young girl, is sent to the mysterious Blackwood Boarding School after her delinquent behavior becomes too much for her school to handle. When she arrives at Blackwood, Kit meets eccentric headmistress Madame Duret and the school's only other students, four teenage girls with similar behavioral problems (Veronica, Ashley, Sierra, and Izzy). Technology is rarely used, and the girls can only phone their families in the domineering presence of the headmistress. The girls attend a variety of creative and intellectual classes, which begins to draw out unknown talents in them.


Sierra is the first to show a troubling obsession with her work, losing sleep, refusing to eat, and going into odd trances while creating amazing works of art. Ashley writes beautiful poetry and stories that deeply disturb her. Kit and Izzy slowly begin to experience the same bad side effects, saying it was like someone else was using their bodies. Only the belligerent Veronica shows no progress, much to Madame Duret's annoyance. During art class Kit notices that all of Sierra's paintings are signed "TC" and searches the school's library for answers. She realizes that Sierra is recreating paintings by the deceased artist Thomas Cole, and that the others are producing work from other dead genuises.
Sierra is the first to show a troubling obsession with her work, losing sleep, refusing to eat, and going into odd trances while creating amazing works of art. Ashley writes beautiful poetry and stories that deeply disturb her. Kit and Izzy slowly begin to experience the same bad side effects, saying it was like someone else was using their bodies. Only the belligerent Veronica shows no progress, much to Madame Duret's annoyance. During art class Kit notices that all of Sierra's paintings are signed "TC" and searches the school's library for answers. She realizes that Sierra is recreating paintings by the deceased artist [[Thomas Cole]], and that the others are producing work from other dead geniuses.


Kit convinces Veronica to search the restricted areas of the school, where they come across old student records and more information on the people possessing the girls. When Madame Duret discovers Veronica alone she chains her up in an unused part of the school, explaining that the students are not merely vessels for the dead, but donors, unknowingly sacrificing themselves to be used to continue the careers of famous minds, whom she is able to commune with and channel into the girls' bodies. Kit calls the police and confronts the headmistress about everything. By now Sierra has already died from overwork, and Ashley jumps to her death to stop the possession taking over completely.
Kit convinces Veronica to search the restricted areas of the school, where they come across old student records and more information on the people possessing the girls. When Madame Duret discovers Veronica alone she chains her up in an unused part of the school, explaining that the students are not merely vessels for the dead, but donors, unknowingly sacrificing themselves to be used to continue the careers of famous minds, whom she is able to commune with and channel into the girls' bodies. Kit calls the police and confronts the headmistress about everything. By now Sierra has already died from overwork, and Ashley jumps to her death to stop the possession taking over completely.
Line 61: Line 62:


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[AnnaSophia Robb]] as Catherine "Kit"
* [[AnnaSophia Robb]] as Katherine "Kit" Gordy
** Julia Stressen-Reuter as Young Kit
** Julia Stressen-Reuter as Young Kit
* [[Uma Thurman]] as Madame Duret
* [[Uma Thurman]] as Madame Duret
* [[Victoria Moroles]] as Veronica<ref name=Moroles>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/victoria-moroles-down-a-dark-hall-teen-wolf-1201898711/ |title=‘Teen Wolf’ Star Victoria Moroles Joins Lionsgate Thriller ‘Down a Dark Hall’ |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |date=October 24, 2016 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media]] |access-date=November 9, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Victoria Moroles]] as Veronica<ref name=Moroles>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/victoria-moroles-down-a-dark-hall-teen-wolf-1201898711/ |title='Teen Wolf' Star Victoria Moroles Joins Lionsgate Thriller 'Down a Dark Hall' |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 24, 2016 |work=Variety |access-date=November 9, 2016}}</ref>
* Noah Silver as Jules Duret
* Noah Silver as Jules Duret
* [[Isabelle Fuhrman]] as Izzy
* [[Isabelle Fuhrman]] as Izzy
Line 80: Line 81:


==Production==
==Production==
[[Stephenie Meyer]] optioned the Lois Duncan novel in April 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Rachel |title=Stephenie Meyer options tome 'Dark Hall' |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/stephenie-meyer-options-tome-dark-hall-1118052822/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=May 29, 2019 |date=April 18, 2012}}</ref> In July 2014, [[Lionsgate]] acquired the film. Rodrigo Cortés was announced as the director the same day, and screenwriter Chris Sparling was set to work using a previous draft by Michael Goldbach.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/twilight-author-stephenie-meyer-going-down-a-dark-hall-with-new-ya-horror-movie/ |title='Twilight' author Stephenie Meyer going 'Down a Dark Hall' with new YA horror movie |last1=Eggertsen |first1=Chris |date=July 30, 2014|publisher=[[Uproxx]] |work=[[HitFix]] |access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> In early October 2016, AnnaSophia Robb was announced to play the main role, and [[Taylor Russell]] joined the cast three days later.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/annasophia-robb-down-a-dark-hall-1201882020/ |title=AnnaSophia Robb to Star in Supernatural Drama ‘Down a Dark Hall’ From Stephenie Meyer |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |date=October 7, 2016|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media]] |access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=Russell>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/down-a-dark-hall-movie-adaptation-taylor-russell-annasophia-robb-1201882096/ |title=‘Down a Dark Hall’ Movie Adaptation With AnnaSophia Robb Casts Taylor Russell |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |date=October 10, 2016|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media]] |access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> On October 24, Victoria Moroles joined the cast as Veronica.<ref name=Moroles/>
[[Stephenie Meyer]] optioned the Lois Duncan novel in April 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last=Abrams |first=Rachel |title=Stephenie Meyer options tome 'Dark Hall' |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/stephenie-meyer-options-tome-dark-hall-1118052822/ |website=Variety |access-date=May 29, 2019 |date=April 18, 2012}}</ref> In July 2014, [[Lionsgate]] acquired the film. Rodrigo Cortés was announced as the director the same day, and screenwriter Chris Sparling was set to work using a previous draft by Michael Goldbach.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/twilight-author-stephenie-meyer-going-down-a-dark-hall-with-new-ya-horror-movie/ |title='Twilight' author Stephenie Meyer going 'Down a Dark Hall' with new YA horror movie |last=Eggertsen |first=Chris |date=July 30, 2014 |website=[[HitFix]] |access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> In early October 2016, AnnaSophia Robb was announced to play the main role, and [[Taylor Russell]] joined the cast three days later.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/annasophia-robb-down-a-dark-hall-1201882020/ |title=AnnaSophia Robb to Star in Supernatural Drama 'Down a Dark Hall' From Stephenie Meyer |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=October 7, 2016|work=Variety |access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=Russell>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/down-a-dark-hall-movie-adaptation-taylor-russell-annasophia-robb-1201882096/ |title='Down a Dark Hall' Movie Adaptation With AnnaSophia Robb Casts Taylor Russell |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 10, 2016|work=Variety |access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> On October 24, Victoria Moroles joined the cast as Veronica.<ref name=Moroles/>


To promote the pending release, [[Summit Entertainment]] released a movie trailer online for the film on May 22, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/947503-down-a-dark-hall-trailer-welcome-to-blackwood-boarding-school |title=Down a Dark Hall Trailer: Welcome to Blackwood Boarding School|first=Hemmert|last=Kyle|date=May 22, 2018 |website=ComingSoon.net |publisher=[[CraveOnline|Mandatory]] |access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>
To promote the pending release, [[Summit Entertainment]] released a trailer online for the film on May 22, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/947503-down-a-dark-hall-trailer-welcome-to-blackwood-boarding-school |title=Down a Dark Hall Trailer: Welcome to Blackwood Boarding School|first=Hemmert|last=Kyle|date=May 22, 2018 |website=[[ComingSoon.net]] |access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>


===Filming===
===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] began in October 2016 in [[Barcelona]].<ref name=Russell/> with [[Jarin Blaschke]] as the director of photography. After four weeks of shooting in Barcelona and two weeks in the [[Canary Islands]], filming ended in December 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cineytele.com/2016/12/21/rodrigo-cortes-finaliza-el-rodaje-de-down-a-dark-hall/ |title=Rodrigo Cortés finaliza el rodaje de ‘Down a Dark Hall’ |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=December 21, 2016 |website=Cine y Tele |access-date=December 22, 2016 |language=es}}</ref>
[[Principal photography]] began in October 2016 in [[Barcelona]].<ref name=Russell/> with [[Jarin Blaschke]] as the director of photography. After four weeks of shooting in Barcelona and two weeks in the [[Canary Islands]], filming ended in December 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cineytele.com/2016/12/21/rodrigo-cortes-finaliza-el-rodaje-de-down-a-dark-hall/ |title=Rodrigo Cortés finaliza el rodaje de 'Down a Dark Hall' |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=December 21, 2016 |website=Cine y Tele |access-date=December 22, 2016 |language=es}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
The film was released on August 17, 2018, by [[Summit Entertainment]]. It was released simultaneously in theaters, with a [[limited release]], and on digital through [[video-on-demand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lionsgatepublicity.com/theatrical/downadarkhall/|title=Down a Dark Hall|website=Lionsgate Publicity|publisher=[[Lionsgate|Lions Gate Entertainment]]|access-date=April 9, 2018}}</ref> The film was scheduled for release on Blu-ray combo pack and DVD October 16, 2018 by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/down-a-dark-hall.html|title=Down a Dark Hall (US - DVD R1 {{!}} BD RA)|first=Gabriel|last=Powers|work=DVD Active|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
''Down a Dark Hall'' was released in Italy on August 1, 2018, and in Spain on August 3, 2018.<ref name="BOM"/> In the United States, the film was released on August 17, 2018, by [[Summit Entertainment]] simultaneously in [[Limited theatrical release|select theaters]] and via [[video-on-demand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lionsgatepublicity.com/theatrical/downadarkhall/|title=Down a Dark Hall|website=Lionsgate Publicity|publisher=[[Lionsgate|Lions Gate Entertainment]]|access-date=April 9, 2018}}</ref> The film was released on Blu-ray combo pack and DVD on October 16, 2018, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/down-a-dark-hall.html|title=Down a Dark Hall (US - DVD R1 {{!}} BD RA)|first=Gabriel|last=Powers|work=DVD Active|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
''Down a Dark Hall'' received mixed reviews from critics. On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film holds an approval rating of 50% based on 26 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5/10. The site's critic consensus reads: "''Down a Dark Hall'' is more stylish than scary, although its foreboding atmosphere may raise a few goosebumps among younger viewers".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/down_a_dark_hall/|title=Down a Dark Hall (2018)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref>
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews and has an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critics consensus reads: "''Down a Dark Hall'' is more stylish than scary, although its foreboding atmosphere may raise a few goosebumps among younger viewers."<ref name=rt>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/down_a_dark_hall|title=Down a Dark Hall (2018)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metacritic.com/movie/down-a-dark-hall |title=Down a Dark Hall Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=August 19, 2018}}</ref>


⚫
==References==
On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metacritic.com/movie/down-a-dark-hall |title=Down a Dark Hall Reviews |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=August 19, 2018}}</ref>

⚫
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
*{{IMDb title|2372251}}
* {{IMDb title|2372251}}

{{navbox
⚫
|name = Rodrigo Cortés
|title = Films directed by [[Rodrigo Cortés]]
|state = {{{state|}}}
|listclass = hlist

|list1 =
* ''[[Buried (film)|Buried]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Red Lights (2012 film)|Red Lights]]'' (2012)
* ''Down a Dark Hall'' (2018)
⚫
}}


{{Lois Duncan}}
{{Lois Duncan}}
⚫
{{Rodrigo Cortés}}


[[Category:2018 horror films]]
[[Category:2018 horror films]]
[[Category:2010s fantasy films]]
[[Category:2018 films]]
[[Category:2018 horror thriller films]]
[[Category:2018 horror thriller films]]
[[Category:2010s ghost films]]
[[Category:2010s ghost films]]
[[Category:Summit Entertainment films]]
[[Category:2010s supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:2010s supernatural thriller films]]
[[Category:American ghost films]]
[[Category:American haunted house films]]
[[Category:American horror drama films]]
[[Category:American horror thriller films]]
[[Category:American horror thriller films]]
[[Category:American supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:American supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:American supernatural thriller films]]
[[Category:American supernatural thriller films]]
[[Category:American ghost films]]
[[Category:Films set in boarding schools]]
[[Category:Spanish films]]
[[Category:Films about spirit possession]]
[[Category:Spanish horror films]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Rodrigo Cortés]]
[[Category:American horror drama films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Wyck Godfrey]]
[[Category:Films shot in Barcelona]]
[[Category:Films shot in Barcelona]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Canary Islands]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Canary Islands]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films set in country houses]]
[[Category:Gothic horror films]]
[[Category:Gothic horror films]]
[[Category:Boarding school films]]
[[Category:Spanish ghost films]]
[[Category:American haunted house films]]
[[Category:Spanish horror thriller films]]
[[Category:Films about spirit possession]]
[[Category:Spanish supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:Suicide in film]]
[[Category:Summit Entertainment films]]
[[Category:Films set in country houses]]
[[Category:Temple Hill Entertainment films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Wyck Godfrey]]
[[Category:Nostromo Pictures films]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s American films]]

Latest revision as of 19:16, 26 June 2024

Down a Dark Hall
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRodrigo Cortés
Screenplay by
Based onDown a Dark Hall
by Lois Duncan
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJarin Blaschke
Edited byRodrigo Cortés
Music byVíctor Reyes
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • August 1, 2018 (2018-08-01) (Italy)
  • August 3, 2018 (2018-08-03) (Spain)
  • August 17, 2018 (2018-08-17) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes[3]
Countries
SpracheEnglisch
Budget$4 million[6]
Box office$2.7 million[2]

Down a Dark Hall is a 2018 supernatural horror film directed by Rodrigo Cortés and written by Chris Sparling and Michael Goldbach. It is based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Lois Duncan. Summit Entertainment released it in select theaters and through video-on-demand in the United States on August 17, 2018.

Plot

[edit]

Kit Gordy, a difficult young girl, is sent to the mysterious Blackwood Boarding School after her delinquent behavior becomes too much for her school to handle. When she arrives at Blackwood, Kit meets eccentric headmistress Madame Duret and the school's only other students, four teenage girls with similar behavioral problems (Veronica, Ashley, Sierra, and Izzy). Technology is rarely used, and the girls can only phone their families in the domineering presence of the headmistress. The girls attend a variety of creative and intellectual classes, which begins to draw out unknown talents in them.

Sierra is the first to show a troubling obsession with her work, losing sleep, refusing to eat, and going into odd trances while creating amazing works of art. Ashley writes beautiful poetry and stories that deeply disturb her. Kit and Izzy slowly begin to experience the same bad side effects, saying it was like someone else was using their bodies. Only the belligerent Veronica shows no progress, much to Madame Duret's annoyance. During art class Kit notices that all of Sierra's paintings are signed "TC" and searches the school's library for answers. She realizes that Sierra is recreating paintings by the deceased artist Thomas Cole, and that the others are producing work from other dead geniuses.

Kit convinces Veronica to search the restricted areas of the school, where they come across old student records and more information on the people possessing the girls. When Madame Duret discovers Veronica alone she chains her up in an unused part of the school, explaining that the students are not merely vessels for the dead, but donors, unknowingly sacrificing themselves to be used to continue the careers of famous minds, whom she is able to commune with and channel into the girls' bodies. Kit calls the police and confronts the headmistress about everything. By now Sierra has already died from overwork, and Ashley jumps to her death to stop the possession taking over completely.

While struggling to free Veronica, Kit knocks over some candles, and fire quickly spreads throughout the old building. Izzy succumbs to the beauty of the flames, leaving only Kit and Veronica to escape. Madame Duret is eventually possessed by her former pupils and consumed by the fire. Kit passes out and meets her deceased father, who convinces her to stay and live. She wakes up in the back of an ambulance with her mother by her side.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Stephenie Meyer optioned the Lois Duncan novel in April 2012.[8] In July 2014, Lionsgate acquired the film. Rodrigo Cortés was announced as the director the same day, and screenwriter Chris Sparling was set to work using a previous draft by Michael Goldbach.[9] In early October 2016, AnnaSophia Robb was announced to play the main role, and Taylor Russell joined the cast three days later.[10][11] On October 24, Victoria Moroles joined the cast as Veronica.[7]

To promote the pending release, Summit Entertainment released a trailer online for the film on May 22, 2018.[12]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography began in October 2016 in Barcelona.[11] with Jarin Blaschke as the director of photography. After four weeks of shooting in Barcelona and two weeks in the Canary Islands, filming ended in December 2016.[13]

Release

[edit]

Down a Dark Hall was released in Italy on August 1, 2018, and in Spain on August 3, 2018.[2] In the United States, the film was released on August 17, 2018, by Summit Entertainment simultaneously in select theaters and via video-on-demand.[14] The film was released on Blu-ray combo pack and DVD on October 16, 2018, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.[15]

Reception

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 48% based on 27 reviews and has an average rating of 5.3/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Down a Dark Hall is more stylish than scary, although its foreboding atmosphere may raise a few goosebumps among younger viewers."[16] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Film releases". Variety Insight. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Down a Dark Hall (2018)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "Down a Dark Hall". FilmAffinity. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  4. ^ "Down a Dark Hall (2018)". AllMovie. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  5. ^ Harvey, Dennis (August 16, 2018). "Film Review: 'Down a Dark Hall'". Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "Down a Dark Hall (2018)". The Numbers.
  7. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (October 24, 2016). "'Teen Wolf' Star Victoria Moroles Joins Lionsgate Thriller 'Down a Dark Hall'". Variety. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  8. ^ Abrams, Rachel (April 18, 2012). "Stephenie Meyer options tome 'Dark Hall'". Variety. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  9. ^ Eggertsen, Chris (July 30, 2014). "'Twilight' author Stephenie Meyer going 'Down a Dark Hall' with new YA horror movie". HitFix. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  10. ^ McNary, Dave (October 7, 2016). "AnnaSophia Robb to Star in Supernatural Drama 'Down a Dark Hall' From Stephenie Meyer". Variety. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (October 10, 2016). "'Down a Dark Hall' Movie Adaptation With AnnaSophia Robb Casts Taylor Russell". Variety. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  12. ^ Kyle, Hemmert (May 22, 2018). "Down a Dark Hall Trailer: Welcome to Blackwood Boarding School". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "Rodrigo Cortés finaliza el rodaje de 'Down a Dark Hall'". Cine y Tele (in Spanish). December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  14. ^ "Down a Dark Hall". Lionsgate Publicity. Lions Gate Entertainment. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  15. ^ Powers, Gabriel. "Down a Dark Hall (US - DVD R1 | BD RA)". DVD Active. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  16. ^ "Down a Dark Hall (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  17. ^ "Down a Dark Hall Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
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