"Beyond Darkness", also branded as the fifth sequel to the "Evil Dead" franchise, has absolutely nothing to do with said franchise. It could be regarded, however, as part of a quadrilogy, along with "Ghosthouse" (1988), "Witchery" (1988) and "Killing Birds" (1988), all Filmirage productions that were also branded as sequels to "The Evil Dead". Though not connected plot-wise, these flicks offer a somewhat distinctive atmosphere and musical score that brings them together in a way that could link them as "sister movies".
Director Claudio Fragasso (here credited as Clyde Anderson), who directed a modest number of low budget horror productions under different aliases (including the infamous "Troll 2"), gives us a film that provides a restricted amount of sense and more than a couple of ridiculous moments for the sole purpose of shock value. In the end, however, "Beyond Darkness" sure is fun to watch and more respectable than I initially had hoped for. To enjoy a movie like this, you have to be able to get past the campy moments that are prominently featured in these particular Italian/American horror productions from the 80s (or early 90s, in this case).
In "Beyond Darkness", a family of four moves into a big house, which was given to them by the church, since the man of said family, Peter, is a reverend. As soon as they arrive, bizarre events begin to take place in the house. The children, Carole and Martin, begin to hear sounds and voices coming from a wall, which is, in fact, a portal that leads to a very sinister realm, inhabited by a group of witches that were once burned at the stake. The family members are pit against the forces of evil that dwell within the walls of their home, as the coven of witches want to take both Martin and Carole and offer them to their god.
This movie ticks all the boxes to be a fun "Good vs. Evil" type of horror flick and it succeeds in delivering all the cliches perfectly well. The lazy or inconsistent writing leaves a bunch of ambiguous details hanging and it is up to the viewer to find a rational explanation. Fragasso finds a way to combine elements of "The Exorcist" and "Poltergeist", while also providing the movie with its own distinctive nature. In spite of the lazy writing, the film doesn't feel like a major "what the fudge?" experience and, trust me, this is something very frequent in Italian-American horror productions from the 80s.
In the acting department, "Beyond Darkness" doesn't really disappoint. Gene LeBrock, as Father Peter is not a very interesting character, but he gets the job done. Mary Coulson, on the other hand, does an incredible work playing a deranged and sadistic killer and the leader of the witches. The rest of the main cast is completed with David Brandon, who plays Father George, a former priest and full-time alcoholic who is devoted to fight against the forces of evil. Brandon has a lot of experience in horror flicks, and especially with the Italian company Filmirage, usually playing intense and histrionic roles and in this particular case, both attributes are taken to the extreme, in a way that is consistent with his character.
The score by Carlo Maria Cordio, which is basically a rehash from "Witchery" (1988) and "Killing Birds" (1988), fits this movie perfectly, especially the dramatic pipe organ music that enhances the dark atmosphere considerably. Rehash or not, Cordio really is one talented composers and he has worked in several horror productions, providing strong and distinctive music that really intensifies the dramatic tone.
Director Claudio Fragasso (here credited as Clyde Anderson), who directed a modest number of low budget horror productions under different aliases (including the infamous "Troll 2"), gives us a film that provides a restricted amount of sense and more than a couple of ridiculous moments for the sole purpose of shock value. In the end, however, "Beyond Darkness" sure is fun to watch and more respectable than I initially had hoped for. To enjoy a movie like this, you have to be able to get past the campy moments that are prominently featured in these particular Italian/American horror productions from the 80s (or early 90s, in this case).
In "Beyond Darkness", a family of four moves into a big house, which was given to them by the church, since the man of said family, Peter, is a reverend. As soon as they arrive, bizarre events begin to take place in the house. The children, Carole and Martin, begin to hear sounds and voices coming from a wall, which is, in fact, a portal that leads to a very sinister realm, inhabited by a group of witches that were once burned at the stake. The family members are pit against the forces of evil that dwell within the walls of their home, as the coven of witches want to take both Martin and Carole and offer them to their god.
This movie ticks all the boxes to be a fun "Good vs. Evil" type of horror flick and it succeeds in delivering all the cliches perfectly well. The lazy or inconsistent writing leaves a bunch of ambiguous details hanging and it is up to the viewer to find a rational explanation. Fragasso finds a way to combine elements of "The Exorcist" and "Poltergeist", while also providing the movie with its own distinctive nature. In spite of the lazy writing, the film doesn't feel like a major "what the fudge?" experience and, trust me, this is something very frequent in Italian-American horror productions from the 80s.
In the acting department, "Beyond Darkness" doesn't really disappoint. Gene LeBrock, as Father Peter is not a very interesting character, but he gets the job done. Mary Coulson, on the other hand, does an incredible work playing a deranged and sadistic killer and the leader of the witches. The rest of the main cast is completed with David Brandon, who plays Father George, a former priest and full-time alcoholic who is devoted to fight against the forces of evil. Brandon has a lot of experience in horror flicks, and especially with the Italian company Filmirage, usually playing intense and histrionic roles and in this particular case, both attributes are taken to the extreme, in a way that is consistent with his character.
The score by Carlo Maria Cordio, which is basically a rehash from "Witchery" (1988) and "Killing Birds" (1988), fits this movie perfectly, especially the dramatic pipe organ music that enhances the dark atmosphere considerably. Rehash or not, Cordio really is one talented composers and he has worked in several horror productions, providing strong and distinctive music that really intensifies the dramatic tone.