VOD Vault: ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ & ‘Visher’ Review
It’s time for another installment of VOD Vault – taking a look at some on-demand releases that have hit various VOD platforms recently. This time round we’ve got a couple of genre films that have flown under the radar of mainstream media…
DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
Stars: Kristanna Loken, Martin Kove, Gabrielle Kalomiris, Jesse Kove, Paola Paulin, Tom Malloy, Courtney Warner | Written and Directed by S.J. Creazzo
Directed by S.J. Creazzo, Dark Night of the Soul is a survival thriller that intertwines psychological drama and existential reflections. The film stars Kristanna Loken as Alex, a brilliant scientist trapped in her car after a catastrophic accident. Amidst her struggle for survival, Alex confronts her haunting past and the burden of holding the key to a pandemic cure. Martin Kove delivers a standout performance as her estranged father, providing some of the most emotionally resonant moments in the film.
The film explores themes of grief, isolation, and redemption. Its narrative alternates between Alex’s claustrophobic reality and her lucid dream-like encounters with memories and symbolic characters, offering a meditative yet uneven portrayal of her psyche. Some scenes feel inspired and poignant, while others lean into melodrama, which dampens the tension of an otherwise dire scenario. The depiction of the pandemic’s stakes sometimes lacks impact, and means the action sometimes feels disconnected from the broader crisis the movie aims to present.
Loken has to be commended for her commitment to her role though. Her performance occasionally wavers, potentially due to inconsistent dialogue and pacing. The supporting cast, including Gabrielle Kalomiris as a symbolic figure, adds depth to Alex’s journey, though not all performances land as convincingly. The movie’s aesthetic choices and thematic ambition deserve recognition, but its execution often feels more suited to a made-for-TV drama than a high-stakes thriller.
While Dark Night of the Soul boasts moments of emotional resonance and gripping tension, its uneven tone and underdeveloped world-building prevent it from fully realizing its potential.
** 2/5
Dark Night of the Soul is out now on digital from Glass House Distribution and Entertainment Squad.
VISHER
Stars: Mandy Lee Rubio, Rahul Chakraborty, Thomas Burke | Written and Directed by Isaac Rodriguez
Isaac Rodriguez’s Visher offers a chilling take on horror by blending the unnerving realities of online scamming with supernatural terror. The story follows Hari, a morally conflicted scammer who preys on a woman named Ruth. Using access gained through deception, Hari spies on her via her webcams and discovers her home is haunted by malevolent entities. The film shifts from a critique of ethical boundaries in technology to an increasingly dark and disturbing narrative.
Like films of a similar ilk, Visher‘s strengths in building suspense through its virtual setting and highlighting the vulnerabilities of modern technology. Mandy Lee Rubio and Rahul Chakraborty deliver compelling performances, with Chakraborty portraying a scammer who oscillates between creepy and empathetic. However, the story’s pacing and the characters’ increasingly irrational behaviour detract from its impact, with the climax managing to be both absurd and unsettlingly grotesque
At just over an hour, Visher is brief but impactful, effectively exploring its themes of voyeurism, guilt, and danger in the digital age.. The film will undoubtedly appeal to fans of minimalist horror and those intrigued by tech-based narratives
*** 3/5
Visher is out now on digital from Breaking Glass Pictures
