Instant Favorite.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Goodman has an incurable brain tumour which was stable but has now began to grow. She retreats to her cottage for a break where her writer husband David and her younger sister Melody are staying. It all spirals into a hellishly insane movie: gripping, intriguing and paranoid.'The Dark Hours' is NOT a movie that everyone will appreciate. Those wanting a simple movie spoon fed to them should avoid like the plague. This is a trip into insanity with a non-linear narrative and multiple interpretations. It will frustrate those who aren't willing to give it thought and, perhaps, numerous viewings. If you enjoy the weirder David Lynch movies and films that mess with reality/non-reality like 'Jacob's Ladder' then you'll probably appreciate this low budget Canadian horror/thriller.It's a little on the short side and ends fairly abruptly which disappointed me at first, but the more thought I gave the movie the more I liked the it and its ending. You can end up thinking about it and discussing interpretations until you too feel like you're developing a brain tumour. I highly recommend it, just not to everyone.

When I came across the title I had The Dark in mind. It had Sean Bean and Maria Bello and looked like the more interesting one. But that one turned out to be quite awful. Hence I felt eager to give The Dark Hours a chance. Surely a psychological thriller would be more interesting than your typical supernatural horror? But I have to say that this wasn't the case. The Dark Hours does begin very interesting but ends up a very flat story. I have problems with the fact that this movie is being called a psychological thriller. For me a thriller has to do certain things to be categorized as one. It should do more than just feature a character with psychological issues. Preferably it should tell you a story with twists and turns (that aren't obvious) in order to play with the viewers mind and give the viewer something to think about. Or in the least give you a viewing experience that puts you on this thrill ride (whether it is realistic or far fetched). Especially if the ride is full of unpredictable and surprising moments. Let's be real here. Psychology while mostly interesting and compelling can be downright boring if it is too average and predictable. So how does The Dark Hours fare? Sadly this film doesn't deliver on what is promised. It uses some nice tricks, but too much is given away very early on and you just know something is wrong with one of the persons involved. Just look at the trailer underneath where that plot element is given away. If they had excluded this or not addressed this as profoundly then maybe it would have been shocking. Now I must admit the trailer does suggest that the film is focused on terror and therefore could have been very thrilling. If only they had kept the viewer guessing of what really was going on and make you doubt constantly to know what is real or not. And to then be served with the conclusion they give you certainly would have made an impact. There are a lot of flaws in the plot which could be forgiven if real surprises were in store for the viewer. But people, the movie doesn't offer much on this front. It has some gory moments. Only not done in a matter that could be considered exciting. Despite I could appreciate the attempt to make this kind of thriller.So what are my thoughts now (in 2016)? Honestly, I can't even remember the title let alone that I have seen it. Craziest thing is that I can recall having seen the more awful The Dark. I think I also should have added that a psychological thriller at least should be memorable. The Dark Hours isn't by a long shot. Now this could be one that would be perfect for very late night viewings. You know when you already are half asleep but conscious enough to follow a story. Other than that I can't recommend this at all.

Director Paul Fox' The Dark Hours does one thing extremely well that is a staple of horror--it makes you squirm. This is a very disturbing, occasionally hard to watch film. Viewers with sensitive constitutions should be forewarned.It's not so much that it's gory--although it is a bit, but Fox understands that the key to the effect he's shooting for is character development. So this is ultimately a small ensemble film--five characters in a couple of rooms, and we get to know all of these characters very well, thanks to both the writing, by Wil Zmak, and a fine set of performances. The characters are fully fleshed out and we can either identify and/or sympathize with them, so when some of them do terrible things to others, it has a lot more impact, and even when it's only a threat and there's nothing graphic about it, we feel it almost as if these events were happening to friends. The Dark Hours is very literally a psychological film, a fact reflected in its main character's occupation and the circumstances of the villainous characters.It's also a "rubber reality" film--those are defined partially through "shifting" realities, where we as an audience, usually along with at least some characters, don't know quite what was real, if anything. After the recent spate of rubber reality films that all used essentially the same plot--including Stay (2005), The Jacket (2005), November (2004), The I Inside (2003), and eight or nine others going at least all the way back to Jacob's Ladder (1990) and the short The Awakening (1990)--The Dark Hours very refreshingly uses different kinds of twists in its questionably hallucinatory succession of scenes. The ending of the film is clear enough while still being nicely ambiguous. There is also an alternate ending on the DVD that is less ambiguous, but I don't think it works nearly as well. More ambiguity is better in a film like this.And if you want themes and subtexts, Fox has them here in spades, including the desperation of those who know they're dying, the classic "who's crazy" conundrum between psychiatric professionals and their patients, and the turmoil of disintegrating relationships.But you don't have to pay attention to that stuff to enjoy this excellent film. Just sit back and squirm.

The Dark Hours is one of those rare horror films that takes itself and its audience seriously. There is no black humour, no manic referencing of horror classics and no "someone-is-about-to-get-diced" eerie music. As a result, Paul Fox has succeeded where most American film directors have failed - in making a scary movie that is actually scary.This film reminds me somewhat of Alexandre Aja's hugely over-hyped "Haute Tension". Both films contain violent home invasion scenarios, which are subsequently turned upside down by revelations about the sanity of the protagonists. In this case, the central character, Samantha, joins her husband and sister for a weekend in their remote cabin. Unfortunately, their stay is well and truly ruined by the appearance of Harlan; an ex-patient of Samantha's intent on revenge. As the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly ambiguous as to whether Harlan is real or a projection of Samantha's own psychosis. The reason why I find The Dark Hours superior to "Haute Tension" is that within this film's (albeit unlikely) parameters, the plot twist not only makes sense, it also serves to raise the suspense. Neither of which can be said for the events in Aja's film.Gore hounds need not be concerned. This is not a lame "psychological" thriller. The Dark Hours contains a significant amount of gritty violence and one startling act of self-mutilation. The gore effects are uniformly well done and horror fans will enjoy several unexpectedly grim plot developments. The bloodshed is balance nicely by the terror of Harlan's games (his interpretation of "Truth or Dare" was a highlight) and the uncertainty about Samantha's own mental state.The performances are generally very good. Kate Greenhouse is a revelation as Samantha. Hopefully she'll be leaving Canada for Hollywood in the not too distant future. Aidan Devine is another standout as Harlan. This actor has been under-appreciated for far too long. Harlan is yet another memorable character to add to his long list. The supporting cast is not as impressive. The actors who play Samantha's husband and sister are rather dismal. Their responses during the "Truth or Dare" game are unintentionally amusing, which was really quite a feat given the context. Paul Fox contributes to the film's success with his stylish direction, particularly his innovative use of sound effects and editing.The Dark Hours leaves a number of questions unanswered. You do not have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find holes in the plot, even if they are neatly camouflaged by flashbacks and clever editing. Despite these faults, I enjoyed the film immensely. I just wish someone could tell me what that damn noise in the attic was meant to signify.