You are here:

The Dark

Name: The Dark
Director: John "Bud" Cardos
Released: 1979
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

2.0/10

Limited

1979

Director

John "Bud" Cardos

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Dark is a conventional 1979 horror film that emphasizes genre clichés over social commentary. The narrative structure revolves around traditional investigative roles, primarily featuring male characters pursuing a mysterious killer. Representation is constrained by the era's filmmaking standards, resulting in a homogeneous cast and a lack of diverse identities. While a female reporter is present, the film does not challenge patriarchal or racial hierarchies. Ultimately, the film presents a straightforward survival narrative. It employs established genre archetypes, such as the 'mystic' psychic, without offering deeper or more inclusive explorations of identity or disability.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Dark have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. It follows typical 1970s horror conventions without any queer themes.

How does The Dark portray gender?

Limited

A female TV reporter provides a professional role, but the story is driven by a male detective and a grieving father. The film relies on traditional gender roles typical of its time.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Dark?

Limited

The film lacks a diverse cast, following standard late-1970s casting practices. It centers on a predominantly white ensemble set in Los Angeles.

How does The Dark represent religion and culture?

Limited

The plot focuses on restoring order through police and media institutions without critiquing Western structures. It operates as a standard survival horror without significant cultural critique.

Does The Dark include disability representation?

Minimal

The psychic character DeRenzy serves as a supernatural plot device rather than a nuanced exploration of disability. There is no evidence of characters with disabilities having independent roles.

Present on Screen

Includes a female professional in the role of a TV reporter.

Limited or Absent

Lacks LGBTQ+ representation and non-straight relationships.
Relies on a male-dominated investigative structure.
Features a predominantly white ensemble with little racial diversity.
Uses psychic abilities as a cliché without exploring disability.
Does not critique or subvert traditional Western social hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

At night the Mangler stalks the streets of Los Angeles, killing and mutilating random victims. On the trail are a TV reporter, the father of one of the victims, and a police detective, but despite their efforts only the mysterious psychic DeRenzy knows what the killer is and how to stop it.

How are these scores produced? →