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Review- In Search of Darkness Part III

in search of darkness 3 poster

Grab some popcorn and get comfortable because In Search of Darkness is back! 

In Search of Darkness Part III is here to rightly resurrect the 1980s and discuss all things slashers, splatters, and sleaze-fests, digging into what many would describe as the golden age of horror cinema. 

In the 1980s, horror movies were blood-ridden and sheer full-throttle rides into extreme horror, taking the exploitation factors seen within 1970s grindhouse flicks and the desensitised sensibilities that were on the rise during the eighties to create films oozing with sex and violence. The subtext during this time was feral. The UK was up in arms with the video’s nasty panic, and the public was hungrier than ever for violent feasts. In Search of Darkness perfectly captures all of this with an energetic discourse that keeps the 5hr 38min runtime refreshing. 

The segments follow in similar succession to its predecessors, allowing each year within the decade to be easily accounted for. Joining the dense sequences of film explorations are the stellar interviews that accompany each section and offer a range of experts’ and aficionados’ opinions on the genre greats from the decade. 

The sheer beloved devotion that the documentary shows is a dedication to horror cinema, almost like a bloodied love letter to all things slashers that interestingly enough refuses to gatekeep the decade’s work to its original fans. In fact, In Search of Darkness welcomes new viewers and curiosity-seekers with open arms, abandoning the harsh mentality that younger generations only flock to the latest blockbusters and jumpscare-ridden frights. 

Each segment, whether it’s cataloguing the greatest horror villains of all time, describing the most horrific death scenes from the classics, or revisiting the outstanding practical effects of the decade, every minute is covered by the best experts in the field. It will be of no surprise to anyone who is a keen viewer of the previous documentaries that Part III includes the notorious legends from horror cinema, including the likes of John Carpenter, Robert Englund, Barbara Crampton, Joe Dante, Linnea Quigley, Felissa Rose, Caroline Williams, Tom Savini, Bill Moseley, and Tom Atkins. 


In Search of Darkness Part III is an encyclopaedia of 1980s horror that belongs on every horror fan’s radar.

Catch ISOD 3 right now on shudder, or order the physical release this via CreatorVC.

Want more top horror lists and reviews? Check out our blog here..

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This week in horror – 14.05.21

dead northern news

The controversial 1970s film ‘Faces of Death’ set for a remake from Cam creators 

The 1978 mondo film Faces of Death set audiences roaring upon its release. Never had viewers come across such so-called ‘filth’, with the UK hastily adding it to the infamous Video Nasty list. Now, we have not only become rather desentized to such material, but often there is a keen rejoice in praising once-controversial films.

The remake will follow the original closely but with a modern spin; the story will follow a young woman whose job it is to moderate and cleanse an internet streaming site of obscene material, but she soon stumbles across a channel showcasing snuff films. It is now her responsibility to uncover whether these gruesome clips are genuine murders, or some amateurs attempting to gain online fame. The remake will see a reunion of Daniel Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei who collaborated together in another online-based horror, Cam (2018). 

1980s documentary series In Search of Darkness announces a Part III

In Search of Darkness brought together all things holy within the horror world; featuring the genre’s most beloved icons, including Caroline Williams, Tom Savini, Robert Englund, Bill Moseley, Doug Bradley, Barbra Crampton and Kane Hodder. After a successful Part II, which acted as a continuation of this 1980s extravaganza, it was announced that a third entry into this documentary series is in development.

The new doc brings about a whole new wave of excitement, as they are welcoming fans to contribute with an official tweet inviting 1980s horror aficionados to help the creators in what movies and topics they want covered. It was made clear from Part I that the four-hour long film would be entirely inclusive to all areas of the genre, with discussions ranging from cult classics to the more unknown films to come from this iconic era. 

Check out our review for In Search of Darkness Part II 

George A. Romero’s lost film ‘The Amusement Park’ is restored for a summer Shudder release 

Romero’s legacy has pioneered the genre, not only due to his revolutionary zombie films including Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, but also due to his avid adventurous filmmaking that always manages to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Shudder has released an official trailer for his supposed ‘lost’ film The Amusement Park which will finally get a wide release this summer.

Filmed in 1973 was one of Romero’s most underweighted and controversial films, with it not even garnering a release. The Lutheran Society had contacted Romero about making a film on ageism and elder abuse, however due to its gruesome content it was shelved for over 40 years. It had a miniscule premiere in 2018, but audiences will finally get to see what is known as one of the most ‘Romero-esque’ films he ever made. 

DC set to release horror comics centring around The Conjuring franchise

Comic book powerhouse ‘DC’ recently announced their latest project and new venture into the horror universe, The Conjuring comics. The new line of comics will attempt to reach further than their usual audiences by drawing in horror and thriller fans as new readers. The first issue titled The Conjuring: The Lover, will be released as a prelude to the upcoming film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and follows a young college student who is dealing with a bad romantic experience paired with poor grades and mounting pressures, however she soon feels an uneasy presence that is holding an evil power over her life.

As the first issue shows, the comics will follow a clear character-driven study, with the horror arising from emotional and personal issues. The limited series will help majorly set up the above mentioned third Conjuring movie, with writer David Leslie johnson-McGoldrick (The Conjuring 2) co-writing the first issue with Rex Ogle. 

John Carpenter and Sandy King Carpenter announces new podcast collaboration with Realm 

Horror legend John Carpenter has brought us classics such as Halloween, The Thing and They Live, and now an official three series podcast released via Realm. Carpenter will collaborate with his wife Sandy King Carpenter, who has acted as a script supervisor on multiple projects including, Sixteen Candles, Big Trouble in Little China and Prince of Darkness. Together they revealed that their three shows Roanoke Falls, Angels to Some and Furnace will have a scattered release with Roanoke Falls being released first in October this year, with the other two series being released in late 2022.

Details have remained tightly guarded, but what we do know is that each series will follow different areas of horror, ranging from serial killers and the paranormal to sci-fi frights.

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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Interviews Reviews

Review – In Search of Darkness: Part II

in search of darkness part 2

When the rapidly successful In Search of Darkness (David A. Weiner, 2019) hit screens audiences were gripped by its engrossing take on eighties horror and critics were enthralled by the absorbing and ambitious love letter to what is possibly one of the greatest decades in horror. Thus, it’s no surprise that In Search of Darkness: Part II burst onto the scene with deserved appraisal.

In search of Darkness Part II
Purchase of part II included 3 posters of original artwork, copy of part I and retro pin badge.

After how much content was covered the first four and half hour entry, it bears the worry that Part II would just be a replica and repetitive. However, what we get instead is a more unique and refreshing film that delves into a variety of horror sub topics and a delightfully varied array of films that combined both well-known classics and some more obscure gems that thrived in the 1980s. The film relies heavily on reminiscence and a nostalgic sensibility, yet there is no bounding exclusivity that confines new spectators to the decade; in fact the film is almost an educative bible for those new to horror, acting as a vivacious horror encyclopaedia.

Geretta Geretta Demons
Gerreta Geretta in 80’s cult hit Demons


The four hour long runtime can be intimidating even for seasoned cinema fans, but the film uses cleverly placed sections to not only aid an easy digest for such a long runtime, but to also add depth to the surrounding contexts. As each year is discussed an additional associated topic is presented, with some of the highlighted subjects including the ever present ‘Cinema Horror Italiano- Giallo‘ and the ‘80s Italian Invasion’. Here, we are given a detailed depiction as to why Giallo cinema lingered throughout the decade and how the three maestros ‘Lucio Fulci, Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava’ ruled in power, with their graphically horrifying and pathbreaking filmmaking taking centre stage in their filmography.


Part II takes what worked well in its predecessor and accelerated it; the remarkable line-up consists of some of the biggest contributors within horror, including Tom Atkins, Linnea Quigley, Caroline Williams, John Carpenter, Tom Savini, Joe Dante, Robert Englund, and Cassandra Peterson. This comprehensive cast list had heaps of involvement within eighties horror, introducing a sense of richness to the production, with plenty of behind the scenes knowledge bringing new light to the classics.


Speaking of classics, Part II divulges into a medley of films ranging from slashers to harrowing revenge tales. Rather than solely discussing the big mainstream hits of the decade, we are shown the somewhat forgotten hits such as Alone in the Dark (Jack Sholder, 1982), April Fool’s Day (Fred Walton, 1986), Mother’s Day (Charles Kaufman, 1980), Vamp (Richard Wenk, 1986), and House (Steve Miner, 1985). To accompany each film is an enlightening insight into the cultural context that most of these films were released in.

One particular area that is deeply discussed in relation to Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers (Fred Olen Ray, 1988) is the video nasties. As home video soared so did the number of so-called ‘exploitative’ horror films on the market. Unfortunately, due to a mass moral panic over the British public’s wellbeing, 72 films were banned in the UK over fears of them corrupting children’s minds. Part II divulges into this important era for horror through discussing both the absurdity of the nasties and which films were the most prominent.


The film is clearly a demonstration of dedication to a beloved genre. From the outset a sense of togetherness is displayed, that depicts horror as a one-of-a-kind genre that manifests devoted fan bases and remarkable characters that linger within pop culture. Whether or not you are a diehard eighties fan or a newcomer, In Search of Darkness: Part II has something for everyone.

If you want to be part of the ISOD community check out their YouTube, where they are delivering regular interviews with 80’s legends for their new CLIPSHOW.

We interviewed creator Robin Block and director David A. Weiner back in October 2020, in an exclusive interview for the festival where we played Part I to celebrate the release of Part II.

Check it out below:

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Reviews

80’s horror doc – In Search of Darkness (2019) – Review

In Search of Darkness

I was absolutely gutted to have missed the first limited release of In Search of Darkness – 80’s horror doc when they released it to Blu-ray last year. Long story short; the week I intended on making my purchase, I fell ill with appendicitis and ended up out of action for 4 weeks!

Thankfully when a second run was announced this year, I had another opportunity to own this 4 hour nostalgia trip and encyclopedic look into 80’s Horror.

”If one horror film hits, everyone says, ‘Let’s go make a horror film.’ It’s the genre that never dies.” – George A. Romero

This comprehensive look into the golden era of Horror flicks, was made reality through a Kickstarter campaign and it really does feel like a treat for fans. David Weiner (former journalist and executive editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland from 2015 to 2016) directs an eclectic mix of interviews with filmmakers such as John Carpenter, special effects legend’s Greg Nicotero, and super fans like Slipknot’s Corey Taylor.

The doc kicks off by listing the all-star casts’ memorable flicks of the decade; The Shining, Pet Sematary, Halloween II-5, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Thing, Childs Play, Elvira, Xtro, Company of Wolves, Cujo, Jaws 3D, The Howling, The Hunger, Basket Case, Maniac, Lost Boys, Near Dark, Friday the 13th I & II, Evil Dead I & II, The return of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead, Poltergeist, American Werewolf in London, Monster Squad, The Fly, Hellraiser, The Changeling, Re-Animator, Sleepaway Camp, Pumkinhead – just scratching the surface of this epic decade of horror.

The doc then takes a walk chronologically from The Shining (1980) up to Friday The 13th Part VIII (1989) – It’s jammed packed full of anecdotes and amazing insights from how some of the bloodiest kills were made by the likes of Tom Savini to Joe Dante’s opinion on The Howling’s sequel.

In Search of Darkness left me yearning for those long gone video store years, every Friday night grabbing the goriest, scariest looking horror movie I could see in the bargain bin. The 4 hours 30 minutes runtime breezed by, and felt there could of easily of been hours more to dive into.

Excitingly David and the CreatorVC team clearly felt the same way as In Search of Darkness Part 2 is coming in October 2020 – Look out for an announcement next month for how we are celebrating its release at this years festival!

Our rating – 4.5/5

Written and Directed by – David A. Weiner

Produced by – Creator CV Studios

Starring – Cassandra Peterson, John Carpenter, Keith David, Heather Langenkamp, Joe Dante, Greg Nicotero and Barbara Crampton

In Search of Darkness is now avaliable to stream on Shudder

Digital copies are still available at Gumroad

Check out their latest projects at: https://www.creatorvc.com/