SPOILER WARNING: The next article incorporates huge spoilers for Darkish Match. Please train warning for those who’ve but to look at it.
I really like horror motion pictures and I’m OBSESSED with all issues wrestling, so after I came upon concerning the new Shudder unique slasher, Darkish Match, I knew I needed to watch it. And I’m glad I did, as a result of this film has all the pieces somebody like me would need in a tacky, blood-soaked thriller a couple of small-time wrestling promotion placing on a present at some mysterious cult’s distant compound. It’s wild and has one of the crucial absurd endings I’ve seen on the 2025 film schedule.
However, that bonkers ending is simply one of many causes I can’t get sufficient of Lowell Dean’s newest directorial effort. For those who’re into wrestling, horror, or the Venn diagram the place the 2 worlds collide, this can be a nice wrestling film you don’t wish to miss.
Darkish Match Teases The Satan, However I Did not See Him Displaying Up To Combat A Wrestler
In Darkish Match, The Prophet (Chris Jericho) a former wrestler-turned-cult-leader who makes movies of deathmatch wrestling exhibits to promote them on the black market, invitations the SAW Wrestling roster (a small made-up promotion in Canada) for a one-off present for his followers. And, similar to the ultimate years of WCW, this film has so many swerves.
At one second you suppose that The Prophet, who has warmth with Joe Lean (Steven Ogg) from a feud years earlier, is definitely making sacrifices for the satan, the subsequent you suppose he’s stuffed with it and simply making a snuff movie, after which the magic occurs.
Within the last moments of the film, when Miss Behave (Ayisha Issa), Joe, and SAW promoter Spencer (Michael Eklund), the only survivors, are leaving the compound, they’re stopped by none apart from Lucifer. That’s proper, the goddamn satan himself seems out of nowhere and challenges them to a battle. Like, what? Like every nice wrestling story, although, this one ends simply as they begin to sq. off.
This Film Is Campy As All Hell, However That is What I Love About Wrestling And Horror
I don’t imply to sound like Stefon on Saturday Evening Dwell, however Darkish Match has all of it. Do you wish to see the babyface (good man) wrestlers get drugged or possessed and become senseless wrestling zombies? How a couple of wrestling match wherein the mat is an enormous fan? Would you want an inferno match that ends with somebody being lit ablaze? It’s all right here, and it’s nice!
Principally, Darkish Match takes probably the most ridiculous and campiest points {of professional} wrestling and horror to create a enjoyable, bloody, and thrilling love letter to each worlds. Whereas I do love nice A24 horror motion pictures and extra critical wrestling with nice employees, I can’t deny my love for foolish slashers and preposterous wrestling angles.
Regardless of The Goofiness, Darkish Match Does Get A Lot Proper About Wrestling
Although Lowell Dean did give the world a wild and raucous slasher with Darkish Match, the author and director appears to know a factor or two about skilled wrestling because the film will get rather a lot proper concerning the sport. The splitting up of the faces and heels for the journey to the compound was such a pleasant contact (faces and heels weren’t imagined to journey collectively again within the day due to kayfabe), and the in-ring motion by no means seems off.
Lots of the interpersonal relationships, particularly the one shared by in-ring rivals Kate the Nice (Sara Canning) and Miss Behave, really feel like they’re proper out of the ‘80s, and the presentation seems genuine.
We Want Extra Motion pictures The place Chris Jericho Performs A Crazed Cult Chief
Chris Jericho has carried out some despicable issues in wrestling through the years, however there’s no denying that the former WCW and WWF mainstay, who’s nonetheless combating week-in and week-out in AEW, is without doubt one of the all-time greats. He’s one of many wrestlers I’ve liked since my childhood, and it was so nice seeing him get loads of display time in Darkish Match.
The Prophet felt rather a lot like newer variations of Jericho’s wrestling persona, and made for an awesome villain. That is very true since you by no means actually know if he’s telling the reality about the entire satan factor or simply making it up. Principally, I want extra of this, like now!
Whereas I wouldn’t put Darkish Match on the checklist of finest horror motion pictures of all time, I’ve to confess this wrestling slasher was much more enjoyable than I anticipated.