There’s nothing like a missing person case to help somebody overcome their own personal trauma – and for Trish, a recent example provides the backdrop in Michael May‘s new psychological noir WHERE DARKNESS DWELLS.
Trish (Tara Perry) is good with words which for her speak louder than action. When the opportunity comes up to seek out what happened to hiker Stephanie (Kara Schaaf), Trish decides to investigate the locality where she was last seen in one of her YouTube videos. Her boss, Cassy (Katie Parker) doesn’t want her doing one for the show, merely to develop a throughline on a story that could be part of a ‘Top 10’ Special on the platform.
Being the inquisitive type leads Trish to a remote, isolated mountain mental institute called Wentworth, an establishment with a two-centuries old history where she meets Dr. Thomas (May), a place that is very resistant to outsiders, particularly journalists – and sacrosanct in its’ policy. Inevitably though, her goal is going to evolve into her worst nightmare….
After a promising first half, WHERE DARKNESS DWELLS doesn’t quite pull off the most satisfying ending in a film that is reminiscent of Jordan Peele‘s GET OUT at times, coupled with hints of THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY, THE BROOD and others. Ritualisms and past histories collide here, there and everywhere.
That said though, its’ attempt to analyse the psychological horror that inhabits many a haunted and traumatised soul does yield some dividends. It’s not a bad effort by any means and the performances by Perry and Parker do hold the film together as best it can.
As you can probably gather, the film does develop into a mind-game with both the audience and the protagonist, so the best option is to stick with it and watch it unfold au naturel.
WHERE DARKNESS DWELLS plays as part of the Los Angeles International Film Festival from 13-16 November 2025 at the Million Dollar Theater in Downtown LA.
Tickets and info can be found here: