Just finished The Dark Half (1993)—and wow, what a haunting, gothic slow burn. George A. Romero takes Stephen King’s doppelgänger nightmare and drowns it in autumn fog, psychological dread, and some truly grotesque practical effects. While this film only made about 10 million on its 15 million plus budget , and would very much be considered a "bomb" its , imo , a lot better than that would imply.
Timothy Hutton delivers a dual performance that’s both vulnerable and terrifying as a writer haunted by the violent pseudonym he tried to bury. Amy Madigan and Michael Rooker ground the madness with warmth and grit, while Julie Harris adds her signature eerie gravitas in a brief but unforgettable turn.
It’s not perfect—the pacing drags in the middle—but the atmosphere? The ideas? The sheer weirdness of sparrows swarming a suburban home? Chef’s kiss. A flawed gem that deserves a fresh look in our current King renaissance.
My full 3/5 star review—complete with analysis of its Jungian shadow self, Romero’s gothic vision, and why this film lingers like a half-remembered nightmare—and the original trailer for you to check out is live now. LINK IN SOURCE
Thoughts? Drop a 🩸 or follow if you live for slow-burn horror, literary terror, and October deep cuts.