Dark Room Diaries is a 2019 horror/thriller movie directed by Justin Doescher, starring Sabree Anderson, Erin Nordseth, and Michael J. Patterson. The story follows three friends â Rose, Lily, and Violet â who decide to spend a weekend at an old secluded cabin in the woods. The trip seems like a perfect getaway, but things quickly take a terrifying turn when the trio discovers an old camera that reveals a dark secret about the cabin.
The movie opens with a gruesome scene, where a mysterious figure wearing a deer skull mask is seen killing a woman in a dark room. Cut to present day, we meet the three friends who are driving to the cabin, chatting about their plans for the weekend. Rose (Sabree Anderson) is a photographer who brought along her camera to capture the beautiful scenery, while Lily (Erin Nordseth) and Violet (Marylee Osborne) are looking forward to some fun and relaxation.
When they arrive at the cabin, they find it rundown and abandoned. The girls quickly realize that they have no cell phone reception and their car won't start, leaving them stranded. As they explore the cabin, they discover an old Polaroid camera hidden in a closet. After taking some pictures, the girls begin to notice strange occurrences happening around them â doors opening and closing on their own, whispers in the night, and eerie images on the photos.
Things get even more unsettling when they find a newspaper article about a family who was murdered in the same cabin years ago. Rose becomes increasingly obsessed with the camera, convinced that it holds the key to unlocking the mystery. As she delves deeper into the camera's dark history, the girls' fear and paranoia escalate.
One of the strengths of Dark Room Diaries is the chemistry between the three lead actresses. Anderson, Nordseth, and Osborne all give solid performances, and it's easy to believe their friendship and camaraderie. The movie also benefits from its atmospheric setting â the isolated cabin in the woods lends itself to a sense of dread and tension.
The film is shot in a visually striking style, with moody lighting and creative camera angles. The use of the Polaroid camera as a plot device is effective, as the audience is left wondering what secrets the photos will reveal. Additionally, the use of the deer skull mask and the mysterious figure who wears it adds an extra layer of fear to the proceedings.
At times, the pacing of the film can feel sluggish, and the plot is fairly predictable. However, the movie does pack in some suspenseful moments and a few genuine scares. There are also some unanswered questions and loose ends that may frustrate some viewers.
Overall, Dark Room Diaries is a solid indie horror movie that delivers some thrills and chills. While it's not groundbreaking or particularly original, it's still an entertaining and well-executed genre flick. Fans of classic horror films like Halloween or The Blair Witch Project may especially enjoy this movie.
Dark Room Diaries is a 2019 thriller with a runtime of 18 minutes.
