In the dark corners of the internet, where anonymity breeds depravity, DarkGame, directed by Howard J. Ford and stars Ed Westwick as Detective Ben Jacobs, tells a chilling tale of a sadistic online game show that thrives on human suffering. The film plunges viewers into a race against time to dismantle a twisted dark web show where captives fight for survival while a masked host, The Presenter (Andrew P. Stephen), revels in their torment.
Westwick anchors the film as Ben, a Portland detective haunted by a tragic past—his mother and sister were abducted and murdered when he was a teen, steering him to a career in law enforcement. Westwick’s ability to convey both grit and grief makes Jacobs a compelling figure, even when the narrative feels predictable. The film’s concept—a deadly game show broadcast on the dark web—taps into contemporary fears about technology’s underbelly.
The Presenter, a flamboyant psychopath, orchestrates brutal contests like Russian roulette, with viewers betting on outcomes. Andrew P. Stephen’s performance is suitably unhinged, but the character lacks the menacing charisma of iconic villains like Jigsaw from Saw. While the film captures the dark web’s unsettling anonymity, its low budget sometimes undercuts the horror, with special effects that feel restrained and action sequences that lack polish.
DarkGame signals toward commentary on voyeurism and the commodification of violence in the digital age, but it doesn’t dig deep enough to resonate. Unlike Se7en or Untraceable, which it echoes, the film prioritizes plot over psychological complexity, leaving the motivations of The Presenter and his audience underexplored.
DarkGame is a serviceable thriller that delivers tension and a standout lead performance but struggles to escape the shadow of its influences. For fans of Westwick or gritty crime dramas, it’s a worthwhile watch.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
