The Long Dark Trail

2022

1 hr. 19 min.

Horror

List

Reviews

STAND BY ME meets MIDSOMMAR in an unnerving new folk horror tale from writer-directors Kevin Ignatius and Nick Psinakis. After two impoverished teenage brothers manage to escape their abusive father, they embark on a treacherous and haunted journey in the hope of finding their estranged mother who has joined a sadistic cult, deep in the woods of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

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Chris J

MOVIE REVIEW The Long Dark Trail – Genre: Horror Year Released: 2023 Runtime: 1h 19m Director(s): Kevin Ignatius, Nick Psinakis Writer(s): Kevin Ignatius, Nick Psinakis Cast: Carter O'Donnell, Brady O'Donnell, Mick Thyer, Paul "Doc" Ignatius, Trina Campbell, Nick Psinakis Where To Watch: Available for preorder here mvdshop.com, releasing February 21, 202 RAVING REVIEW: Venture into the unknown with THE LONG DARK TRAIL, a horror-tinged journey that takes you deep into the heart of the wilderness. A tale of two siblings as they embark on a treacherous journey through the forests of Northwestern Pennsylvania in search of a loved one who has disappeared and is believed to be with a questionable group. This independent feature film offers a potent blend of suspense and terror. The film's musical score is brilliant, and the breathtaking aerial shots of the forest are a true standout of the film; they give you a sense of scale when watching. For enthusiasts of independent horror, THE LONG DARK TRAIL can be a challenge but has some fundamental redeeming qualities. The Blu-Ray edition includes additional features, including a slide show, trailers, and more. At its core, THE LONG DARK TRAIL is more a drama than a horror. The pace is slow-burning until the boys eventually have a breakthrough, and then it's off to the races. However, they soon realize that their story has just begun. Despite some intriguing ideas, the film couldn't connect the pieces to get off the ground. The film relies heavily on the atmosphere and establishes a specific feeling while watching. Remote wilderness locations are another strength of the film, taking what THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT did and turning it up a notch. Forests have long been a popular setting for dark tales, and THE LONG DARK TRAIL is no exception. While this slow pace is typical in art-house horror films, it doesn't quite work here as the pacing seems to be off. As a whole, the film lacks the originality that could allow it to overcome other obstacles. For more reviews and my YouTube channel, please visit linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews. I'm always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/21/23

Full Review

brad p

Uneven Coming-of-Age Horror Drama Elevated by Its Artistry

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Kevin Ignatius

Director

Nick Psinakis

Director

Trina Campbell

Actor

Brady O'Donnell

Actor

Carter O'Donnell

Actor

Michael Thyer

Actor

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Phil Hoad

Guardian

Ignatius and Psinakis’s alert visuals and bruised mood help maintain a crisp mythic footprint.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 21, 2023

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Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

The movie’s surprising technical aspects eclipse a vague and undercooked tale of folk horror, childhood abandonment and formative trauma, but by focusing on its look and sound, this movie is more effective.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 21, 2023

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Adam Mock

Film Inquiry

I truly can’t recommend this film less. From the maddeningly slow pace, amateurish performances, and undercooked screenplay, The Long Dark Trail fails to do anything it set out to accomplish.

Mar 4, 2023

Full Review

Abbie Bernstein

Assignment X

Gorgeous scenery, no scares.

Rated: C

Feb 24, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

STAND BY ME meets MIDSOMMAR in an unnerving new folk horror tale from writer-directors Kevin Ignatius and Nick Psinakis. After two impoverished teenage brothers manage to escape their abusive father, they embark on a treacherous and haunted journey in the hope of finding their estranged mother who has joined a sadistic cult, deep in the woods of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Director: Kevin Ignatius, Nick Psinakis
Screenwriter: Kevin Ignatius, Nick Psinakis
Production Co: Four Eighteen Films
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2023

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