The Dark Half finds legendary horror director George A. Romero behind the camera on his third adaptation of a Stephen King-penned story (Creepshow, Monkey Shines). This time it’s King’s take on Jekyll and Hyde. Timothy Hutton stars as an author with a killer alter ego that refuses to go gently into that good night.
Buy The Dark Half Blu-ray from MovieZyngThad Beaumont (Hutton) writes literary novels that don’t sell many books but when he assumes the nom de plume of George Stark, he can conjure up murderous mayhem with ease and success. All is well until a criminal-minded fan discovers the truth behind the highly popular, violently macho novels and threatens to expose Thad. At the advice of his wife (Amy Madigan), Thad decides to get ahead of the problem, outing himself as the man behind the bestsellers and putting his alter ego to rest, literally. Too bad George doesn’t like that idea and manages to manifest himself from the grave and into the real world. Now it’s a duel to stay alive between the clumsy, writing professor and his tough, Elvis-esque, dark-side twin with a taste for blood.
The Dark Half is a fun, supernatural, horror thriller with a solid story, good special effects, a small dash of humor, and lots of books in the background. Romero and the special-effects crew manage to bring another of King’s nightmare worlds to dark life through brilliant use of make up, special effects, a little gore, and animatronics. Hutton is surprisingly good acting against type and provides some dark humor while not taking himself too seriously in the devilish role of Thad’s other self. Madigan plays Thad’s sympathetic but feisty wife well, and Michael Rooker does a fine job in his role as the good guy sheriff and Thad’s old friend. Keep a look out for Julie Harris (The Haunting [1963]) in her small supporting role as a fellow professor and Royal Dano (Killer Clowns from Outer Space) as the cemetery caretaker.
Buy The Dark Half Blu-ray from AmazonThe Dark Half is a delightful 122 minutes of supernatural thrills. Romero’s unique eye lends itself wonderfully to King’s cautionary twisted tale of the duality of man, the battle with our dark side, and the struggle to not over indulge that evil twin that lurks in us all.
