Year: 1995
Runtime: 99 mins
Language: English
Director: Philip Ridley
When your deepest desire becomes your worst nightmare… Desire torments a former cultist taking refuge at the home of a scantily clad woman whose husband is away.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Passion of Darkly Noon (1995) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the mist‑shrouded Appalachian hills of North Carolina, a young man haunted by the strict doctrines of an ultraconservative cult wanders into an unfamiliar world. Darkly Noon carries the weight of a name derived from scripture, a constant reminder of a destiny that now feels more like a curse than a calling. Seeking refuge from the shattered remnants of his former life, he stumbles upon a modest rural home where the ordinary and the uncanny begin to intersect.
The house belongs to a solitary woman who lives alone while her husband is away. Callie offers him shelter, tending to his physical exhaustion with a quiet compassion that soon becomes the center of an unexpected emotional turmoil. Her old friend Jude, a coffin‑transporting laborer with a protective streak, assists in Darkly’s recovery, forging a tentative bond that hints at a future beyond the shadows of the past. The tension between Darkly’s ingrained beliefs and the growing, unsettling attraction to his caretaker creates a fragile equilibrium, as each day blurs the line between salvation and temptation.
Adding to the complexity is Clay, Callie’s mute boyfriend whose quiet craftsmanship of coffins mirrors the morbid legacy that looms over the household. His mother, Roxy, arrives with a fierce disapproval of the relationship, her accusations of witchcraft casting a bitter chill over the already tense atmosphere. Their presence deepens the sense that the home is a crossroads where personal histories, unspoken desires, and external judgments collide.
The film moves with a slow‑burning, atmospheric cadence, weaving rustic scenery with an undercurrent of surreal symbolism. The tone balances stark realism and haunting lyricism, inviting viewers to contemplate how far desire can stray from its intended path when it becomes entangled with the remnants of a nightmare. In this isolated corner of the world, every quiet interaction hints at larger forces at play, leaving the audience to wonder whether redemption or further darkness lies just beyond the next door.
Last Updated: November 25, 2025 at 15:14
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories where quiet tension suffocates characters in a claustrophobic atmosphere.If you appreciated the methodical, unsettling build-up of tension in The Passion of Darkly Noon, explore more movies like it. This thread gathers slow-paced, claustrophobic thrillers where psychological unease takes center stage, focusing on character descent over frantic action.
The narrative follows a linear but deeply internal descent, prioritizing character psychology over complex plot twists. The tension escalates subtly and relentlessly, often within a confined setting, as a protagonist's fragile mental state deteriorates under the weight of obsession, guilt, or fear.
These films are grouped by their shared commitment to a slow, atmospheric build-up that creates a palpable sense of dread. They share a common pacing that allows psychological tension to fester, resulting in a viewing experience defined by unease and anticipation rather than jump scares.
Tragic tales of characters destroyed by their own forbidden longings.For viewers fascinated by the destructive power of repressed desire in The Passion of Darkly Noon, this list features similar films about psychological unraveling. Discover more movies where characters are torn apart by the conflict between strict upbringing and overwhelming inner passions.
The narrative arc is a tragic downward spiral. A sheltered or traumatized protagonist encounters a catalyst that awakens forbidden desires, creating an unbearable internal conflict. Their attempts to reconcile or suppress these feelings lead to obsession, voyeurism, and ultimately, a violent or self-destructive climax.
These movies are united by their core theme of internal conflict born from repression. They depict a specific type of character journey: the destruction of an individual by the very forces they were taught to fear, resulting in stories with heavy emotional weight and dark, often ambiguous, conclusions.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Passion of Darkly Noon in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Passion of Darkly Noon is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Passion of Darkly Noon, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Passion of Darkly Noon with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Passion of Darkly Noon. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Passion of Darkly Noon: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Passion of Darkly Noon that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Passion of Darkly Noon (1995) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
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