We Summon the Darkness

We Summon the Darkness

Year: 2020

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Director: Marc Meyers

Echo Score: 67
ThrillerHorrorComedyMusic

Alexis and her friends embark on a road trip fueled by a shared love of heavy metal. A disturbing news story about a series of ritualistic killings captures their attention, leading them to a night of concerts and partying. Their revelry takes a dark turn when they meet three mysterious strangers at the secluded estate of Alexis's father. What begins as an encounter quickly escalates into a terrifying ordeal as the group confronts a descent into supernatural horror and the blurring lines between reality and nightmare.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – We Summon the Darkness (2020)

Explore the full timeline and setting of We Summon the Darkness (2020). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Summer of 1988

The summer of 1988 marks a notable era in American pop culture, characterized by the rise of heavy metal music and an increasingly youthful, rebellious spirit. It was a time when the lines between fun, party, and danger were often blurred, especially among the youth, paving the way for the events of this ominous narrative.

Location

Indiana, Los Angeles

Indiana serves as a vibrant backdrop to this chilling tale, known for its rich culture and music scene, particularly during the summer of 1988 when heavy metal concerts draw crowds. The journey to Los Angeles, a city renowned for its entertainment industry, contrasts with the dark turn the story takes, illustrating the juxtaposition between carefree adventure and impending horror.

🌆 Location 🎸 Concert

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:28

Main Characters – We Summon the Darkness (2020)

Meet the key characters of We Summon the Darkness (2020), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alexis Butler (Alexandra Daddario)

Alexis is portrayed as a conflicted character torn between her extremist beliefs and her friendships. Her descent into violence and betrayal reveals her dark side, driven by the cult's toxic influence and her personal struggles. As the story unfolds, Alexis evolves from a seemingly carefree friend to a menacing figure, ultimately facing the consequences of her actions.

👩‍🎤 Complex ⚔️ Antagonist

Beverly (Amy Forsyth)

Beverly is depicted as the moral center of the trio, navigating the chaos around her with an inner conflict. She oscillates between loyalty to her friends and her growing awareness of the horror unfolding. Her character arc emphasizes the struggle between camaraderie and ethical boundaries, pushing her to confront difficult choices amid the madness.

⚖️ Morality 🚶‍♀️ Survivor

Val (Maddie Hasson)

Val stands out as the thrill-seeker, whose impulsive nature often escalates the tension of the night. Her reckless actions and desire for excitement put her and her friends in jeopardy, showcasing how easily fun can spiral into violence. Ultimately, Val's character embodies the dangers of indulgence and the consequences of unchecked impulses.

🎉 Reckless 🔥 Fiery

John Henry Butler (Johnny Knoxville)

As a pastor and leader of the Daughters of the Dawn, John Henry embodies a tyrannical authority cloaked in religious fervor. His character presents a twisted perception of faith, using it to justify his violent actions while manipulating those around him. The threat he poses is palpable, serving as a catalyst for chaos and horror throughout the narrative.

⛪ Villain 🔥 Fanatic

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:28

Major Themes – We Summon the Darkness (2020)

Explore the central themes of We Summon the Darkness (2020), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔪 Violence

Violence permeates the narrative as characters grapple with moral dilemmas that escalate into brutal confrontations. The film explores the consequences of extreme beliefs and the chaotic dynamics among friends, illustrating how easily a night of fun can turn deadly. Ultimately, it reflects on the dark sides of human nature and the choices that lead to irreversible consequences.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal plays a crucial role, especially amid the relationships among the central characters. As alliances shift and trust erodes, the group's bond is tested, leading to life-threatening encounters. The theme encapsulates the idea that friendships can be fragile, particularly when ambition and survival instinct come into conflict.

⛪ Religious Extremism

The presence of the Daughters of the Dawn highlights the theme of religious extremism, showcasing how dangerous beliefs can lead to manipulation and violence. Alexis's ties to this group amplify the stakes, making the repercussions of fanaticism evident as it corrupts her relationships and sets the stage for tragic outcomes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:28

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Movies with rural terror traps like We Summon the Darkness

Innocent gatherings turn into brutal survival fights in isolated locations.If you liked the sudden betrayal and violent siege in We Summon the Darkness, you'll find similar thrills here. These movies feature groups of friends or strangers whose party or retreat turns deadly when their hosts reveal sinister intentions, leading to intense, fast-paced survival stories in secluded locations.

claustrophobictreacherousviolentbrutalsuspensefulchaoticanxious

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a group arriving at an isolated property for a party or getaway. A seemingly friendly or eccentric host slowly unveils a deadly agenda, forcing the protagonists to fight for their lives using their wits and whatever is at hand. The narrative is a contained, high-stakes cat-and-mouse game.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared structure of a 'fun turned fatal' scenario, the oppressive atmosphere of a remote setting, and the visceral tension of a close-quarters fight against a prepared and fanatical antagonist. They deliver a specific kind of chaotic, brutal horror.

Dark comedies about cults and survival like We Summon the Darkness

Stories that mix violent fanaticism with bleak, ironic humor.For viewers who enjoyed the mix of heavy metal culture, religious fanaticism, and dark humor in We Summon the Darkness. This collection highlights movies where brutal survival scenarios against deranged antagonists are punctuated by ironic, bleak comedy, creating a uniquely twisted viewing experience.

violentsuspensefulsatiricalbrutalanxioustreacherousdisturbing

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves ordinary people confronting a group of zealots or killers whose beliefs are both terrifying and absurd. The comedy arises from the sheer insanity of the situation, the irony of the villains' hypocrisy, and the characters' desperate, sometimes clumsy, attempts to survive. The journey is emotionally heavy but leavened by grim laughs.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific tonal blend: they are genuinely intense and violent, yet they find humor in the darkness. The connection is the juxtaposition of heavy themes like cult mentality and betrayal with a satirical or darkly comic edge that makes the horror more biting and memorable.

Unlock the Full Story of We Summon the Darkness

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We Summon the Darkness Summary

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We Summon the Darkness Summary

We Summon the Darkness Timeline

Track the full timeline of We Summon the Darkness with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

We Summon the Darkness Timeline

We Summon the Darkness Spoiler-Free Summary

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We Summon the Darkness Spoiler-Free Summary

More About We Summon the Darkness

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about We Summon the Darkness: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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