‘Dark Hollow’ Review – A Creature In Coal Country That Leaves A Real Good Bite

There is something in the earth. A canary in the coal mine signals that something wicked is poking its head through the mines and tunnels. Dangerous working conditions and health hazards devastate an Appalachian community. Beyond the deteriorating environment, greed and avarice bubble to the surface, ready to consume all for the almighty dollar. At the center is a monster lurking in the darkness, seemingly preying on everything. Dark Hollow doesn’t ring hollow; it tells a riveting story of survival. And at the center of the earth is a worthwhile creature feature that is sure to conjure up nightmares. 

Appalachia is at the center of many stories, particularly those centered on working-class woes and struggles. Be it the center of opioid addiction or environmental catastrophes, many of these stories veer more into the actuality of day-to-day life. Along comes a film, and in this case a horror film, that captures all these sentiments and feelings, while also using a traditional monster story for great effect. At the core of the film is a woman trying to escape the encroaching blackness and chart a new course for herself and her family. While the monster is real in one sense, it also embodies the tremors and terrors facing those who call coal country home.

The portrait is unforgiving and harsh. The story captures the rampant sickness and the catastrophe that can occur on a coin toss. We enter the world through the grime and grit. Forgotten communities and rotting dreams are gobbled up by eminent domain and greed like a real monster. Here, the monster is twofold: a beast to be conquered in the story, but also a metaphor for what is happening in coal country.

Dark Hollow centers on a working-class family. KC (June Schreiner) and her husband Jesse (David Garelik) face a seemingly unstoppable threat that rises from the coal mines to wreak havoc on them and their community. The trouble first begins when Jesse goes missing and is feared dead after a partial mine collapse. KC refuses to believe her husband is gone and sets out to bring him home, while facing obstacles from the greedy coal company. But her troubles are not the only thing living in the depths of the mine. A visceral and ravenous creature emerges, and now KC must do what she can to protect her family and stop the monster.

First and foremost, KC is a badass. The film lives or dies by her performance, and she is a final girl we root for hard. For as much as this is a creature feature, we spend much of our time with her. She grounds this film with believability and world-weariness. Schreiner is sublime and evokes a Linda Hamilton-esque presence, while also operating in her own space as a dogged mother and wife fighting to protect her family. By a pump of the shotgun and a steely gaze, she holds court and is a true boss.  

“You already took our land. You took our home. Just let us go.” — KC. 

The monster in this film is more of an entity, with cryptic power that drives the story’s message home about the devastation of coal country. Dark Hollow keeps the monster under wraps, much like the shark in Jaws. Its presence comes through the music and cinematography, keeping us on the edge of our seats until the revelation. The added twist gives the story a dark wrinkle that is even more terrifying than a ravenous creature. 

As for the design, the monster itself is quite a visual (and at times disturbing) treat. Think Venom, but with a lot more bite and a terrifying scar. The creature’s look sells the whole story, because it is never tacky or half-measured. Much like the film itself, it shows a genuine interest in delivering something compelling and arresting.  

Dark Hollow is a creature feature and will certainly bring in the usual horror crowd for its grizzly effects. Yet the story is sharper than a run-of-the-mill scare-ride, offering a poignant, at times dark, look at harsh realities and a fracturing way of life. The story raises the stakes as it closes a window on the past, but offers a path forward towards survival even in the midst of smoky darkness.

Dark Hollow is currently playing in select theaters and is available on VOD courtesy of Brainstorm Media.  

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