‘The Unknowable: Darkland’ Review – Wickedly Creative And Remarkably Eerie

Synopsis: “The Unknowable: Darkland” explores the complex characters and supernatural forces behind the Darkland Amusement Park. The mysterious disappearance of a local teen, Tammy, reignites the obsession of private investigator Atticus Fairbanks. The detective’s search for answers unearths not only the truth of what happened to Tammy, but secrets about cult leader Dexter Venito, who built Darkland, and his wife Theodosia Birchwood, who went missing 25 years prior…

We tend to carry around the notion that the truth is stranger than fiction. In most cases, I’d agree; however, I think the minds of most horror fans would say otherwise. Plus, nowadays, truth and fiction seem to be interchangeable, but that’s a convo for another day. When you let your mind wander into the strange and unusual, the ideas are limitless. While the normies may assume the dark side of art is only gore and jump scares, in reality, there are a myriad of combinations and concepts that could make it hard for you to sleep at night that are outside the realm of familiarity.

‘Finding Tammy was his last chance at redemption.”

If you’re looking for something original that scratches a specific itch that you didn’t know needed to be scratched, look no further. Created by Zachary Donohue and directed by Kyle Cooper, The Unknowable: Darkland is a wickedly creative blend of storytelling and unnerving visuals that creates a remarkably eerie experience. From its haunting true-crime narration to its analog aesthetic and unholy marriage with unease, this cosmic horror series is a refreshing and highly entertaining detour from the norm. It lures you in with curiosity, traps you with intrigue, and then wows you with its trippy, disorienting mystique. Its fast pace keeps you on your toes while each cliffhanger feeds your need to come back for more.

Set in the late 70s, the 8-episode series wastes no time, immediately jumping into the deadly, cosmic mystery. Led by Atticus Fairbanks, a disgraced detective-turned-private investigator, a young lady named Tammy Gillis and her friends never returned home from a night of hanging out. While there is evidence of what happened to the friends, there is no trace of Tammy Gillis anywhere. Reminiscent of a past case he could never solve, Fairbanks realizes that there is one gigantic connection between then and now, all roads lead to the now-deserted Darkland Amusement Park and a man named Dexter Venito. Riddled with the remnants of its ominous Steamboat Willy-looking mascot, Pokey Possum, the desolate family destination is rife with a history of mysticism, cult activity, and supernatural happenings. Determined to regain his professional reputation, the PI must trust his instincts as he stumbles into a dark and dangerous past that will unknowingly affect the future of all living things. This is a story of power, betrayal, murder, atonement, destiny, manipulation, and interdimensional beings.

“In exchange, Pokey would help him reach the stars.”

What makes The Unknowable: Darkland unique is how it tells its story. There is essentially zero dialogue from anyone other than the narrator. Instead, it unfolds like pieced-together found footage that’s narrated like Forensic Files. Moreover, the atmosphere and tone are fascinatingly creepy, akin to that of The X-Files or The Twilight Zone. Furthermore, its visual presentation is what is truly unsettling. Weaving in disturbing archival footage with what was actually shot, it unearths feelings of doubt and unease as if you’re witnessing something illegal. The rush of uncertainty and curiosity makes each episode feel as if it could all come crashing down at any time. With no audible lines, the performances are fueled by emotion and belief in the narrative. Featuring brilliant writing, a chilling score, and a captivating story, this series will hook both horror and true crime fanatics. The series is easy to follow, unpredictable, and quite addictive. Its rewatchability is high.

Elite Episodes

The way the episodes perfectly intertwine makes it almost difficult to pick the best ones. Fortunately, I did anyway, as there are aspects that make certain episodes stand out. While for some it’s the horrors, for others, it’s the storytelling.

Episode 7: 10.21.78 – This chapter of the story delivers the much-anticipated backstory of a character that is often mentioned, but as the mystery unfolds, we know very little about. Additionally, it’s also the most grim and exciting episode.

Episode 3: Jackpot – Chapter three is when the story ramps up, and the dots begin to connect as more characters are thoroughly introduced.

Episode 6: The Family Birchwood – This is my favorite chapter of the series. It’s the episode that is the linchpin of the series. It is not only a deep dive into the most interesting figure in the mystery, but it also feels the most cinematic. This episode could be turned into its own spinoff.

Impact & Influence

Cast: Sean Burgos, Hannah Howzdy, Robert Briscoe Evans, Brandon Sean Pearson, Mike Rad, Chris Voss, Christine Evelyn Schlehuber, Robert Walters, Alanah Allen

This is one of the most original shows I’ve watched in some time. It immediately feels fresh and, with its modest budget, delivers a cool and creepy product. The way it is constructed is truly impressive. You can’t help but ponder how the team pulled it off in the manner they did. If you hunger for originality, support when you can.

The Unknowable: Darkland is now streaming on Screambox. Stay safe and stay woke.

Rated: TV-MA Runtime: 22m Creator: Zachary Donohue Director: Kyle Cooper Producers: Zachary Donohue, Kyle Cooper, Jone Ferro Executive Producer: Mark Mellor Score: Francis Roberts Cinematography: Reece Miller Editor: Kyle Cooper Production Designer: Fred Kinney Art Director: Todd Faux Wardrobe: Kiyomi Hara Makeup: Alicia Norberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P2f7lmOs6