Episode 2: Robert Fuests’s And Soon the Darkness (1970)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 29%

Are you ready to revisit the eerie 1970's movie, "And Soon the Darkness"? Join us as we dissect this cinematic paradox, which has surprisingly garnered a high audience score despite its low rating on Rotten Tomatoes. We'll scrutinize everything from the characters' peculiar travel modes to their questionable wardrobe choices, and even the film's timeline. Plus, we'll also evaluate the film's tactic of deploying red herrings to steer viewers away from the outcome.

We'll dissect some of the film's most stirring scenes: Kathy's unusual underwear-in-the-woods moment, the tension-filled fight between Jane and Kathy, and of course, the heart-stopping scene where Jane discovers who the real killer is. Imagine the chill that ran down your spine when watching those voyeuristic shots! We'll also delve into the film's portrayal of Jane's lack of French comprehension, and how it contributes to the movie's eerie atmosphere.

Lastly, let's not forget about the scene where Paul stumbles upon an abandoned vehicle, and the mysterious farmer who is observing him. We'll discuss Paul's cryptic responses to Jane and how the film fell short in explaining character motives. And of course, we'll  ponder over the film's box office success despite its mixed reviews. So, sit back, buckle up, and get ready for a thrilling discussion about "And Soon the Darkness"!

Plot Summary:

Two young English women go on a cycling tour of the French countryside. When one of them goes missing, the other begins to search for her. But who can she trust? (taken from IMDb)

Watchability Scale

We gave the film a score of 1 on the Watchability Scale, but Mike convinced Chad to bring it up to a 2. It’s worth watching if things in the podcast piqued your interest, but otherwise, this is a film to avoid.

Links

IMDB page

Rotten Tomatoes page

Dennis Schwartz’s review

Cinefantastique’s Best of the Decade

The Film’s Reception