The Dark: A Haunting Summer Drama
The summer season is often a time for light-hearted entertainment, with sports and outdoor activities taking center stage. But ITV's bold move to launch the dark and gritty drama series The Dark amidst the sunny British summer is a refreshing change. This adaptation of GR Halliday's novel, From The Shadows, is a chilling and unforgiving watch, with a muted color palette and a windswept Scottish Highland setting that drains the warmth from your screen.
The series follows DI Monica Kennedy, a stern and uncompromising detective played by Laura Donnelly. The Highlands, with its unforgiving beauty, provides the perfect backdrop for a mystery that opens with a deeply unsettling image: an older teenage boy's immaculate body, discovered among the heather, lying face down with his hands clasped together. This haunting scene lingers long after the opening episode, setting the tone for the rest of the series.
Kennedy and her partner, DC Connor Crawford, embark on a familiar procedural grind, interviewing suspects and piecing together the victim's life. However, Kennedy's character is far from universally admired. References to previous investigations and apparent failures hint at a troubled professional past, while a subplot involving a young woman's intentions towards Kennedy's daughter adds complexity to her personal life.
Structurally, The Dark follows a standard detective drama formula. Another teenage victim appears, killed in the same way, allowing Kennedy and Crawford to identify the killer's pattern: climbing through bedroom windows, communicating via burner phones, strangling victims, and leaving a polished black pebble inside each body. The victims are drugged into a locked-in state, fully conscious but unable to move or cry for help, a chilling premise reminiscent of Mark Billingham's Sleepyhead.
What sets The Dark apart from the procedural crowd are its horror sensibilities and Kennedy's intriguing character. She is prickly, difficult to like at first, but fiercely competent and very intriguing. After two episodes, the mystery is gripping, and it's Kennedy's secrets and the unfolding mystery that keep viewers engaged.
In my opinion, The Dark is a refreshing and bold addition to the summer TV lineup. It offers a unique blend of horror and detective drama, with a compelling central character. While it may not be for everyone, those who embrace its dark and unforgiving tone will find a gripping and thought-provoking watch. The series is a testament to the power of storytelling, proving that even in the midst of summer, there's a place for a haunting and compelling drama.
