The Horror Show
Down a Dark Hall
by Rodrigo Cortes
Based on the book of the same name, by Lois Duncan, Down a Dark Hall is what I like to call wasted potential. Duncan also penned the books that Hotel for Dogs and I know What You Did Last Summer were based on. I didn't even realize they had been adaptations. I digress, this movie has a great premise and some really talented actors, it just feels like it lacks focus and was rushed.
The story starts out as a fish out of water tale with young Kit, our delinquent protagonist. She has been entered into the mysterious Blackwood Boarding School. It's run by Madame Duret, a stern yet beguiling headmistress. Kit is not happy to exist in this sprawling Gothic estate. Kit is a snarky teen and a brat. She is not alone at Blackwood. Kit is one of five students attending. Of course, these are all troubled teens. Blackwood has a staff of 5, four instructors and the hulking Russian house maid. The girls are taught four subjects: art, mathematics, literature, and music. It soon becomes apparent that each of the subjects latches on to four of the girls. Almost overnight, the four become experts in their chosen subjects. It's all they can think about, driving some to the point of obsession. Kit is the only one who starts to question the methods her new school is using. She discovers a dark power controlling the girls.
Like I said, I think this could have had better execution. The story is there. It's a haunting tale of what it's like to leave a legacy. You have star power with Uma Thurman as Madame Duret and Anna Sophia Robb as Kit. I can't say it's a bad movie, it just could have been a better one.
Sometimes I hate when movies have a great source material and they fail to utilize it properly. In the end, Down a Dark Hall could have been something interesting, but “could have been” isn't quite enough to watch this a second time. If you are interested in watching it for yourself it's available on Hulu.
Robin Thompson, HMS
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