Pack as much horror movie cliché as possible into 88 minutes of film, make room by removing vast chunks from the plot, and what do you get? Darkness.

This film had everything you could possibly expect from a horror movie: dodgy plumbing, dodgy electricity, supernatural possession, a haunted house, a shady old man with a dark secret, a painting that comes to life, toys that come to life, and a child who knows the truth but no one will believe. What it doesn't have, however, is a sound story and continuous plot.

Regina, (Anna Pacquin, X-Men), and family have just moved into an eerie house in Spain after relocating from the US for no apparent reason. The fact that the house is so structurally sound, given that it has been unoccupied for 40 years is a wonder in itself. The house was the scene of the murder of six kidnapped children four decades ago, but I guess the estate agent never mentioned it.

Night after night, the lights flicker and dim, much to the confusion of Regina's father Mark, (Iain Glen, Resident Evil) and mother Mari (Lena Olin, Chocolat), and there is much strange goings-on in the room of younger brother Paul. Supernatural forces corrupt Mark, but his descent into violent behaviour is attributed to Huntington's disease, for which he is receiving treatment from a local expert, namely his own father (Giancarlo Giannini, Hannibal).

Regina decides that there is more going on than her bizarrely passive and unconcerned mother is willing to admit to, and sets out to find answers. With the aid of her friend Carlos, (Fele Martínez, Talk to Her), they quickly find the previously mentioned shady old man, who just happens to be the house's architect. Despite misgivings about helping them, he readily discloses that the house may have been an occult temple.

Our intrepid pair soon realise that a member of Regina's family is supposed to die during an up coming solar eclipse. Will they save the day, or will evil triumph? I won't divulge, suffice to say that that in an attempt to be too clever, the plot takes enough twists and turns to make even Michael Schumacher lose control.

Darkness is as bleak as the name suggests. The rare moments of suspense are far outweighed by ridiculous story, redundant dialogue, trite cliché and poor performance. It is difficult not to draw comparisons with The Amityville Horror as similarities stare you in the face. Unfortunately, it comes up short. All things considered, Darkness should never have seen the light of day.

Eamonn Donohoe

Darkness is released on 17th March 2005.