Everything You Need to Know About They Wait in the Dark (2022)
Psychological chills that indie horror fans appreciate, They Wait in the Dark captures it perfectly.
This 2022 horror-thriller, directed by Patrick Rea, expertly stitches together the personal and the paranormal into a dark, intimate tale of abuse, trauma, and the supernatural.
If you appreciate emotional slow-burn horror films then this film is definitely for you.
In this article I will walk you through the story, themes, production pieces, cast, and so much more that makes They Wait in the Dark a phenomenal indie horror film.
A Horror-Thriller with Psychological and Supernatural Terror
Plot Summary
The film revolves around Amy (Sarah McGuire) and her son Adrian (Patrick McGee) as they try to escape Amy’s abusive ex-girlfriend, Judith (Laurie Catherine Winkel).
In frantic need of safety, Amy takes Adrian to an old decrepit farmhouse from her childhood in hopes it can provide some shelter. However, once there, Amy starts experiencing eerie supernatural events.
As shadowy figures lurk in the darkness and more and more unexplainable events occur, Amy comes to the gradual realization that she is not only running away from Judith, but is also being tormented by something far more sinister from her past.
Who—or what—lies in wait beyond the veil of darkness?
The film builds suspense with a range of jarring twist, leaving the audience to speculate until the final reveal.
Why It’s Unique: A Fusion of Deep Emotion and Horror
Unlike conventional ghost and home-invasion thrillers, They Wait in the Dark deals with the repercussions of real-life trauma and how they manifest in supernatural ways.
Key Themes in the Film:
🩸 Surviving Domestic Abuse: The film features Amy as a survivor still carrying the emotional and physical shackles of her abusive past.
👻 Trauma Ghost: Rather than tell a simple story about a ghost, the film poses the question: is Amy haunted by a ghost, or burdened by the consequences of her past actions?
🏚 The Secret Never Ending House: The abandoned farmhouse serves not only as an environment, but as a character essential to Amy’s terrifying history.
💔 Mother-Cub: Amy’s affection towards Adrian is crucial to the story, but as danger closes in, she has to face the reality she hoped to escape.
The film intertwines horror with tangible issues of the world, creating an emotionally charged yet deeply disturbing experience.
Cast and Characters
🎭 Sarah McGuire as Amy – A mother on the run with her son, trying to protect him from human and supernatural dangers.
🧒 Patrick McGee as Adrian – Amy’s son who is young and innocent, but very aware of the dire situation surrounding him.
🔪 Laurie Catherine Winkel as Judith – Amy’s ex-girlfriend who is fixated, violent, and obsessive and will stop at nothing to find them.
👻 Paige Maria as The Ghostly Presence – An angry spirit with malicious intent who is connected to Amy’s history.
All of the actors in the film embody their characters remarkably, which adds to the emotional impact as well as the horror aspect of the film.
Production and Film Style
🎬 Director: Patrick Rea
🏡 Filming Location: Kansas, USA
💰 Budget: Indie production with low funds, but high quality and effort put into the film.
📷 Cinematography: The use of dark and moody colors helps to increase the amount of suspense in the film.
Rea is known for his horror movies that are superficially outlandish, yet contain psychological undertones, and They Wait in the Dark fits in perfectly with that theme.
The film employs gradual escalations of tension through clever use of lighting, eerie sound design, the use of disturbing camera angles, all leading toward an unforgettable climax.
What Critiques and Audiences Are Saying
🔵 Critics’ Praise:
✔ 94% on Rotten Tomatoes – Critics have pointed out the suspense throughout the film and the performances of the cast members set against the eerie setting of the film.
✔ “Captivating, deeply disturbing thriller that stays with you.” – IndieHorrorReviews
✔ “A well-constructed mix of emotion-full horror and supernatural dread.” – BloodyDisgusting
🔴 Audience Reactions:
Some viewers enjoyed the gradual build of suspense, while others thought it dragged on for too long.
The debate on the twist ending is quite split. Some find it extremely clever while other think it makes no sense.
All in all, indie horror fans who value psychological storytelling and suspenseful narratives tend to enjoy They Wait In The Dark.
Where Can You Watch It?
📌 Theatrical & Festival Screenings: The film was showcased at horror film festivals prior to its official release.
📌 Streaming Availability:
The film can now be found on Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Visit JustWatch for more information.
📌 Watch the Trailer:
🎬 THEY WAIT IN THE DARK Official Trailer
Final Thoughts: Should You Watch They Wait in The Dark?
⭐ YES, if you like:
✔ Heartfelt slow-burn horror stories
✔ Undertones of psychological and supernatural horror
✔ The Babadook, Hereditary, or The Night House
⚠ Maybe not, if you prefer:
❌ Verbally descriptive, fast-paced horror
❌ Straightforward ghost stories
If you enjoy spine-chilling and thought provoking narratives, then They Wait in The Dark is a must see.