DarkGame features real talent and shows promise from director Howard J. Ford, known for his work in horror and thriller films like The Dead and Never Let Go, who handles the premise  with confidence and skill- yet the film never fully reaches its full potential.

A determined detective is in a race against time to stop a twisted game show on the dark web where captives are forced to compete for their lives.

The lead character, Ben, played by Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick, is extremely bland, and like the storyline itself, feels uninspired. Westwick, known for his charismatic performance as Chuck Bass, attempts to bring something to the role but struggles with a script that offers little depth or complexity. His portrayal lacks the intensity or emotional range needed to elevate the character beyond the flat, one-dimensional detective that we see in many films of this genre.

Where the film excels is the dark, twisted online game show that becomes the centre of the plot. Whilst unrealistic and over-the-top, it's engaging and watchable enough and leans into the ridiculousness of itself. The film feels self-aware in this element, however the rest of the film lacks the depth to continue this almost parodic tone. Outside of the game show scenes, the film takes itself extremely seriously, and the contrast in tone makes the rest of the story feel dull and uninspired in comparison. The colouring and lighting is dull and overly dark, in a lazy attempt that feels unintentional and ill-equipped.

There are promising supporting performances from Lola Wayne as Cathy Burnett, Ben's co-detective, and Andrew Stephen, who plays the presenter of Russian Roulette—a game show with a name about as original as the plot itself. While Wayne's character is just as one-dimensional as Westwick's, she plays a consistent and grounded role in the story. Wayne's performance brings some much-needed energy and focus, even though her character isn't given much room for complexity. She manages to inject a subtle intensity into her scenes, which makes her presence significant despite limitations. Andrew Stephen brings a certain dark charisma to his role, whilst sometimes feeling overzealous. His performance still stands out through his embracement of the absurdity of his character, adding an entertaining, sinister flair that complements the game show itself. He is one memorable element of the film, and his twisted, gleeful portrayal is one of the few elements that effectively leans into the film's potential.

Unfortunately, whilst these supporting performances offer some bright spots, they aren't enough to elevate the film beyond its formulaic plot and bland lead. The talent is there but it feels underutilized in a story that never quite knows how to balance it's elements. Give it a go if you enjoy horror and crime suspense, however there are more confident and fully-realised versions of the film elsewhere.

DarkGame will be available on Digital Download from 21st October

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