Watch Dark Harvest

Dark Harvest is a 2016 horror film directed and written by James Hutson, who also stars in the movie. The film follows the story of Jack, a struggling farmer, who resorted to growing cannabis to make ends meet. Jack faces a severe financial crisis after he loses his entire crop before the yearly harvest. Desperate for a solution, Jack decides to steal a genetically modified plant from a nearby pharmaceutical company. The premise of the movie is quite exciting- mixing farming with horror, the movie sets itself up for a unique spin on a well-trodden genre. However, as the film proceeds, the story doesn't quite deliver on its promise. Lack of consistent pacing, atmospherics, and overbearing musical score work against the film, rendering it more tedious than terrifying. The film features several veteran actors like A.C Peterson and Cheech Marin, who deliver solid and measured performances, elevating the film beyond its limited budget. James Hutson also delivers on his role as Jack, portraying the character with sincerity and depth. The supporting cast is competent in their roles but is unfortunately let down by the story's shortcomings. The film's lighting and cinematography add to its macabre undertones. The scenes focused on the cannabis plants glow with a vibrancy that speaks to its potency and otherworldliness. However, the elements of suspense and terror that should follow the visual eeriness are a miss. The film's soundtrack, which initially builds an atmosphere of suspense, soon becomes intrusive and annoying, detracting from the already underwhelming narrative. Despite having a unique premise, Dark Harvest ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying horror experience. The plot is underdeveloped, with gaping plot holes and random scenes thrown in for shock value. Characters are also half-baked, with lazy stereotypes masquerading as nuanced roles. The ending, which is supposed to be the culmination of the story, is anti-climactic and confusing, leaving the viewer with more questions than answers. In conclusion, Dark Harvest is a film with an excellent concept that could have been executed better. Unfortunately, the plot is undercooked, and the execution is underwhelming, leaving viewers with no palpable fear or dread. While it does boast solid performances, the film's shortcomings are too significant to overlook. It may be worth a watch for fans of horror films as an example of a missed opportunity to deliver a unique take on the genre.