Into the Dark Season 1 Episode 12 Pure

Into the Dark is an American horror anthology television series consisting of twelve episodes that premiered on October 5, 2018, on Hulu. Each episode is inspired by a holiday in the month in which it is released. The twelfth and final episode titled Pure aired on September 6, 2019.

Pure tells the story of a young woman named Shay, who is brought up in a strict religious household as a member of a small congregation in a remote part of the country. Her life is tightly controlled by her family, with no access to pop culture, internet, or even a cell phone. Her main task is to help her father with his work as a carpenter for the church and to be a dutiful daughter and community member.

During a visit to the lake with her family, Shay meets a group of teenagers who she discovers are outsiders and not members of her church. She is fascinated by their carefree attitude and the freedom they enjoy. She strikes up a secret friendship with them, leading to a series of events that shake up her beliefs and the lens through which she views the world.

As she spends more time with the teenagers, Shay starts to question the suffocating rules and rituals of her community, and the blind faith her family subscribes to. She tries to reconcile her love for her family with her newfound knowledge and the inner turmoil it brings. Meanwhile, her father becomes suspicious of her behavior and sets out to put an end to it.

The episode tackles themes of religious oppression, free will, and the price of conformity. It draws a parallel between the purity culture and the effects of indoctrination on young people's minds. It shows how fear, guilt, and shame can be wielded as weapons to break spirits and maintain control over individuals.

The acting in the episode is excellent, with Jahkara Smith giving a standout performance as Shay. She portrays the character's conflict and vulnerability with nuance and emotional depth. The supporting cast also shines, with Jim Klock and T.C. Carter delivering convincing performances as Shay's father and the pastor of the congregation, respectively.

The cinematography and production design play a pivotal role in creating the claustrophobic atmosphere and the contrast between the starkness of Shay's home environment and the vibrant colors of the teenagers' world. The lake scenes are particularly well-shot, highlighting the beauty and allure of nature and its power to awaken the senses.

The pacing of the episode is slow and deliberate, allowing the narrative to build up gradually, and giving the characters room to breathe and develop. The dialogue is organic and realistic, and the script manages to balance the drama with suspense and horror elements that come to a head in the third act.

Overall, Pure is a compelling and thought-provoking end to the first season of Into the Dark. It is a sobering reminder of the danger of blind faith and the importance of critical thinking and individuality. The episode leaves the viewer with a sense of unease and raises questions that linger long after the credits roll.