This film was to me absolutely refreshing, mainly in the fact of its treatment of the occult. How often do we typically get the warn out trope of someone pulling out a Ouija board, or reading a few words from some "occult book" and poof there eye balls deep in demons, and danger. Thankfully! this movie DOES NOT do that.
This movie takes magic to its romantic roots, much like it was pulled out of a Eliphas Levi manuscript, and makes its grueling in its complexity. Much like real "high" magic is intended to "do" and that is change the very fabric of reality, The ritual that they are performing in this film, we hear spoken of several times, That of Abramlem, a ritual to speak to ones Guardian Angel, of course the film posits that they are making changes here and there.
Anyways, the movie is superbly paced, well acted, and well shot. What other movies whom have attempted similar plots have made boring and drawn out this movie draws you ever deeper in much like the ritual they are performing, and believe me when I say, It pays off in the end.
Now don't get me wrong, this movie is not to be to everyones liking, but, If you are a fan at all of deep horror films, you really need to give this one a watch, and this is a film you NEED to watch, and pay attention too.
Long story short, I love it, and it is certainly worth watching. I know I will be doing so again soon!

Best goddam horror movie I've seen in ages. I've wanted to see someone take on this subject of spell-casting in a serious way, maybe something about what Crowley tried to do when he bought that house and tried to do a year-long demonic invocation that he ultimately had to abandon due to sheer physical exhaustion. In the end I think that stuff is so much hooey, but it is presented here quite believably. I felt like the ending nailed it. Good actors, too.

I am not a believer in the supernatural, but I am an avid student of such. This is the most accurate movie I have ever seen as to what actual Grimoires like the Goetia or the Key of Solomon demand. Not the New Age hokum of "whatever feels right, it's your intent that matters" garbage. Actual old tome of magic demanded long, nearly impossible ceremonies. Never mind it all being superstition, the rituals were exacting and crazy. A Dark Song blends this to the fullest and combines it with a compelling story and realistic portrayals of a broken woman and a true believer in magical ritual. The story is well written and well acted. Bleak and sad, but the payoff is well worth it.

I love when a movie or book of fiction treats the subject of ritual magic with the level of seriousness and respect that this story y does. The characters Sophia Howard and Joseph Solomon, played by Steve Oram and Catherine Walker are realistic and down to earth. They each bring to the tale of a months long ritual their flaws, and their hopes. Each one is believable and compelling. The way they develop their relationship to each other and themselves, the way the plot progresses, grips the viewer and it flows very well.. the tale is a truly transformative one, and the surprise ending will stay with you for a long time. This is a movie that needs to be watched several times for a complete understanding. Because there are never easy solutions to any problem, anybody familiar with the subject matter will be happy. I am also hopeful that this movie will help answer many of the questions that non magical people may have about what to expect from magic. It's a cautionary tale too, but one of transformation.

Exquisite, I'm just floored at the sober, intelligent treatment the subject matter received in this film. The most original and astonishing film I have seen in many years. Many won't be able to appreciate this movie.

This was an excellent movie. I read the reviews first and was sold. I remember watching a documentary about Aleister Crowley a few years back. If I remember correctly, two of his significant others went insane. It was said that no one could remain in a lasting relationship with him. There was something dark, something repulsive about him. This movie captures the aura of that darkness quite impressively. The mystics always said that all is consciousness and this movie shows how entangled the mind can get within itself.

I loved the country backdrop. The feel of the huge, old house. The cold and eeriness of the scenes. The way the music was injected at the perfect scenes to jolt your emotions. I also loved the ending. This movie was put together with lots of attention to detail. It was an expression of genuine art. It accomplished its purpose. It moved me, as the viewer. It sucked me into a whole other realm and I very much enjoyed the trip. If you were ever interested in the occult. In facets that are just on the other side of the horizon of normal life, you might just love this movie as much as I did.

I like this movie so much, I bought it. Although I am but a novice when it comes to esoteric matters, this movie has features that I have read about in grimoire that blew me away being in a movie. Spoiler alert, no 3 eyed cloven hoof demons magically appearing from a ouija board. Fantastic metaphysical science blended with suspense and intelligence,

If the great reviews are from occultists, I feel sorry for them. However, to the movie... Not bad; the cinematography and suspense carried me through the expletive filled dialogue and horrendous metaphysical, ontological and hermeneutical interpretations presented of reality, faith, spirits and the Bible (yes, they quote the very Bible that defeats the reasoning behind the practices shown) through the occult doo doo that was used to get to the amazing ending. You cannot canonically quote the contradiction of your purpose, it's self-defeating, but perhaps that isn't the point of the flick anyway.
Yes, the ending was worth everything else I despised of the movie. The acting was excellent and the story kept you gripped... at some point I had to take the ritual as just a vehicle (because it made no sense) and it carried the point and ending marvelously. Don't put too much credence into the occult or cultic religion or religion for that matter... but understand the reality that we all share, the grounding that it forces upon us and the fragility of our nature in interpreting it and living life.

BTW, Baal and Christ and Horace cannot co-exist. It is ontologically impossible; there can only be one supreme being, otherwise he lacks something which therefore, necessarily, makes him NOT a supreme being. But they are prayed to sequentially in the movie. Again, without getting too caught up in the problems of bad philosophy, the movie delivered a poignant message at the end. There was a question of Protestant vs. Catholic early on... how about why either of them has validity (I'm not arguing that either do not)? Salt on the ground? Isn't the ground already salty? God nor His angels respond to rituals because the rituals have power; rituals are religion; religion is used for the benefit of the person, not God. And if you believe God exists, you don't need rituals or religion to reach Him... that is not to say the Bible or the life of Jesus isn't true or real... I'm just saying don't get caught in the muck.

Overall, if you can stomach the f-bombs from adults who have no real reason to cuss like sailors (until you catch a knife in your side), stick around until the end. It might be worth it.