Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Better Late Then Never

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

On the surface, this movie would appear to deal with the psychological process called individuation, that is how to become a true self by embracing the so-called 'dark' side of human nature. Thus, we have the Darkling, a classic shadowy devilish creature desperately seeking the company (that is, recognition) of men, and the story revolves around the various ways in which this need is handled, more or less successfully. However, if we dig a little deeper, we find that what this movie is actually about is how you should relate to your car like you would to any other person: - in the opening scene, the main character (male car mechanic fallen from grace)is collecting bits and pieces from car wrecks with his daughter, when a car wreck nearly smashes the little girl. Lesson #1: Cars are persons embodied with immortal souls, and stealing from car wrecks is identical with grave robbery. The wicked have disturbed the dead and must be punished. - just after that, another character (Rubin) buys a car wreck intending to repair it and sell it as a once-lost-now-found famous race-car and is warned by the salesman. Lesson #2: Just like any other person, a car has a unique identity that cannot be altered nor replaced. In addition, there is the twist that Rubin actually sees a hidden quality in what most people would just think of as junk, but eventually that quality turns out to be a projection of Rubin's own personal greed for more profit. Lesson #3: Thou shalt never treat thy car as a means only, but always as an end in itself. - then we have the scene where the main character is introduced to Rubin and, more importantly, Rubin's car: The main character's assessment of the car's qualities is not just based on its outer appearance, but also by a thorough look inside the engine room. Lesson #4: A car is not just to be judged by its looks, it is what is inside that really counts. There is punishment in store for those who do not keep this lesson in mind, as we see in the scene where another man tries to sell Rubin a fake collector's car. This scene by the way also underlines the importance of lesson #3. There are numerous other examples in the movie of the 'car=person'-theme, and I am too tired now to bother citing all of them, but the point remains (and I guess this is what I'm really trying to say) that this movie is fun to watch if you have absolutely nothing else to do - or, if you're a car devotee.

Jeff (Aidan Gillen) is a simple man, mechanic as a hobby and working as a cook in a restaurant. His family is composed of the beautiful Marla (Nina Siemaszko) and their daughter Casey (Skye McCole Bartusiak). One day, Jeff meets the wealthy Rubin (F. Murray Abraham) and is invited to a party at his mansion. Jeff and Marla go to the place, and Jeff envies the quality of Rubin's life. In his way back home, Rubin lends a powerful car to Jeff, he suffers an accident and Marla dies. A couple of months later, Rubin invites Jeff to work as a mechanic for him with a large salary and shows to Jeff a weird acquisition he made in Hong Kong called 'The Darkling'. Jeff sees a fiend, living in a cage under the form of a baby, and needing human companion. Jeff accepts the invitation of Rubin, and from this moment on starts his journey to hell. Yesterday I saw this movie and although not being a masterpiece or the eighth wonder of the world, it is not so bad as mentioned in other reviews. Indeed something is missing in the story to be a great horror movie, but in the end, it is a good entertainment. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): 'Inferno dos Desejos' ('Hell of the Desires')

I checked this movie out based on a favorable review on this page. It is slow moving and the payoff is a four star dud..The only mystery here is how Oscar® winner F. Murray Abraham got involved with such a lousy script!

I started watching this movie late at night on USA Network not knowing what to expect and I was very pleasantly surprised. This movie was pretty scary for a TV movie - especially at night. Just the voice of the Darkling made me a little uncomfortable. Aiden Gillen was a very good actor and played a good man gone insane very well. If you want a pretty good scare, watch this movie. The twists are very good and so is the spooky ending.