Mikes Film Talk

The 2024 Neo Noir Thriller Darkness of Man takes place in Koreatown. It involves Russian and Korean gangs and it has been despised by just about everyone. Amazingly, apart from dragging in some spots, the film is pretty darn good.

Darkness of Man the Story

Russell Hatch is a retired law enforcement officer. An informant he talks into grassing (snitching) on a gang pays the ultimate price. He promises to look after her son Jayden.

The boy is turning into a young man and Russell’s promise is harder to keep. Meanwhile, the Russian and Korean gangs are fighting for the same turf. The broken down, alcohol sodden Hatch has got his hands full.

The Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme is Russell Hatch.

Kristanna Loken is Claire.

Emerson Min is Jayden.

Peter Jae is Dae Hyun.

Spencer Breslin is Chris.

Ji Yong Lee is Mr Kim.

Sticky Fingaz is Yates.

Andrey Ivchenko is Lazar.

Shannen Doherty is Vivian.

Let’s Talk Darkness of Man

Directed and co-written by James Cullen Bressack, Darkness of Man is a bleak, downtrodden dark version of Los Angeles. *Bressack shares “writing credit” with Van Damme, they came up with the story. Bressack also co-rote the screenplay with Alethea Hnatko-Cho.*

Van Damme, aka “The Muscles from Brussels,” looks beat to pieces here. No lifts or tucks for this fellow. His face shows every single year lived. He has chosen, for this role at any rate, to age naturally. *Although, the action man actor is only two years younger than I am, he looks miles better. Haggard looking he may be but his overall shape is superb.*

Still, he leans into his physical detriments and it works. We believe wholeheartedly that this man has lived in the bottom of the bottle.

For years.

The fights, staged beautifully by Luke LaFontaine, show a hero slowed down. Russell’s responses are ragged and sometimes mistimed. Like a Timex wristwatch, however, he can take a licking and keep on ticking. The man is shot, and stabbed, but he still gets right back up

Maturity

Van Damme ‘s good guy is flawed. His eyes show pain and a certain weariness. This is quite possibly the best work the older action man has done in years.

Yet, with all this hard won maturity, Hatcher and his journey do not go over well. Rotten Tomatoes gives this a meagre 63% on the critic’s scale while audiences a scant 42%.

Yes the film is slowly paced. It took forever to completely wrap things up. However, the action was satisfactory and the tired growth of Van Damme’s character’s growth was worth the journey.

Kudos

Spencer Breslin, brother to Abigail and Ryan, comes close to stealing the show here. “The kid” is all grown up and his timing and delivery are brilliant. *Of course they should be, the guy has been acting since he was practically still in nappies. (Diapers.)*

The late Shannen Doherty, in her final film role, proves once again what a powerhouse she could be.

Shout outs to Emerson Min as Jayden and good ole Zack Ward. Ward, he of the squinted eyes, is always good value for money no matter the size of the role.

*Keep an eye peeled for Eric Roberts. Blink and you’ll miss him, but it is worth the search. Doing what he does best, stealing a cameo scene.*

The Verdict

I enjoyed the heck out of Van Damme’s exhausted drunken hero. Darkness of Man earns a solid 4 stars for nailing that Neo Noir nail squarely on the head. The film is streaming on Hulu right now. Head on over and check it out. Just remember, this Noir, and not meant to be overly realistic folks. It is meant to be atmospheric.

The Trailer