Horror Movie Review: Dark Match (2024)

The core idea behind Dark Match sounds great. A grindhouse-style horror film that sees a bunch of indie wrestlers perform at a private event. One run by a  cult, who just so happen to be trying to raise the devil. To do that, they need sacrifices, and they need that to happen in the ring.

Shame about the actual film, eh?

Written and directed by Lowell Dean, and starring Ayisha Issa, Steven Ogg, Sara Canning, and Chris Jericho, Dark Match is set in the late 80s and surrounds the independent wrestling promotion, SAW. Money is tight, the top talent are letting their personal issues affect their ring work, and, in the case of top heel Miss Behave, there’s a sense that life doesn’t get any better then this, and its pretty crap already.

So, when an offer comes in to perform at a private event for some decent cash, the promotor (a sleazy scumbag style character) takes the gig in an instant and promises the talent a cut of the gate. This is enough to convince all to jump in a van and drive to the middle of nowhere, where they are greeted like heroes.

Drink, drugs, sex, and rock n’ roll, it’s a fun night, that is until Joe Lean (the on/off boyfriend of Miss Behave) thinks he recognises their host, the head of the cult, Prophet. It bugs him all the way until it’s time for the show the next day, and the truth about their situation is revealed. Will they be able to get out alive and will Miss Behave be able to get her hands on the elusive championship she so craves?

I’ve added that last bit because, while it does exist, the angle the film takes is far more serious. In fact, the whole tone is super serious, which is quite absurd when you consider the subject matter. Regardless of your personal love or hate for professional wrestling, it’s a massive industry, even though we all know it’s predetermined entertainment. So, to see Dark Match take itself so seriously, is disappointing, especially when you consider the era. Hoping for GLOW with blood and guts? Think again, even though it is there, on the cusp.

Inevitably it’s easier to focus on what we don’t get rather than what we do, as what Dark Match gives us is lacklustre at best. Not only disappointing from an entertainment standpoint, but disappointing from a story and character standpoint too. The former starts off hot, but slowly cools over time, then eventually transforms into something far less interesting. The whole VHS thing and the motivations of Prophet seems pointless when the whole cult/devil thing was perfectly interesting. Instead of focusing on one, it mashes two together, which confuses things and makes for a far less interesting watch.

Whereas the latter, the characters, is disappointing because of a lack of commitment to certain aspects. Miss Behave and Joe Lean’s on/off relationship isn’t given the focus it needs for us to care. The racism issues the former suffers (she is black) are only hinted at and dropped as the film goes on, and her feud with Kate the Great ends halfway through the film. None of this is the fault of the main cast though, who really put the effort in.

It’s not an easy film to watch either, notably dark throughout and using dull lights to make everything glow. However, this is forgivable as it is going for a Grindhouse look, and with that, comes plenty of blood and guts. It doesn’t always look great, but there’s plenty of it.

Ultimately, Dark Match will be ed for what it promises, rather than what it delivers. Kind of like a great promo that leads to a lacklustre match. That’s wrestling for you.