Into The Dark: Is the HULU Horror Anthology Worth Watching?

If you haven’t heard the name Into The Dark, it’s probably because the series has flown under the radar for a long time. The market for horror shows and movies isn’t particularly hot right now, and a monthly anthology series isn’t able to generate the buzz required.

The fact that some episodes of Into The Dark have been far better than others and each has its cult following often takes the attention away from the series title.

1. Quick Review

Into The Dark, with its vast array of actors and plot devices, ensures that there must be a couple of episodes that you will like. It is a treat for horror fanatics and even those trying to dip into psychological thrillers. It’s a show where the good episodes are high, and the bad ones are equally bad.

2. Info & Watch Links

3. Is It Worth Watching?

Into The Dark hasn’t gotten a lot of media attention, but it sets itself apart from other anthologies in three significant ways. The first is that episodes are released on a monthly basis and not weekly like other shows. Each episode is based around a holiday in that month with a release date closely coinciding with the holiday.

Into the Dark: The Body Trailer (Official) • A Hulu Original

The third reason is that each episode is longer than an hour and functions as a stand-alone feature film. It has a professional polish to it, and with this format, the show covers a variety of tropes in the horror genre.

I. Plot

Audience reviews for Into The Dark have varied from episode to episode. The pilot titled The Body was the story of a hitman going to dispose of a victim’s body on Halloween. He assumes that the people will think that the body is part of his costume, but he gets mobbed by some admirers.

The third episode Pooka, which aired on Christmas 2018, is the most successful franchise to date. The story revolves around an actor who gets a job to wear a costume for a mascot. Soon he begins to get overpowered by an evil spirit residing in the outfit that sends him on a furry-costumed killing spree.

Into the Dark: Pooka! Trailer (Official) • A Hulu Original

It has spawned online cults and traditions and even a sequel in the second season titled Pooka Lives!

School Spirit, All That We Destroy & Midnight Kiss have received a generally negative response from the audience.  The latest episode, titled The Occupant, focuses on an incompetent President leading the country towards chaos, drawing parallels from the current situation in the US.

II. Analysis

The Into The Dark episodes, which don’t work, feel like a mashup of generic horror tropes blitzed together to churn out an adventure. They feel rushed and unable to incite tension, suspense, or fear, which is a massive disappointment after a month-long wait. This is why when an episode fails; its ratings take a colossal dive.

The episodes that are fan favorites such as New Year, New You mix social commentary with a scary plot that often depicts dystopian societies or families influenced by the supernatural.

The episodes sometimes feel bloated and stretched out. They are produced and directed well and carry the mark of primary studio production. This doesn’t work in the show’s favor because the audience is willing to forgive a poorly made student film but not a HULU production.

The streaming platform allows the show to tell the weird and quirky stories that it dares to bring to the mainstream. Invariably, supporters and fans of even the most absurd plot and horrific themes flock to watch shows like Into The Dark.

4. Grade

5. Final Thoughts

Into The Dark feels like a show that is caught between genres. With such a massive spread of actors, directors, and plot devices, it is hard to limit the display to a particular style and recommend it to a type of viewer. Functioning like a horror anthology, the show has managed to mix social commentary with some genuinely exceptional and original plots and has produced fantastic episodes.

Into The Dark is perfect for a dedicated audience looking for something new and exciting. It is not a complete waste of time. Into The Dark does make you question whether the episodes need to be that long and will the feature-film format has a future after season two. Shorter events with faster pacing and better writing could’ve helped some of the episodes.