From writer/director Lowell Dean of WolfCop and Another WolfCop comes Dark Match, an outrageously fun wrestling horror romp that channels Mortal Kombat. In this stylish throwback circa 1988, the art of professional wrestling has slowly begun to take the world by storm. An indie crew gets the offer of a lifetime, unknowingly becoming embroiled in a sinister plot that will challenge their entire roster. A24’s The Iron Claw this is not, but nor is it trying to be. Instead, Dean’s gorefest opts for depicting the grimy, raw underbelly of brawling, with tongue firmly in cheek.
At S.A.W. Wrestling (clearly a play on RAW), showmanship reigns supreme as they showcase their finest talent. From handsome hero Kid Humble, to “silent but deadly” Enigma Jones, to Kate the Great (Sara Canning), and newbie Miss Behave (Ayisha Issa), they have quite the motley crew. When Rusty (Jonathan Cherry), the head manager of S.A.W., gets a mysterious call offering to pay $50,000 to book them for a “Dark Match” event, they immediately head out on the road in the hopes of raking in the cash.
The red flags stand out blatantly from when they arrive, right in the midst of an outrageous, nudity-filled party. Between being drugged, branded, racially profiled, and seduced, the trouble for S.A.W. is just beginning. They meet the generous benefactor of the massive celebration called Lupercalia: The Prophet (WWE champion Chris Jericho). Only Miss Behave, through potential premonitions, seems to realize something feels off about their scenario just as the first match is set to begin.
Dark Match has been split up into four different rounds, each with two competitors that must fight to the death. Unlike real professional wrestling, here that translates to actually murdering one another. This is where the Mortal Kombat of it all comes in—the impressive stunt work, gory practical effects, and distinct characters make every round endlessly entertaining. Dean’s directorial style flirts with Rob Zombie aesthetics, reveling in bloodthirsty ultra-violence and trashy dialogue.
Not everything works. Jericho appears only sparingly, and the fast-paced concept leaves minimal room in the runtime for character development. Despite promising a gritty realism, all shreds of truth have been completely abandoned not long into the film. Still, Dark Match remains a crowd pleaser at its goopy center. Ayisha Issa’s performance as Miss Behave runs circles around others, cementing her place in the annals of horror history. Wrestling fans will have plenty to cheer for with this deliciously evil slice of fun.
Hop into the ring with Dark Match, which screened at 2024’s Fantasia International Film Festival.
One thought on “Fantasia 2024: Dark Match”