The Dark on AllMovie

This well-crafted Canadian monster movie pits a rag-tag crew of cops, gravediggers, and the requisite scientist against a giant subterranean rodent that tunnels beneath graveyards and lives off the interred bodies. Scientist Dr. Henderson (Stephen McHattie) wants to analyze the beast's body chemistry, which he believes has healing properties, but he continually butts heads with a vengeful, violent cop (Brion James) whose partner was swallowed up by the creature. Henderson enlists the aid of a waitress (Cynthia Belliveau), a pair of gravediggers, and a pretty sheriff's deputy (Neve Campbell) in hunting the mega-rodent, but his plans turn awry thanks to the murderous meddling of the cop, who proves to be far more monstrous than the monster. Director Craig Pryce keeps the monster shrouded in darkness for much of the film, and its climactic appearance is not disappointing. Excellent performances, a tight script, and good use of the claustrophobic sets make this effective chiller worth seeking out.