Patrick Rea is no stranger to Arrow Video FrightFest. In previous year’s he has screened camping nightmare Enclosure (also known as Arbor Demon), as well as werewolf revenge thriller I Am Lisa. Now comes They Wait in the Dark. Rea’s new movie follows the pattern of his other two by being completely unlike the film before.
Rea changes up the creature in the wood and werewolves for a haunting domestic abuse chiller. They Wait in the Dark poses questions such as what does our past mean for our future? Can cycles of abuse be broken? The film follows the journey of Amy (Sarah McGuire) and her adopted son Adrian (Patrick McGee). The pair are on the run from Amy’s abusive ex-girlfriend, Judith (Laurie Catherine Winkel). In need of sanctuary, Amy and Adrian take refuge in Amy’s family’s abandoned farmhouse. The house isn’t as safe as first appears. A supernatural force from Amy’s dark past rises up and begins haunting Adrian. With the vengeful Judith in pursuit, Amy and Adrian find themselves locked in a showdown between the threats both outside and in.
An intricate and intimate analysis of trauma and abuse, They Wait in the Dark is another fine film from Rea. In advance of the International Premiere of They Wait in the Dark at FrightFest, THN spoke with Patrick Rea to uncover more about his latest film. During the interview we spoke about bringing the idea to life, filming during a pandemic, the importance of changing tacts, and why They Wait in the Dark should be on FrightFester goers’ watch list.
They Wait in the Dark screens at Arrow Video FrightFest on Saturday 27th August at 1:15pm. Tickets for They Wait in the Dark can be purchased by heading to the FrightFest website here.
