Director: Maggie Levin
Cast : Britt Baron as Valentine, Anna Lore as Trezzure, Benedict Samuel as Royal, Anna Akana as Julie, Ally Maki as Allison, Sachin Bhatt as Eddie
First off, I’m an old ass GenX chick so initially I was pretty sure I definitely wasn’t the target audience for this particular episode. At first glance it is wrapped in superficial cuteness literally with sparkles, filters and I think I even saw a halo. Even though my elderly senses were confused as to why, I pushed through.
Into the Dark has returned for the fifth episode of the as previously stated better second season, with its Valentine’s Day episode, My Valentine.
A pop singer’s songs and artistic identity have been stolen by her ex-boyfriend/manager and shamelessly pasted onto his new girlfriend/protégé. Locked together in a small concert venue after hours, the three of them confront the emotional abuses of the past…until things turn violent.
Instead of flat out having the characters say the theme is Valentine’s Day, the episode as I mentioned is shot in the way where it almost appears as a giant online VD card, with the cutesy sparkles, glittery filters and all that stuff. There’s even bickering couple drama and some car sex. Thumbs up for that. However, because this is of course an episode of Into the Dark, it does just that – gets dark quickly.
My Valentine is an uncomfortable and necessary commentary about abusive relationships and their underlying toxic darkness. Director and writer Maggie Levin does an excellent job showing the many layers of being in and surviving an emotional and physical abusive relationship. She interweaves flashbacks with the current to show how Royal, the abuser, preys on these two young woman by dismantling their personalities and self esteem until he makes sure he is their key to salvation.
Hat tips to the actors in this episode, I think they are one of the stronger casts this season – especially Britt Baron. Barron’s final confrontation scene with Royal where she finds her power and her voice is great and well done. In sticking to the premise of the show, there is quite the body count. And, there is an unexpected final girl twist at the end that is well played.
In partnership with Blumhouse Television, Into The Dark is a horror event series from prolific, award-winning producer, Jason Blum’s independent TV studio. The series includes 12 super-sized episodes, with a new installment released each month inspired by a holiday and will feature Blumhouse’s signature genre/thriller spin on the story.
Hulu’s Into the Dark Episode 5 My Valentine , a tunnel of love ride for a bloody Valentine’s Day episode airs Friday, February 7, 2020 on Hulu.
Were early screeners directed not to mention Poppy/Mars Argo in any of their reviews? Genuinely curious. The writer is blocking anyone who mentions their names in connection. Even if it were unrelated, she could say so, but acknowledge the overlap. Oh well. I loved the colors of the movie, it reminded me of I’m Just F*cking With You, which is my favorite from Into the Dark. Hayes Macarthur’s Chester is one of the best antagonists I’ve ever seen.
No, none of this is mentioned on the PR that I saw. Personally, I had never heard of Poppy/Mars Argo (I’m old :p) until after I had done my review, someone showed me a Youtuber discussing the situation. As stated I like the episode, it was one of Into the Dark’s stronger ones.