Written by John Edward Betancourt Chris Jericho as Prophet in Lowell Dean’s DARK MATCH. (Photo Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release.)
If there is one unfortunate truth that accompanies the pursuit of our dreams, it would have to be that said pursuit… is not always a pleasant journey. Because sometimes, it takes far longer than we expected to finally hit it big and that can be a tough time as we patiently wait for the big green light to tell us we’ve made it. Not to mention, it is a tough path filled with failures untold and we hear the word ‘no’ more often than we care to. But something about this, calls to us, and drives us forward since we know it will give us a peace we’ve never known before, so we chase after it with gusto, and that can be problematic for some.
Because this journey does bring people to their knees and inspires desperation. Which can push them to take a paycheck in that field that they regret because the end result did not align with their morals or their dreams in the right ways. Or they tie themselves to someone enigmatic, that is eager to use them and abuse them in the hopes of pushing their own agenda forward. Or… worst case scenario, something awful happens in the pursuit. An act that creates incredible emotional devastation and prompts one to quit and live with regret. All because the journey can be so rough and tumble, and well, the dark side of the pursuit of our dreams is top of mind today, simply because it is explored in a unique manner in a new film on Shudder entitled, Dark Match. Which is a story that introduces us to a small group of wrestlers that are in a tough place. Because despite the fact that they put on a great show, are led by a wrestling legend and harbor amazing talent… they simply cannot hit the big time or find a break. They just move from event to event, hoping the big break awaits and they’ve been at it so long, that tension is rising, and desperation is settling in. Which prompts their leader, ‘Mean’ Joe Lean, to take on a lucrative dark match. One that is led by an echo from Joe’s past, and while at first… this appears to be a gig that will solve their financial problems, it doesn’t take long for the troupe to learn that their desperation has prompted them to sign a deal with the devil. In the literal sense. For Joe’s mysterious foe, The Prophet, wants this troupe to die in the name of darkness so true evil can walk the Earth, and now it will be up to a ragtag bunch of dreamers… to save the world. 
Which really is the perfect way to explore the dark side of the dream, and the desperation people sometimes find when they are eager to get to the top as quickly as possible, and of course… the dangers that accompany that. Because we really do see how badly Joe’s group want success, want to be in lights, and how badly it hurts them to not be there, to fight for a paycheck and a meal and that adds an interesting depth to this film. Since horror rarely looks at this aspect of the human condition, and it sells it and explores it well. Since we feel for this troupe, we want to see them succeed and we happen to learn from their plight. Since it teaches us to stay the course, wait for our time and do what we must to survive until our number is called… so we don’t get caught up in something we will regret or will set us back.
But of course, while that makes for a powerful message and powerful story, this is still a horror film, and this movie delivers on that front in the most epic manner imaginable. Simply because the killing that Prophet inspires, brings about a gory waterfall of blood and guts. The kind that is both sensational and uncomfortable and you simply cannot go wrong with a splatter fueled story that also features some hardcore wrestling and some genuinely eerie moments. Since Prophet’s special brand of evil adds a unique chill to the story for certain and what’s amazing… is that this story still has so much to offer the audience. Simply because, it also features some epic acting, courtesy of some well-known and beloved actors. For Prophet is played by none other than wrestling legend, Chris Jericho, and he relishes in the role and gives it life in a fun and dynamic manner. And he is wonderfully counterbalanced by Steven Ogg’s turn as Joe Lean. Since Steven slips into the role of desperate dreamer with a sense of realism that really grounds the story. One that really is must-see. Because this one, is just a blast through and through. Courtesy of an engaging and relatable story, some fine splatter and just a general sense of fun that makes sure to entertain, as much as it teaches us to prepare for tough times, when we are shooting for the stars. So, we can come through, unscathed. Watch ‘Dark Match’
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