Review of Into the Dark: Pooka!

By Dave B.

In Into The Dark: Pooka! (Hulu), Wilson is an actor who has moved to Los Angeles looking for a fresh start and seeking to escape the pain of his past. When he goes for what he believes to be a theatre audition, Wilson gets the part, only to discover that his actual role will be to play a life-size version of the hottest toy this Christmas season, Pooka. Wilson’s lonely life rapidly improves after taking the role, however, his grip on reality begins to slip. As he grows more dependent upon the Pooka suit for emotional stability, he struggles to overcome dark visions and violent urges. 

The third installment of the Into the Dark anthology series is perhaps the best from the perspectives of artistry and plot construction, but it’s also my least favorite one thus far. I definitely give Pooka! credit for being different and going in a narrative direction that I didn’t anticipate, but it’s too bizarre for me to fully embrace. In retrospect, I think that the directorial style and execution of the movie are full of fitting choices, but while watching most of Pooka!, I was distinctly confused and underwhelmed by what I was seeing onscreen, most of which is nearly impossible to mentally interpret in any sensical way until the end of the episode.

​In short, I respect Pooka! much more than I like it and because I didn’t particularly like it, I can’t recommend it. That said, if you’re a fan of not knowing what the hell is going on in a movie or television show until literally the last scene, Pooka! is your dream come true. And despite not especially caring for this specific installment, I’m probably even more of a fan of the Into the Dark anthology now than I was before seeing Pooka!. The series isn’t getting caught up in presenting only one type of horror offering and that is to be commended. Plus, it isn’t every day that I encounter a movie or show that I both dislike and respect. Kudos, Blumhouse. 

Rating: 5/10