Johnny Depp plays a vampire in a soap opera about a family with a secret. That pitch sounds strange on paper. On screen, it mostly just feels tired.
Trailer, via Warner Bros. Entertainment.
The Collins Family
“Dark Shadows” is based on the TV series of the same name. It follows the Collins family, who run a shipping business and a mansion full of secrets. Barnabas Collins returns from the dead after being buried alive for 183 years, and finds his family falling apart around him.
Tim Burton directs. He built his career on dark fairy tales, and this looks like one. The sets are grand, the costumes are elaborate, and the lighting is moody. But none of that makes the story move faster.
Johnny Depp’s Barnabas
Depp plays Barnabas with a sneer and a cape. He moves through the film with a slow, deliberate grace that fits the vampire role well. But the script doesn’t give him much to do beyond brood and stare.
The problem isn’t Depp. It’s the material he’s handed.
The Other Players
Chloë Grace Moretz plays Victoria, a young woman who falls for Barnabas. Michelle Pfeiffer plays Elizabeth, his wife. Gullible townsfolk, a nosy journalist, and a vengeful maid round out the cast. None of them get the screen time they deserve.
The Pace Problem
The film runs long. Scenes drag. Characters talk at each other instead of to each other. The humor, meant to be funny, lands flat. The romance, meant to be tender, feels forced.
The Table
| Element | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Visual style | Moody, striking | Overwrought, distracting |
| Johnny Depp | Charismatic | Underwritten |
| Supporting cast | Strong ensemble | Underused |
Where It Falls Short
“Dark Shadows” tries to be a spooky, romantic adventure. It ends up being a plodding mess. The plot is convoluted without being clever. The tone shifts from horror to comedy to romance without warning, and none of those modes land.
Final Word
There’s ambition here. There’s talent in front of the camera. What’s missing is focus. “Dark Shadows” is a film that knows what it wants to be but can’t seem to hold onto that idea for more than a few scenes at a time.
It’s not a disaster. It’s just a disappointment.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
