Darkness of Man

(2024) Darkness of Man ACTION THRILLER DRAMA

Co-written and directed by James Cullen Bressack that has cop and narrator, Russell Hatch (Jean-Claude Van Damme also credited as co-story) recalling an incident that happened two years earlier remembering how he failed to protect his love interest, Sue Min Kim aka Esther Martin (Chika Kanamoto) to which when two attackers broke into her apartment, she tried to call him while she manage to lock herself inside in her bathroom, it was at that point he was in the middle of a gun battle himself and was shot on the shoulder before he was able to answer his phone. But before she was murdered one of the last requests after handing him a worthy tip was to look after her 13 year old son, Jayden (Emerson Min). The movie then jumps 2 year later and Russell is now drinking more and living in a two bit sleazy motel, he basically acts like his guardian/ godfather to Jayden which the only interaction he has with him is to be his personal driver to and from school. Jayden is now being looked after by his grandfather, Mr. Kim (Ji Yong Lee) who owns a small convenience store, Russell sometimes does food deliveries for him while his actual, adult and only son, Dae Hyun (Peter Jae) happens to be a leader of his own Korean gang mixing himself and clashing with Russian mobsters led by Lazar (Andrey Ivchenko).

Although, the overall experience is watchable I was able to predict the course of events, with the action scenes was bad as the last few Van Damme movies. What can also make this a little watchable are some of the guest appearances such as actress Kristanna Loken who was synonymous from playing the killing machine from Terminator 3 she was also credited as co-executive producer she plays Russell's new girlfriend and animal veterinarian; Shannon Doherty that was said to be her last film appearance, she has a small scene as the school instructor, Vivian; and martial arts kick boxer, Cynthia Rothrock playing as the nurse from the hospital. I had no idea MMA fighter, Nate Diaz is dipping his foot into acting- when I saw him, I recognized him in the back of my mind, but as soon as I looked at the credits his name came up. I also have a problem with the fact, as soon as Russell takes down Lazar's right hand man, Alexei (Zack Ward) he does not even grab the money, it may have been better tactic for him to use to draw his boss out as opposed to posing as another one of his goons.

And to those who presumed the movie was over when the credits were running afterward, of Jean Claude Van Damme as Russell while Jayden (Emerson Min) was eating an ice cream, until actress Kristanna Loken who plays JCVD's new girlfriend, Claire came inside the diner to join them. She would then help herself with his ice cream before Van Damme joined them and ate some as well.

Omg... it's bad... it's not just bad... it's... uh.. Nicholas Cage bad, if you get my drift. I mean, I have no idea what I just watched and the story that just went nowhere with jittery action scenes that were boring and predictable.

Calling this low budget would be an understatement, and the monologue? Wow... puts me to sleep. Just skip this one and put JCVD on the list of washed out actors looking to pay their rent.

I was watching this while on the computer doing my work and it still irritated me like no tomorrow. Dark, hard to see, and just boring... save yourself the time.

I think 2 out of 10 is generous.

After an informant by the name of "Esther" (Chika Kanamoto) dies while in protective custody, the Interpol agent responsible for her safety named "Russell Hatch" (Jean-Claude Van Damme) takes it upon himself to fulfil a promise he made to her to protect her son "Jayden" (Emerson Min) from the bad elements that surround him. The problem, however, is that Jayden lives with his Korean relatives who are involved in the illegal drug trade and the Russian mob is doing everything it can to muscle in on their territory. To that effect, Russell has to try to calmly navigate between these two groups in order to keep things peaceful, while at the same time, Jayden's uncle "Dae Hun" (Peter Jae) is doing his best to stir things up. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, although the plot had definite possibilities, the overall direction left much to be desired. For starters, I didn't especially care for the narration provided by Jean-Claude Van Damme as it detracted from the movie rather than actually enhancing the overall effect. Likewise, having the main character sustain so many serious injuries within a limited span of time, only to engage in repeated fights to the death not long afterward, really strained all sense of reality. Only in Hollywood. Be that as it may, while I don't consider this to be a terribly bad film necessarily, it didn't quite realize its true potential, and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.

Set against the backdrop of a grim Los Angeles, the film weaves a complex narrative around Hatch's promise to a slain informant to protect her son, Jayden. As Hatch grapples with his own demons and the city's underworld, "Darkness of Man" delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of survival. While the film does not boast the high-octane action sequences of Van Damme's heyday, it compensates with a gritty atmosphere and a focus on character-driven storytelling. The noir elements are executed with a commendable finesse, adding layers to the plot and elevating the film above many of its DTV counterparts. Van Damme's performance is nuanced, showcasing his range beyond physical prowess. The supporting cast, including Emerson Min and Andrey Ivchenko, deliver solid performances that anchor the film's emotional core. The action, when it occurs, is well-staged, albeit less frequent than one might expect. The violence is visceral, with a raw edge that suits the film's darker tone. The cinematography and score complement the narrative, creating a cohesive and immersive viewing experience. In conclusion, "Darkness of Man" is a laudable effort that blends action with a moody, noir aesthetic. It may not reach the heights of Van Damme's classic works, but it stands as a testament to his enduring appeal and ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of action cinema. The substitles reminded me of JOHN WICK Substitles and the action was quite pleased, made me intense a little bit.

International police Russell Hatch (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is almost killed during a raid. Masked gunmen attack his confidential informant and faked her suicide. He promised to care for her son Jayden. It's two years later in L. A. Jayden is caught up in a Korean gang and Russell intervenes.

This is a crime drama B-movie trying to inject some neo-noir style. JCVD has been around for forty years and his acting has barely improved. This has a lot of narration from him and his accent is still the same. The filmmaking is mostly uninspired and the story is blandly derivative. There is one action scene where they try to make it interesting. The camera is stationed inside a van as the fight goes around the van outside. It would have been nice to have it a long uncut scene. JCVD is an older gentleman now and that may be asking too much from him.