Review for ‘‘THE DARK GIRL’’ Enrico Saller

The time-tested plot of a murder-mystery centering around the work of an oblivious writer is Enrico Saller's debut film The Dark Girl's main thesis.

This feature-length film eloquently tells the story of writer Laura, who has just published her crime novel, and appears to have her life in perfect order. However, when a string of murders immitating those in the novel terrorizes her community, she has to reevaluate her relationships and her trust in an attempt to get ahead of the murderer. The plot itself doesn't push the limits of creativity, but it manages to immerse the viewer in a well-made thriller with relatable characters struggling with the sins of their past.

The Dark Girl boasts excellent technical feats, from tense editing and inspired photography to a very high-quality image and lighting. The music is capable if a bit discordant with the thriller's dark & oppressive atmosphere, while the performances are top-notch, especially from our protagonist.

All in all, the Dark Girl treads familiar ground, but does so in a way that betrays the passion & dedication that went to its creation. We hope to see Enrico Saller step outside his comfort zone in the future, and put his undeniable skills to the test in more adventurous ways.