In 1989, a new kind of horror film debuted on the big screen, directed by Brian Yuzna. This movie was entertaining and disturbing, offering a unique experience for horror fans that set it apart from anything they had seen. Many considered it on par with some of the greatest horror films, such as Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. The film revolved around a simple yet powerful concept, highlighting themes of paranoia and a world where the wealthy literally feed off the poor. The movie I’m referring to is Society, one of the most influential films of its time. While you may have seen the film, the question remains: do you know how it was created and what dark secrets surround its production?
This documentary, The Darkside of Society, explores the life of Zeph E. Daniel, the writer of the Society, who penned its first draft in 1988. Daniel’s development of the concept was both unexpected and shocking. While this documentary delves into the creation and impact of the film Society, its primary focus is to uncover and reveal Daniel’s background and upbringing. We not only hear directly from Daniel, but we are also treated to clips and interviews with other celebrities, including David Gregory (Severin Films), John Gullidge (Journalist), Richard Stanley (Film Director), Screaming Mad George (Special Effects Artist), Tony Timpone (Producer and Former Editor of Fangoria), Lacy Lou (Film Critic and Journalist), Alan Jones (Film Critic), and Patricia Daniel (Daniel’s Wife, Actress, and Producer).
While this documentary provides a detailed insight into Daniel’s life and tragic upbringing, which is genuinely disheartening, The Darkside of Society ultimately yields disappointing results. After the initial ten minutes of the film, it became clear that the focus shifts from the film’s original topic of an exploration of the film Society to exploring the life of Daniel himself. It’s evident that Daniel has endured significant struggles, and even now, it is challenging to watch as he tries to explain his past as thoroughly as possible. The film does not hold back as viewers quickly discover that Daniel’s world was filled with real horrors and nightmares. His upbringing was marked by disturbing elements, including experiences of satanic ritual abuse during his childhood. Additionally, he faced the harsh reality that those around him were involved with elite groups, organised crime, and suffered many unloving acts within his own family. This emotional journey is heavy-hearted as Daniel reflects on the darkness of his childhood.
More than this shift in the focus of the documentary, there were issues with the videography. Throughout the documentary, some interview segments have focus issues, and several interviews exhibit disruptive continuity issues, with individuals shown at different times and different locations while recounting the same story. The attempt to piece these segments together seamlessly fails; instead, it becomes a distraction and feels clunky and disjointed. Some interviews contained information that were not relevant to the topic. For example, Daniel mentions early on receiving a phone call about the reality of the Society and also references a Polaroid photograph. This story is incomplete, and these details are never fully explained. I was particularly disappointed with Richard Stanley’s interview, which featured poor audio quality that detracted from the film’s overall production value.
Other details detract from the documentary’s focus, like when a film critic and journalist are introduced not just once or twice but thrice. Additionally, viewers are treated to random shots of footage, including drone shots around Daniel’s home, which serve no clear purpose or impact. Another notable letdown was having the film narrated by the late Julian Sands. His delivery felt more suited for a game show, brimming with energy, which clashed with the documentary’s dark and sombre themes.
Overall, The Darkside of Society presents a dark and depressing narrative centred around a straightforward concept: a man, tormented as a young boy, eventually becomes the creator of one of the most influential films of its era, Society. The impact could have been significantly more substantial if Daniel had spoken directly into the camera for twenty to thirty minutes. This film attempts to be a documentary about Society, but while it addresses serious and heartbreaking topics, it also feels dull as it primarily highlights Daniel’s pain and past torment without offering any direction or support for viewers who may be struggling with similar issues. Furthermore, the documentary fails to provide any real film education about Society after its first ten minutes, ultimately falling short of its potential. There were persistent issues that detracted from the documentary during interviews, such as questionable audio quality and instances where Daniel himself appeared blurred on screen. While the late Julian Sands as narrator was a commendable choice, his delivery seemed more fitting for a game show and felt out of place in this context. We can empathise with Daniel’s pain and suffering, but it does not change the fact that this documentary could and should have been much more impactful.
The Darkside of Society (2023) will be available on Digital in Australia from May 13th.
Published: 5th May 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
CONNECT WITH PETER WALKDEN:
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@walkdenentertainment / @walkdenpublicity
FOLLOW US ON LETTERBOXD:
@Peter_Walkden
THANK YOU FOR VISITING!
0 Comments