In Search of Darkness: Part II

Lore & Background

In Search of Darkness: Part II is a 2020 documentary written and directed by David A. Weiner, serving as a sequel to his 2019 documentary In Search of Darkness. While the first film covered more mainstream horror movies, Part II deliberately shifts its focus to obscure, international, and straight-to-video deep cuts. Weiner stated, 'For Part II, I definitely made a very concerted effort to go on an international scope and do a lot of the B-sides and straight-to-video deep cuts.' The documentary features over four hours of new interviews with various contributors.

The documentary premiered on Shudder on April 26, 2021. Reception was mixed but generally positive. Movieweb praised the documentary, calling it 'a hell of a ride from start to finish.' 411Mania gave it a 7/10 and opined that while the film was 'not as good as the first,' it was nonetheless 'a worthy successor.'

Weiner reflected on the passion of horror fans, saying, 'There's something special about horror films, where the fans will really love them like their own homely child. They circle the wagons around their favorites and defend them ‘till their dying breath. We all love these films for different reasons and we all acknowledge that while The Shining might be the cream of the crop, Chopping Mall still has a place in our hearts.'

Reader's Guide

In Search of Darkness: Part II is significant as a documentary that deliberately expands the scope of its predecessor by highlighting obscure, international, and straight-to-video horror films. It represents a concerted effort to give attention to lesser-known works that have passionate fan bases, as articulated by director David A. Weiner. The documentary's over four hours of new interviews provide a deep dive into films that are often overlooked in mainstream horror discourse. Its premiere on Shudder on April 26, 2021, made it accessible to a streaming audience. Critical reception acknowledged it as a worthy successor to the first documentary, even if not as highly regarded. The film's legacy lies in its celebration of horror's 'B-sides' and its recognition that even flawed or obscure films like Chopping Mall hold a special place in fans' hearts, alongside classics like The Shining.

Did You Know?

• It is a sequel to Weiner's 2019 documentary In Search of Darkness.
• Unlike the first documentary, Part II focuses on more obscure movies and features over four hours of new interviews.