MONSTER HUNTER is yet another cheap-looking digital horror flick about a monster on the loose in the woods and assailing the inhabitants of a small village. As usual it's up to the local sheriff department to sort things out in the form of Kevin Durand and Lukas Haas, two likeable actors who do their very best with the material here. Sadly, they don't have a great deal to work with and attempts at slow-burning atmosphere often fall flat. The film's dulled visuals are the worst aspect, and although things pick up for the climax, the cheaper-than-cheap SFX are a real letdown.

In Madden Woods, Sheriff Paul Shields (Kevin Durand) is passing a difficult period of his life and is divorcing from his wife Susan (Bianca Kajlich) after the accidental death of their son Tim. Susan has moved to the house of her mother with their son Adam (Ethan Khusidman) that wants his parents together. When Paul and his partner Sheriff Donny Saunders (Lukas Haas), who has come from New York, are summoned by a horse breeder to investigate the disappearance of one horse, they believe that the man has forgotten the gate open. Soon they find strange footprints and they believe it is a prankster playing a prank on the population. But soon Paul realizes that something weird is unleashed in the town and the Indian bartender believes it is a Wendigo. Sheriff Shiels asks from support from the National Guard but a storm is coming and the troop will only arrive later. Will he be capable to protect the inhabitants with Donny from the evil that is coming?

"Dark Was the Night" is a suspenseful horror film, with good story and well developed characters. The story seems to be the conventional movie with happy ending until the unexpected final plot point that surprises any viewer. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): Not available on DVD or Blu-Ray

"Dark Was the Night" and "Monster Hunter" are the same film. The small quiet town of Maiden Woods (Pop. 243) appears to be annoyed by a "Bigfoot" type creature as the virgin woods to the north is being harvested. Sheriff Paul Shields (Kevin Durand) who has some personal problems getting over the death of his son , is aided by Luke Haas (the kid from "Witness" all grown up) as they try to solve the problem of the missing horse, pets, and strange footprints all over town. The drama and action build up slow until the end when we get to see the creature (unless you have the UK DVD "Monster Hunter" then it's on the plot spoiler cover).

People acted fairly civil in this film. The drama was mostly internal conflicts, i.e. Sheriff Paul fighting his own demon within until he has to face the legend of the woods. The slowness of the movie had "TV production" written all over it. For those who prefer high drama, low action horror, with character development, this one has it.