Ring of Darkness is a 2004 fantasy horror film directed by David DeCoteau and starring Ryan Starr, Matt T. Baker, and Adrienne Barbeau. Although never released into American theaters, the movie was released worldwide, and translated into several languages other than English, such as French, Spanish, Italian and German.

Plot summary

The lead singer of boy band 'Take 10' vanishes. The band—which is secretly composed of zombie cannibals—conducts an American Idol type contest to find a replacement.

Cast

Production

Filming for Ring of Darkness was completed in eight days, based on a script Ryan Carassi, Matthew Jason Walsh, and Fangoria editor Michael Gingold. Per DeCoteau, the film's premise had initially been completely different. Adrienne Barbeau's character Alex was initially written for a man and DeCoteau had wanted the role filled by either Antonio Sabato, Jr. or Dolph Lundgren. The choice was made to make Alex a woman and Barbeau was brought in to portray the character.

Reception

Ring of Darkness was reviewed by both Felix Vasquez Jr. of Cinema Crazed and Jon Condit of Dread Central, both criticizing the film for its acting and plot. Per Darren Elliott-Smith, Ring of Darkness, along with DeCoteau's The Brotherhood and Ancient Evil: The Legend of the Mummy II, is an example of the reactionary "coming out" narrative where "the 'Newcomer' can be read as a sexually confused individual who is attracted by the erotic allure of the 'Monster group' who are coded as queer".