Grit, Guitars, and Getting Back Up

Read Time:4 Minute, 56 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Darkness – Welcome To The Darkness
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Genre: Documentary, Music
Year Released: 2023, Lightbulb Film Distribution Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Simon Emmett
Where To Watch: Available April 15, 2025. Pre-order your copy here: www.mvdshop.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: A raw, unscripted backstage pass into the reality of rock resurrection, THE DARKNESS – WELCOME TO THE DARKNESS doesn’t just chronicle a comeback—it embraces the beauty and chaos that come with trying to reclaim something lost. Whether you're a casual listener or the type to scream lyrics in your car, there’s something refreshingly human about watching a band mythologize and humble themselves.

Rather than leaning on nostalgia, the documentary thrusts us straight into the present-day struggle of The Darkness, a band once known for commanding arena stages with their over-the-top glam flair and now storming through pubs and clubs with that same intensity. It’s the kind of setup that feels pulled from a script, except it’s real—and the stakes feel heavier because of it. The story structure eschews the traditional cradle-to-comeback template. While early fame and the fallout are certainly addressed, the film's heart lives in the now: worn-down tour vans, muscle memory on stage, and a drive that hasn’t waned despite the years and the setbacks.

The documentary is directed by Simon Emmett, whose approach favors direct access over artifice. It’s less of a career montage and more of a vérité-style character study, focusing primarily on frontman Justin Hawkins. The film benefits from staying close to him, not because he’s the loudest or flashiest (though he certainly checks both boxes), but because he wears his contradictions proudly. In one moment, he’s picking rhinestones out of a catsuit; the next, he’s quietly talking about his vocal cord surgeries or his past substance use. The stark contrast adds weight to every on-stage scream and behind-the-scenes silence.

Every crowd interaction and guitar solo isn’t just about the music—it’s about proving something to themselves. These shows, set in unassuming towns and underwhelming venues, are filmed like the band is still headlining a stadium, which plays right into their ethos: no crowd is too small, and no show is phoned in.

The documentary also examines the dynamic between Justin and his brother Dan Hawkins, who serves as the quiet backbone of his sibling’s wild theatrics. There’s a sense that their relationship, tested over decades, is the glue keeping the whole operation together. Their tension isn’t dramatized for the camera—it simmers and surfaces naturally, especially in the scenes where decisions about the band’s future hang in the air. Those interpersonal exchanges give the film weight beyond the usual music-doc spectacle.

The project succeeds when it commits to its stripped-back tone. There are no voiceovers, dramatic re-enactments, or stylized montages trying to force significance. Instead, we get long stretches in hotel rooms, post-show reflections, and the quiet in-between moments that other rock docs tend to trim out.

This isn't a documentary built to crown The Darkness as music royalty reclaiming their throne. It’s a story about what happens when you want to try again—not for the fame or the money—but because performing is what you know how to do. That makes for a more grounded, more authentic story. The emotional throughline stays clear: this is a group of musicians refusing to give up.

There’s humor, too—plenty of it. Whether it's the wardrobe antics or the awkward meet-and-greet scenarios, the band’s ability to laugh at themselves makes them more likable than any award could. They’re not trying to polish their image for the camera. If anything, they seem to delight in the mess.

THE DARKNESS – WELCOME TO THE DARKNESS balances music, memory, and modesty. It's not a celebration of triumph. It's a study of perseverance. The band may not return to stadium stages, but they don’t need to. They already carry that energy with them wherever they go. And that’s the point—whether the room has 200 people or 20,000, they still play like it's opening night. It may not be flawless, and it might not answer every question, but it doesn’t pretend to be the definitive word on The Darkness. Instead, it offers arguably more compelling: a snapshot of a band still writing its story, one show at a time.

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[photo courtesy of LIGHTBULB FILM DISTRIBUTION, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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