There was no prejudicial bias at all directed towards 'Havana Darkness', or at least it was not intended if it comes over that way, before watching. What usually draws me into seeing a film etc. in the first place are namely good or concepts, talented casts and promising advertising, and sometimes my love (or at least appreciation) for the genre it fits under plays a part. 'Havana Darkness' had three of those four things, the cast being the exception down to unfamiliarity with those involved.

Sadly, 'Havana Darkness' doesn't really deliver on any of its promise, and promise-wise it was hardly one of those dead before arrival sort of films. Have seen far worse films certainly, recently and throughout my whole life as a film buff (especially in recent years). It is not even one of the worst in its genre. Although merits are few, 'Havana Darkness' is not one of those beyond redemption films, or to me that's the case, it takes a lot for me actually to call something unsalvageable.

'Havana Darkness' is surprisingly not too badly made visually. The scenery especially is very pleasing on the eye and has atmosphere. It is well complemented by the anti-thesis-of-amateurish photography and the editing is cohesive at least.

Also thought the acting from the two leads was competent and quite decent in parts, never mind-blowing but at least there was some skill.

On the other hand, the same cannot be said for most of the rest of the cast. The villains are some of the most un-threatning imaginable, more sending the viewers to sleep rather than seeing them biting their nails. The script is in serious lack of momentum and was begging for a tightning up and proof read, too much rambling talk and that is when one can make sense of it. The implausible decision making and sketchy at best character development make the characters impossible to engage with despite the best efforts of the three leads.

What really cripples 'Havana Darkness' is the pace, which is as slow as the most lethargic of molasses with too much padding stretched out endlessly. It did annoy me that the film had a concept that was quite inventive if strange and executed it so ordinarily, dully and ridiculously. Tension, suspense and thrills are all non-existent, while dreariness, stupidity and predictability permeated throughout the film with the subtlety of an axe. The 180 direction that the film has 40 minutes in completely jars.

In conclusion, not completely dreadful but a weak effort. 3/10

HAVANA DARKNESS is a dreadful little low budget thriller which happily rips off the likes of the SAW franchise to very poor effect. Once again there's a creepy masked killer who traps the unlikeable protagonists in a series of rooms where they have to fight through various traps in a bid to escape. The whole thing is entirely tiresome and routine, with cheap sets and uninteresting direction throughout; the sets are so small that I was starting to feel claustrophobic watching. At least they actually shot part of this in Havana, but it's a pity it's such a waste of time.

This is a human hunting film that takes place in PLOT SPOILER Havana. Carlos (Guillermo Iván) is Hemmingway junkie and is writing an article on him, but has writer's block. At his favorite NYC bookstore, he obtains an undiscovered manuscript which draws him to visit his old home of Cuba. His friends John (Zach Rose) and Karen (Carolina Ravassa) join him on the trip. Carlos locates an estate that is connected to the story...one where people enter but never leave.

Not as interesting as a woods hunt where women lose their tops. They attempted to make a "B" movie interesting by introducing Hemmingway. Personally, I found his writing style to be tedious to read.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity