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Steven Seagal, Tanoai Reed, Jeff Chase, Skye Bennett, Linden Ashby ... see more see more... , David Keith , Danny Midwinter , Jenna Harrison

The human population of planet Earth has been decimated by bloodthirsty vampires, and now the only hope for the few remaining survivors lies in the skills of one man who always lived by the sword. Tao... read more read more... (Steven Seagal) is a katana master who never met a vampire he didn't want to slay. When roving packs of vampires force the few uninfected survivors to seek refuge in an abandoned hospital, the only hope for the human race lies with Tao's special squad of ex-military vigilantes. The only cure for these creatures is execution, and that's Tao's specialty. As the hunt gets underway, Tao and his team make it their mission to ensure that the creatures of the night don't inherit the Earth. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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17% liked it

1,580 ratings

R, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Richard Crudo

Release Date: February 10, 2009

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DVD Release Date: February 10, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (240)

  • deano
    April 13, 2009
    deano
    The first time I ever seen Steven Seagal appeared in this horror movie, but quite also action is to hunt mutants alike vampires. Believe it is familiar to The Legend. All cast are average and the action scenes are not much excitement for me.
  • phubbs1
    February 11, 2009
    phubbs1
    Total rip of many other better films, copycat almost.
    Virus that causes blood craving zombie vampires spreads and infects many, enter group of Seagal led leather trench coat wearing hard nuts, Steven Seagal saves the world, the end.

    (oh and Seagal has a bloody stupid name...Tao)
  • zardoz3
    May 29, 2010
    zardoz3
    The marginal Steven Seagal action thriller "Against the Dark" is as gruesome as it is ghoulish, but it is also wholly predictable pabulum. The only thing that sets this picture apart from Seagal's previous films is that he battles supernatural adversaries. Sadly, the one-dimensio... read morenal Mathew Klickstein screenplay boasts no humor and the pallid dialogue is primarily expository. None of the characters experience any change or growth, short of losing their humanity and transforming it flesh feasting zombies. In other words, "Against the Dark" is neither as entertaining as "Under Siege" nor as much fun as "The Glimmer Man." Aside from Seagal, the only two recognizable stars in "Against the Dark" are Linden Ashby and Keith David, and they are squandered in supporting roles back at headquarters as they agonize about the plight of humanity in light of the epidemic.

    As for the paunchy Seagal, stylishly decked out in a long black leather coat, he wields a nasty razor-edged sword, slashing his way without a qualm through an army of zombies, while his companions either blast away at them with firearms or use other exotic cutlery. Occasionally, Seagal resorts to a shotgun, but he never delivers any dialogue that constitutes comic relief as he did in "The Glimmer Man." Although it resembles vaguely the apocalyptic Will Smith sci-fi movie "I Am Legend" because it concerns a widespread viral epidemic infection that cannot be vanquished except by death and destruction, the taciturn Seagal hero named Tao spends most of his time off-screen.

    Meanwhile, we are left watching a sympathetic but expendable bunch of victims as they navigate their way through a hospital during after dark infested by zombie predators that feast on the entrails and flesh of the dead. During the final half-hour of this 93-minute saga, director Richard Crudo tries to drum up suspense by cross-cutting between our heroes trying to get out of a contaminated area before a flight of jets carrying bombs that will sterilize the area drop their deadly cargo.

    The opening narration sets the stage for the action and brings us up to speed on the setting. "Once the infection hit, there was little time to react. People did what they could, but since no one was immune to the effects of the virus, the authorities were ultimately helpless as the infection rapidly spread. All who became exposed and survived an initial attack began their own relentless quest for blood, attacking and feeding upon the innocent. There was no vaccine. No known reports of individuals being immune. Neighborhoods and entire cities were wiped out. Many surviving humans like us were left to fend for ourselves, moving around during the day and hiding at night, barricading themselves inside secure buildings. Others formed vigilante groups or became hunters, swordsmen who were tracking down and killing the infected. We were lucky when we managed to find a refuge, a place with some food and shelter where we could survive until we could be rescued. But without location no longer being safe and the chances of rescue becoming more and more remote, our options were running out. It was now us against the dark." Clearly, you can see the resemblance between "I Am Legend" and "Against the Dark." Indeed, "Against the Dark" could have been a prequel to "I Am Legend." After they harvest another bunch of bloody zombies, Tao (Seagal) turns to his team of hunters and observes with a straight face: "We are not here to decide who is right or wrong. We're here to decide who lives and dies." Unfortunately, there is nothing new or exciting about this atmospheric zombie flick. Only hardcore Seagal fans will want to watch "Against the Dark" and they'll probably feel cheated.
  • NuditysShiver
    February 27, 2010
    NuditysShiver
    Against The Dark is a weak ripoff of Blade, with uninteresting characters, an idiosyncratic storyline and a lazy dialogue. The atmosphere seems washed-out, not creepy or morbid as the film implies. I'm already getting tired of Steven Seagal and his characters having... read more some kind of ability to dodge harmful situations; it's like he's some kind of unstoppable force. Now he's playing a "katana master" called Tao; pretty redundant, wouldn't you say, Steve? Against The Dark is a waste of a film.
  • filmguy450
    November 19, 2009
    filmguy450
    Steven Segal kills vampires. I bloody wish! He's not even in a third of this movie, and the characters are all stupid and annoying, and the action is bland and poorly shot. A failure on all counts!
  • stallonefan1
    September 3, 2009
    stallonefan1
    A different kind of vehicle for Seagal as he plays Tao a Katana master who leads a squad of vigilantes on a mission to massacre a vicous bunch of vampires.The post apocalyptic setting sets the stage for some good action and thrills but not enough screen time for Steven
  • feldmandigital
    August 22, 2009
    feldmandigital
    I still don't see how some of the reviews on here are greater than 1 whole star. This movie made me laugh so hard at the horrible production work and 10 minutes of Steven Seagal walking around cupping a sword in his hands.
  • helwigs
    June 2, 2009
    helwigs
    It was an interesting concep if you had enough will power to watch the entire movie. Steven Seagal wasn't really in it that much so I dunno why he is the main person other than he's probably the only person in it that can be recognized. I don't get why the synopsys says they are ... read morevampires, because even the characters say that they aren't. It's like 30 Days of Night meets I Am Legend, only that's not always a good thing.
  • bspiller
    April 29, 2009
    bspiller
    This was one of Steven Seagal's worst movies I have seen. It wasn't that good. He has done much better in past movies!
  • sykora259517
    April 12, 2009
    sykora259517
    Steven Segal is in it. Thought it might be cool. but that isn?t the only thing that?s wrong about this movie! 1st. Segal is no longer a action movie star. He?s what like Harrison Ford age? Either retire or start to do something that?s not action cause ooh he whips a sword aroun... read mored but he doesn?t do all the other ?juggling? he used to do with them! Some other dude was the one doing all the stuff Segal SHOULD have been!! 2. This is NOT a vampire movie. it says vampires but Honey Last I checked I do not eat flesh of human!!! Wait a minute I went a little over the top. they?re not actually eating the outer layer (as far as I have noticed) but they were eating intestine, organs etc. & well nobel as most of us Vamps are? I know there are some off breeds (which also have their OWN names & distinctions) that might like this but Do NOT insult my kind with that of GHOULS! & These are ghouls in this movie! (at least there were no little bambinos. The acting was ok. Maybe a little idiotic at times unless its on sci-fi channel don?t bother. Cause its just sad to see Segal not being his former self. (I?m getting too old) D

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Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg
February 12, 2009
Scott Weinberg, FEARnet

Every 15 minutes a few blood-covered stuntmen leap out from the shadows and get involved in some uneventful carnage. You'll hardly notice. Full Review

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  • Which Harry Potter film does he have a new "Defense Against the Dark Arts" teacher, and convicted murderer Sirius Black has escaped the Wizards' Prison and is coming after him.  Answer »
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