Weekend Movie Reviews: 'Let Him Go' And 'The Dark And The Wicked'

This weekend, two new releases come to life on the big screen exploring themes of family, love and misery.

In the neo-Western thriller "Let Him Go," Diane Lane and Kevin Costner play a longtime married couple who embark on a rescue mission to save their only grandson from the hands of a venomous matriarch (Lesley Manville).

Looking for a gripping, gory horror film? Look no further than "The Dark and the Wicked," starring Marin Ireland and Michael Abbott Jr. as two adult siblings suddenly thrust into a world of pure evil.

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Here's what to see and what to skip this weekend:

“Let Him Go” — Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Lesley Manville; directed by Thomas Bezucha

Familial love, loss and grief erupt with unexpected terrifying consequences in Thomas Bezucha’s Western thriller that is based on Larry Watson’s 2013 bestselling novel of the same name.

Set in 1963, the film stars Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as longtime married couple George and Margaret Blackledge, who share their Montana ranch home with their son, James (Ryan Bruce), his loving wife, Lorna (Kayli Carter), and their infant son, Jimmy.

The Blackledges have lived a peaceful and quiet life — that is, until James suddenly dies in a horseback riding accident and Lorna remarries into the creepy and dangerous Weboy clan, forcing Margaret and George to face the grim reality that lies ahead.

As the story unfolds, it won’t be long before the old couple embarks on a rescue mission all the way to North Dakota to save their grandson. However, Margaret and George will soon find out that the Weboy clan’s ruthless matriarch, Blanche (Lesley Manville), will not simply let Jimmy go without a battle, setting in motion a violent, fiery finale.

See it. Lane, Manville and Costner are electrifying in this blistering drama infused with early moments of profundity; however, expect the film’s slow-burn pace and incongruous tone to test your patience.

Watch the trailer:

“The Dark and the Wicked” — Marin Ireland, Michael Abbott Jr., Xander Berkeley; directed by Bryan Bertino

An ominous mood pervades Bryan Bertino’s latest horror flick, immersing viewers in a concoction of countless creepy noises, spooky images and gruesome sequences — all to project an isolated world fraught with anguish and misery.

At the heart of the story are two adult siblings — Louise (Marin Ireland) and Michael (Michael Abbott Jr.) — who have returned to their childhood home to say goodbye to their dying, bed-ridden father (Michael Zagst), despite their mother’s (Julie Oliver-Touchstone) warning to stay away.

Soon, they will discover that there’s more to it than meets the eye, as the siblings get propelled into an unforgiving rollercoaster ride of terror.

See it. Well-acted and well-crafted, this gorefest is relentless, truly living up to its title. However, the slow-burn film meanders aimlessly for the most part. Be warned: “The Dark and the Wicked” is not for the faint of heart.

Watch the trailer: