Having just finished watching Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, I was reminded of how much I really love dark fantasy. I mean, I love the fantasy genre in general, whether it be in television shows, movies, comics or books. But there is something about dark fantasy that, to me, is so much more engrossing, interesting… and entertaining. 

I was raised on science fiction and fantasy, having a father who loved watching Star Trek and Doctor Who and who took me to see Blade Runner when I was far too young to watch something that dark and adult. And as a kid I watched The Black Hole, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Legend, Labyrinth and, yes, Dark Crystal.  These were some of my earliest loves in film (along with Annie and The Pirate Movie, but that’s another blog).

Where fantasy opens the imagination to myriad ways good will eventually triumph, dark fantasy keeps you guessing as to whether any characters will survive in the end. And the best versions make you question whether the “good guys” are really all that good and have you sympathizing with the villains. Then there are those that have flat out evil incarnate and you want good to prevail, but can’t see how it will.

There are so many properties around now that incorporate dark fantasy. Just look at Harry Potter, the MCU, Supernatural and even Legends of Tomorrow – there are unquestionably dark elements, villains you love to follow and some not-so-happy endings. Obviously it’s what people want in their fantasy now, not just following the good and watching the obvious progression to triumphing over evil. And for me, make mine dark every time.