Is Ring of Darkness Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Ring of Darkness is likely a skip if you enjoy Horror movies.
It features a runtime of 85 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Ring of Darkness Review
Last updated: January 10, 2026
The Premise
Released in 2004, Ring of Darkness enters the Horror genre with a narrative focused on When the singer of a popular rock band disappears under mysterious circumstances, a contest to find a replacement soon turns from dream-come-true to waking nightmare for the young singer who hopes to take the job. Under the direction of David DeCoteau, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Adrienne Barbeau, Stephen Martines, Jeremy Jackson. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Aspects & Direction
From a technical standpoint, Ring of Darkness offers a competent presentation. The cinematography aligns well with the tone, keeping the narrative moving at a brisk pace.
Where to Watch
As of January 2026, Ring of Darkness is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US and UK, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45 days after the theatrical release. Check your local listings for specific showtimes.
Final Thoughts
With an audience rating of 3.9/10, the reception has been negative. For fans of Horror, it serves as a skippable entry unless you go in with lowered expectations.
Ring of Darkness Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $750,000 |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Ring of Darkness Budget
The estimated production budget for Ring of Darkness is $750,000. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Cast of Ring of Darkness
- Adrienne Barbeau – Alex
- Stephen Martines – Shawn
- Jeremy Jackson – Xavier
- Ryan Starr – Stacy
- Eric Dearborn – Max
Top Highlights
Adrienne BarbeauAlex
Stephen MartinesShawn
Jeremy JacksonXavier
Ryan StarrStacy
Eric DearbornMax
Greg CipesGordo
Colin BainB.J.
Matt T. BakerJake
John WynnKyle
Jeff PetersonJonah
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 3.9/10, and global collection metrics, Ring of Darkness stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2004 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ring of Darkness movie hit or flop?
Ring of Darkness is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 3.9/10 and lower collections.
Is Ring of Darkness worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 3.9/10, Ring of Darkness may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
What genre is Ring of Darkness?
Ring of Darkness is a Horror movie that When the singer of a popular rock band disappears under mysterious circumstances, a contest to find a replacement soon turns from dream-come-true to w...
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Critic Reviews
**_Hampered by noticeably bad ‘B’ acting, but dynamic, comic booky SoCal youth-cult horror_** When a popular boy band from Los Angeles loses its frontman, the manager (Adrienne Barbeau) conducts an American Idol-like contest to enlist a new singer. The top 3 contenders then compete for the gig at the band’s coastal hacienda, but something sinister is going on. Shot in 2003, "Ring of Darkness” is similar to “The Lost Boys” (with a little “Dangerously Close”), but on a $750,000 budget helmed by a quickie director. If you can roll with the ‘boy band’ angle, the first half has pizazz and is entertaining. Unfortunately, laughably wooden acting takes over in the second half (not that it was exactly great in the first half). It’s like the production was running out of money as they were filming and the cast members started receiving their lines 5 minutes before shooting. Blonde Irina Voronina stands out on the feminine front as Amethyst while Ryan Starr is notable as Stacy. On the other side of the spectrum, Stephen Martines works well as protagonist Shawn. While I’m giving this a relatively low rating due to the bad acting, it’s amusing and has its highlights, as long as you can handle TV-budget non-horror from the early 2000s, such as the remakes of “Satan’s School for Girls” (2000) and “The Initiation of Sarah” (2006). The movie runs 1 hour, 25 minutes, and was shot in Hollywood & Bronson Caves in Los Angeles and El Matador State Beach in Malibu. GRADE: C-