In Search of Darkness 1995-1999: Journey Back Into Iconic '90s Horror (2025) | Film Review

So here we are again, deep in the archives of horror history! In Search of Darkness has taken us through the glorious 80s, and early 90s, and now David Weiner returns to steer us horror fanatics into the back half of the decade that shook genre cinema like nothing before it.

If you’ve seen any of the earlier In Search of Darkness documentaries, you’ll know exactly what to expect and what you’re getting into here. In short, a gloriously obsessive, endlessly entertaining, and deeply informative documentary that not only takes a long, loving look at horror’s late-’90s greats, but makes you feel like you’re back in the video store scanning those shelves for your next nightmare. Something today’s young cinephiles will never have the joy of experiencing.

In Search of Darkness: 1995 –1999 picks up where its predecessor left off and continues our journey into 90s horror, diving headfirst into the films that defined the latter part of the decade. Right from the opening minutes we’re thrown into a whirlwind of perspective and context - the monumental impact of Scream and its meta-slasher rip-offs that followed, the teen horror boom (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Urban Legend, Halloween H20), gritty genre-bending classics (Se7en, From Dusk Till Dawn), and even the introduction of the (then) new sub-genre ‘found-footage’ with the iconic The Blair Witch Project .

It’s a celebration, contextualisation, and re-evaluation of a period often written off as weak or derivative, yet one that this film argues (convincingly) was rich with filmmakers gambling with experimentation, crossover hits, and an enduring cultural impact on both horror and film in general.

What makes this documentary especially delightful - and what fans will love - is the cast of interviewees. As I said in my previous review for the preview film, there’s something wonderful about watching horror legends geek out over the same stuff you do. The talking heads range from big names to unexpected voices, all coming together to tell the story of these films with infectious passion and positivity. All wonderfully intercut with the films they're discussing may I add.

Weiner brings back familiar contributors and adds fresh faces to the roster: Scream’s own Jamie Kennedy reflects on genre reinvention, Eduardo Sánchez peels back the magic of The Blair Witch Project, Rebecca Gayheart and Michael Rosenbaum talk iconic teen chillers, and composer Marco Beltrami breaks down the sound behind the scares. These conversations never feel forced, more like sitting in a room with another fan or friend geeking out over the films you grew up with. If you're not smiling from ear-to-ear when the film finishes, there may be something wrong with you.

Just like its predecessors, the documentary isn’t afraid to go broad and deep at once. You get big-picture thematic chunks - teen horror tropes, the rise of DVD and changing home-video culture, the  effects of international horror like Ringu - alongside minute anecdotes and stories from cast and crew. It keeps a great rhythm, even with a runtime north of six hours; there’s always something new to spark nostalgia or curiosity, and you rarely feel bogged down. Although it kept my full attention throughout, I will admit I had to do this in 3 sittings. The film is neatly spilt up into various sections as well, so it offers fans plenty of logical places to stop should they need/want a break.

In Search of Darkness 1995-1999: Journey Back Into Iconic '90s Horror (2025) | Film Review

In closing: this newest In Search of Darkness installment does exactly what it promises. It takes you on a thrilling, sometimes hilarious, wonderfully nostalgic, always affectionate journey through the late ’90s horror landscape - and it does so with a level of insight and reverence that makes it essential viewing for genre fans old and new. Whether you lived through this era or are just discovering it now, there’s a surprising amount you’ll walk away wanting to re-watch (or finally watch) on your own.

The film is currently available now via CreatorVC's WEBSITE. They are having a 'Digital Flash Sale' starting January 16th, 2026 and running for ten days. Head over to 90shorrordoc.com to get your copy now. You can check out the trailer below.