Dark Match (2025) is directed by Lowell Dean. It stars Ayisha Issa, Steven Ogg, Chris Jericho, Mo Adan, Sara Canning, Jonathan Cherry, Michael Eklund, Stephanie Wolfe, Leo Fafard, Mitch Clark, Jonathan Lepine, and Justin Lawrick. The film follows a low-level troupe of professional wrestlers who are offered a lucrative gig in an isolated, backwoods town. When the show begins, it quickly becomes clear that the gig’s host, a man only known as “Leader” (Jericho), doesn’t intend to allow the wrestlers to leave the ring in one piece. When members of their group begin getting picked off one by one after being forced to fight to the death in occult-themed wrestling matches, the survivors led by Miss Behave (Issa) and Mean Joe Lean (Ogg) search desperately for a way to escape – even if that means wrestling their way out. 

  Other than Ayisha Issa’s charismatic and physically impressive lead performance as Miss Behave, the rest of the cast’s acting is noticeably bad. The only performance other than Issa’s that works is Steven Ogg as Mean Joe Lean. It’s spot-on casting in the sense that the character allows Ogg to play both into and against his trademark “crazy guy” persona. In the ring as Mean Joe Lean, he’s as crazy as it gets. When he’s outside the ring, he’s able to play a more lovable and sensitive character. The thing is, sensitivity doesn’t fit Ogg very well, but it ultimately works due to the fact that this guy is a struggling pro wrestler – someone who I totally believe would have a hard time showing his feelings. 

Although most of the supporting performances are shoddy, they’re not quite offensive. Although lazily executed, they achieve at the very least a level of B-movie, “so bad, it’s good” charm that’s solid for at least a couple of eye-rolling chuckles. Unfortunately, Chris Jericho who plays the main villain delivers what is by far the film’s crappiest performance. Physically, he’s a perfect fit for the role, but it doesn’t do nearly enough to make up for the that I could probably get better line delivery out of my dad (someone who’s seemingly never pursued the arts once in his life).

Despite the film’s fun, B-movie horror premise that feels like a zany ode to heavy metal, pro wrestling, occult horror, and even Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room (2015), it’s just too carelessly produced to stick around in one’s memory. The neon-soaked, Grindhouse visual style makes sense when considering the film’s subject matter, but it honestly just looks crappy. It’s like watching a DVD on an HD TV. It’s too blurry to enjoy but also too modern-looking to provide the shoddy charm of bootlegged wrestling tapes. It also features countless crappy edits that are distracting at the minimum. These include headache-inducing wrestling matches that attempt (and fail) to create a sense of intensity by moving the camera as if it’s jacked up on speed and has a mind of its own. I know that sounds kinda cool, but believe me, it results in action sequences that are a chore to follow. It also feels as if seemingly important characters introduced during the first act are either forgotten completely or implemented later on in a way that feels forced.

Even though the film is junk in almost every technical sense, I found myself enjoying its unexpectedly grounded nature – a choice that feels like a welcome subversion for these kinds of low-budget horror movies. Unfortunately, this is all thrown out the window in a final scene that backtracks on nearly all of its grounded setup. Is it surprising? Sure. Does it fit? Absolutely not. It’s the only real surprise this movie has, but it’s an awful one.

Overall, this is a pretty effortless film in terms of delivering quality. It looks like crap, the performances are lackluster at best, and the script has more holes than a portrait of some psychopath’s ex after they spend a day at the range. That being said, if you’re a fan of pro wrestling or crappy horror movies in general, it delivers the basic goods. It’s not good, but it certainly isn’t boring either. I honestly think a version of this movie with a bigger budget could’ve allowed for a stronger script, cleaner visuals, and a more capable cast. I guarantee that version would easily become a cult classic. Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. C-