Alexandra Daddario has never been a stranger to the spotlight. But in early January 2026, a viral bikini photo of the actress unexpectedly reignited interest in a chapter of her career that many fans and critics had overlooked: her starring role in the 2019 cult horror thriller We Summon the Darkness. As the image circulated across social media, admiration for Daddario’s confidence and screen presence quickly turned into a wave of rediscovery for the film—now streaming for free on Tubi and Plex—and for good reason.
We Summon the Darkness is set in late 1980s Indiana, a time and place thick with Reagan-era anxieties and the infamous ‘Satanic panic.’ The movie’s premise is deceptively simple: three young women, all heavy metal fans, meet three men at a local concert. What starts as a night of carefree rebellion soon spirals into a deadly game, as viewers learn the women are members of a violent religious cult called the Daughters of the Dawn—a group already responsible for 18 grisly deaths. The men, lured by the promise of fun, are forced to rely on wit and luck to survive the night.
According to Giant Freakin Robot and IBTimes, Alexandra Daddario’s performance anchors the film. She brings a mix of charm and menace to her role, keeping the audience guessing at every turn. Her character, both a product and a driver of the era’s hysteria, is the beating heart of the film’s escalating tension. Daddario’s portrayal is layered—she’s alluring and unpredictable, seduced by the world she inhabits even as she manipulates it to terrifying effect. Critics and fans alike have praised her for subverting expectations, especially given her mainstream image from earlier roles in Percy Jackson, Texas Chainsaw 3D, and HBO’s True Detective.
But Daddario isn’t the only standout. The supporting cast brings grit and energy: Maddie Hasson and Amy Forsyth complete the trio of formidable women, each navigating the fine line between rebellion and fanaticism. Keean Johnson, best known for Alita: Battle Angel, grounds the group of targeted men, while Johnny Knoxville delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance as the cult’s unhinged leader. Knoxville, famous for his comedic work in Jackass, here adds both humor and real menace, elevating the cult’s threat from caricature to something disturbingly plausible.
The film’s clever script and sharp humor have not gone unnoticed. With a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, We Summon the Darkness has been recognized for its affectionate nods to horror classics while subverting the genre’s usual tropes. Instead of relying on predictable scares or tired clichés, the movie uses wit and social commentary to probe deeper into the decade’s anxieties. As IBTimes notes, the interplay between heavy metal culture and religious paranoia is central to the story. The cult’s motives and methods mirror the real-world fears that swept across America during the Satanic panic, when music and youth culture were often scapegoated for society’s ills.
The setting itself becomes a character in the film. Everything from the costumes to the soundtrack is meticulously chosen, immersing viewers in a world where rebellion and dread go hand in hand. The 1980s backdrop isn’t just window dressing—it’s fundamental to understanding the characters’ motivations and the broader cultural tensions at play. The film’s use of religion is especially clever, creating a story that could only exist in the charged atmosphere of that era.
One of the film’s most surprising twists is its inversion of horror conventions. As el-balad.com points out, Daddario and her companions are the hunters rather than the prey, flipping the script on what audiences might expect from a group of young women in a horror movie. This dynamic shift keeps viewers on their toes and injects fresh energy into familiar territory. The movie blends horror with dark humor and social commentary, making it as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
The renewed interest in We Summon the Darkness comes at a time when Daddario’s career is as varied as ever. She’s set to appear in the biographical drama Hershey and will reprise her role in the next season of Mayfair Witches in 2026. Yet fans and critics argue that her performance in this cult thriller remains one of her boldest, precisely because it challenged expectations at a time when she was best known for high-profile studio work. According to IBTimes, "Her performance stands out for its control and menace, showing a willingness to subvert expectations tied to her more mainstream image."
Streaming platforms have played a crucial role in the film’s resurgence. As more viewers discover We Summon the Darkness through Tubi and Plex, its cult status continues to grow. The film’s themes of manipulation, belief, and moral panic feel just as relevant today as they did in the 1980s, resonating with contemporary audiences who see echoes of those anxieties in today’s world. The chemistry between the cast, especially Daddario and Knoxville, keeps viewers invested even as the plot twists and turns.
Critical reception has emphasized the film’s self-awareness and subversive approach. As Giant Freakin Robot wrote, "Daddario brings depth to a genre often dismissed as formulaic. Her performance in We Summon the Darkness is a reminder that horror, at its best, is about more than just scares—it’s about reflecting society’s fears and desires back at itself." The movie’s combination of nostalgia, sharp storytelling, and strong performances has allowed it to find a second life, thanks in part to the ever-shifting currents of online fandom and streaming trends.
For horror enthusiasts and newcomers alike, We Summon the Darkness stands as a smart, self-aware entry in modern horror. It’s not just a story about cults and killers; it’s a meditation on an era when music, religion, and youth culture collided in unexpected ways. Daddario’s performance is a testament to the power of taking risks, both for actors and filmmakers, and proves that sometimes, the most overlooked films are the ones most worth revisiting.
As the viral moment fades, what remains is a renewed appreciation for a film that dares to be different—and for an actor willing to push the boundaries of her craft. We Summon the Darkness may have started as a cult thriller, but it’s now firmly established as a must-watch for anyone interested in the evolution of horror and the enduring allure of a well-told story.
