Darkness Wakes

A fast-paced, over-the-top, blood-and-guts thriller, Waggoner's latest turns the world of deviant sex clubs into a graphic horror-show. When 45-year-old family man Aaron Rittinger stumbles onto a secret sex club, hidden away in his small Ohio town, he's intrigued; when a sexy neighbor invites him to join, his curiosity gets the best of him. Soon, however, he discovers that the club isn't just for kinky sex—it's for worshipping a demon called the Overshadow, who gives his followers incomparable pleasure in exchange for human sacrifice. As Aaron uncovers the secrets of the club, he becomes torn between current and former members, dragging himself and his family deeper into danger. Waggoner establishes a creepy vibe early and carries the suspense throughout, but his favorite scare technique—the gross-out—is not for the weak-stomached, and his characters, almost all of whom are creepy, ultra-horny and a bit crazy, don't elicit much sympathy. It's a satisfying if unmemorable ride for those who like their horror bloody, their heroes tarnished and their action just this side of unbelievable. (Dec.)