Dark Moon Rising (2009)
A cursed drifter's arrival turns small-town romance into werewolf-fueled nightmare in this R-rated horror from director Dana Mennie.
Dark Moon Rising - Movie Information
- Original Title: Dark Moon Rising
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Dana Mennie
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 4m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 10, 2009 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: Wolf Moon (US), Възходът на Черната луна (BG), Lua Negra (BR), Temný měsíc vychází (CZ)
- Production Companies: Flick Investments Group, Lightning Strikes Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Dark Moon Rising - Plot
Small-town girl meets mysterious drifter boy, they fall in love. Only in this case, the boy brings with him a family curse and unimaginable horror that rains hell upon the small town
Dark Moon Rising - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the horror unfold:
Love is a six letter word - "HORROR"
Where to Watch Dark Moon Rising
Looking for where to watch Dark Moon Rising?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Dark Moon Rising - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Dana Mennie
Main Cast
- Max Ryan
- María Conchita Alonso
- Chris Mulkey
- Chris Divecchio
- Ginny Weirick
- Sid Haig
- Billy Drago
- Rikki Gagne
- Lin Shaye
- Arielle Vandenberg
Writers
- Ian Cook
- Dana Mennie
Producers
- Dana Mennie
- Lance H. Robbins
- Richard Cueto
Dark Moon Rising - FAQs
Is Dark Moon Rising based on a true story?
No, Dark Moon Rising is not based on a true story. It's an original horror screenplay by Ian Cook and Dana Mennie that blends small-town romance with werewolf mythology and a family curse. The story is entirely fictional, though it draws on classic werewolf folklore and genre traditions.
Is Dark Moon Rising a werewolf movie?
Yes, Dark Moon Rising is firmly rooted in werewolf horror. The film centers on a mysterious drifter who carries a hereditary curse tied to werewolf transformation. When he falls for a small-town girl, the curse follows him — and the results are bloody and terrifying for everyone around them.
Who are the main actors in Dark Moon Rising?
The cast features Max Ryan as the cursed drifter Bender, María Conchita Alonso as Sheriff Sam Pantoja, and Ginny Weirick as Amy, the small-town girl at the heart of the story. Horror veterans Sid Haig, Billy Drago, and Lin Shaye also appear in memorable supporting roles.
What is Dark Moon Rising about?
A young woman in a quiet small town falls for a brooding, mysterious drifter — but romance quickly gives way to dread when his dark family curse surfaces. The horror that follows tears through the community, blending creature-feature thrills with a doomed love story at its core.
What is the age rating for Dark Moon Rising?
Dark Moon Rising is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's horror content, including creature violence, gore, and mature themes. It is not recommended for younger audiences and is intended for adult viewers comfortable with intense horror material.
How long is Dark Moon Rising?
Dark Moon Rising runs for 2 hours and 4 minutes (124 minutes). That's a fairly generous runtime for an independent horror film, giving the story room to develop its characters and build tension before the creature-fueled chaos takes over in the latter half.
What are some movies similar to Dark Moon Rising?
If you enjoyed Dark Moon Rising, you might also like Howl (2015), The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020), Brightburn (2019), The Cursed (2021), and Dark Harvest (2023). These films share similar themes of rural dread, creature horror, and communities torn apart by supernatural forces.
When was Dark Moon Rising released?
Dark Moon Rising was released on October 10, 2009, in the United States — a fitting autumn release for a werewolf horror film. It was also distributed under the alternative title Wolf Moon in some US markets, and has been released under different titles in several other countries.
More About Dark Moon Rising
Explore further details about Dark Moon Rising on these trusted resources: