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The Darkest Light

Play trailer 1:38 Poster for The Darkest Light 2026 1h 17m Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
When a beloved musical icon is posthumously accused of decades of sexual abuse of women and girls, his daughter Neshama embarks on a wrenching journey to reconcile the father she thought she knew with the predator he turned out to be. As survivors confront his legacy, the community built around his music and charisma is forced to confront its own silence, denial and complicity.

Critics Reviews

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Nora Lee Mandel Maven's Nest Oct 7, 2026
8/10
Assisted through his daughter’s archives, work, and her coming to terms over years, documentary sensitively balances unusual biography of "Singing Rabbi" Shlomo Carlebach for him and his religious music’s very complicated legacy with abuse victims. Go to Full Review
Jonita Davis The Black Cape (Medium) Oct 6, 2026
Every community these days is dealing with some degree of discovery of predators in their beloved histories. In The Darkest Light, the Jewish community's #MeToo moment is laid bare. It is done so by the daughter of the man behind the allegations. Go to Full Review
Norman Gidney MUSE TV Sep 30, 2026
7/10
One of those documentaries that will haunt you long after it’s over. Go to Full Review
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Cast & Crew

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Simon Mendes

Director

Angela Buchdahl

Self

Asher Lovy

Self

Dari Carlebach

Self

Donna Zerner

Self

Neila Carlebach

Self
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The Darkest Light

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The Darkest Light

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a beloved musical icon is posthumously accused of decades of sexual abuse of women and girls, his daughter Neshama embarks on a wrenching journey to reconcile the father she thought she knew with the predator he turned out to be. As survivors confront his legacy, the community built around his music and charisma is forced to confront its own silence, denial and complicity.
Director
Simon Mendes
Producer
Simon Mendes, Heidi Reinberg
Screenwriter
Aimee Lyde
Production Co
Atlantic Beach Films
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 17m
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