by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What is humanity’s greatest fear? The unknown. That mystery looms over us, causing great fear and onsets of anxiety that permeate so many aspects of our lives. There are people who love adventuring to strange new worlds and meeting strangers, but I don’t feel like that is the default for most of us. What makes the unknown even more terrifying is when it’s unexplainable. That is exactly what director and co-writer Andrew Cumming plays upon with his new film, Out of Darkness.
Does the mission to explain the unexplainable work? Cumming certainly creates an atmosphere rooted in the mysteries of a dark and ominous new land in the Old Stone Age. A prehistoric horror film is a fantastic idea, and it presents plenty of possibilities. The towering black woods of its setting are a frightening backdrop for a simple yet effective horror/thriller. Bleecker Street has the reputation for producing well-crafted pictures, and Out of Darkness is no different. The framing and shot design are crisp and emotive thanks to the great work by cinematographer Ben Fordesman. The sound design is especially effective, as it creates a foreboding landscape that is hard to escape. This lean, 87-minute film delivers in all the technical aspects you would hope for from an arthouse horror.
What about the actual horrors? Cumming is here to deliver a story about a small crew of early humans who seek a new life in a new world. But something goes bump in the night. Well… maybe they shriek and loom instead. The film leverages the thick woods and the dark of night to build suspense and a looming sense of dread. But it is the mystery that makes the film work. Will you eventually find some answers along the way? You sure do… to an extent. Will the reveals be satisfying? This is the most debatable part of the film. They are unexpected, but most importantly reinforce the themes and play on the feelings of the unknown “Other.”
There are plenty of effective elements from a bigger perspective, but how about the characters? These character’s don’t have a lot of depth, and they generally serve the themes and plot instead of being characters who we can deeply connect with. Our protagonist is herself an “Other” in this group, and her purpose is to show that fear. The actors do good work and sell what they need to sell, but the script never seems intent on fleshing them out more than their service to the film.
Does Out of Darkness deliver a horrifying experience worth taking? There are plenty of unnerving and eerie moments that fill up the modest runtime of Cumming’s film. Its high-concept idea is satisfying and engaging. There are some impactful themes that hit at a deeply human level that we all can relate to. If you can get past not connecting deeply with any of the characters, you will have quite a fun time in this dark and unnerving world.
Rating: Liked It
Out of Darkness is currently playing in theaters
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