Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? No.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? OK.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 94 minutes (~1.5 hours)
“Out of the Dark” is a horror film about an American family who relocates to Columbia, not knowing about the terrible secrets that lie buried there. It stars Julia Stiles (Sarah Harriman), Scott Speedman (Paul Harriman), Stephen Rea (Jordan Harriman), Pixie Davies (Hannah Harriman), and Alejandro Furth (Dr Andres Contreras, Jr.). It is rated NC-16.
“Out of the Dark” relies on traditional horror techniques to achieve its scares, which may not sound exciting at first. But rather than some avant garde horror style, the film’s tried and true tactics works to an impressively great effect. It’s a classic example of good film making without any of the incomprehensible pretensions seen in too many films these days.
Highlights
Good use of atmosphere and sound effects
Besides the sudden and piercing screams (which there are plenty of), the film utilises sound and silence to great effect. Even the most innocuous of knocks promise a wealth of fright, and the almost inaudible murmuring sends a distinct sense of unease up your spine. Ultimately, it’s the inability to identify the source and reason for the ostensibly ordinary sounds that augment the terror.
Suitable stakes in the form of Hannah Harriman
From the start, it is established that Hannah, the 7-year-old daughter of the protagonists, is the sweetest and most innocent girl possible. Thus, it’s only fitting that she becomes part of the rising stakes, because of the sheer fact that she is the most guileless of the characters. The growing horror of her fate aligns with the slow discovery of the antagonists’ motivations, making us root for the protagonists in their quest to understand their haunting.
Well developed back story for the supernatural
Although the story starts off with what is the Columbian equivalent of the Seventh Month, the true reasons for the haunting are revealed carefully and deliberately to maximise dramatic impact. In the end, the irony is that human beings can be far more heartless and uncaring than supernatural creatures could ever be.
Letdowns
Awful special effects
The problem with animating liquid is that it only takes the slightest misstep to throw off the authenticity of the image. In this case, the terrible animation just jolts you to the fact that the entire film is fictional and dampens (literally) most of the horror. The superimposition of several buildings are also artificial and awkward, shattering your sense of disbelief at crucial junctures.
Sarah Harriman is a walking stereotype
Sarah Harriman commits almost every grievous sin of a leading lady in horror. She enters dark, deserted, clearly haunted tunnels by herself (repeatedly!), goes far too close to explicitly supernatural objects, and doesn’t share information until it’s too late. You’ll be mentally checking off the next dumb thing that she does, as you sigh in resignation at her oblivious blundering into danger.
Opening scene is cliched and misleading
Don’t be mistaken by the first scene – this is an English movie. Unfortunately, the scene is predictable and hammy, and the cliched-ridden sequence of events might lead you to think that the rest of the film is just as horrible. Thankfully, the rest of the film doesn’t disappoint.
“Out of the Dark” spins a decent, if slightly cheesy yarn, and gives us some good old-fashioned scares. If you’re in the mood for some thrills and frights, then this movie will definitely please you.
“Out of the Dark” opens 21 May, 2015 (Thursday).
This review was also published on Yahoo.
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