This story is about a desperate situation: a beloved son has been kidnapped and faces execution unless his family can secure a ransom and deliver it on time. There are several other story lines interwoven, and all of them involve tragedy. The filmmaker involves the audience in the emotions that each of the characters is dealing with; we grow to care perhaps too much for the fate of each. I disagree that the ending is predictable. It shocked the hell out of me; I'm a happy ending kind of person, and this one definitely is not! Yet if one is drawn to a compelling story, beautifully executed, then I strongly recommend this film.

"Towards Darkness" really surprised me. I had heard little about it, and bought it online because I was intrigued. It is a tension-filled thriller, that kept me guessing what was going to happen next. America Ferrara does a great job in a performance unlike any other I've seen her do. The main character also does a good job. In terms of the story, it unfolds in a complex structure, with time jumps that reveal both the past and the present. Though during a few moments it ran a little long, I felt that overall the structure really helped add to the tension. It has a lot of twists and turns, and makes you realize how many things can go wrong during a single kidnapping. It also gave a great glimpse into Columbian life. All in all, the film felt authentic and exciting. It has both English and Spanish, and a cool tone. It was brutal when it had to be, and surprisingly tender as well. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like '24' or 'Man on Fire.'

Wow, that's this director's FIRST film? I'm shocked. Felicitades!During the car chase scene I was on my feet yelling "HURRY!!!!!!!" at the top of my lungs. The tension and suspense is sublime. Very nice twist ending. A director once said, "give the audience 1 plus 1 and they'll figure out two" and this director did just that. Except I never saw that ending coming.Devil's mask scene and commentary about "buying your way out of hell" was perfectly placed. The bank manager father is excellent in his role. Nice cemetery scene, and interesting director's comments about the gunfire that actually occurred while making that scene. Backstory of former FBI agent was poignant; his desperation in the chase scene was palpable but not overdone. I'm not sure why the ransom money was left blowing around ... wouldn't the police have made sure it was all tidily collected? It was fascinating to watch the bare-bones "short" (on special features,) and to marvel at the masterpiece that was born OUT of that short.

This movie says it is inspired by true events, but that's as far as the interesting part goes.I don't mind reading a movie (since this film is foreign), but being unfamiliar with the cast along with the constant and frustrating flashbacks, I had to continue to pause to finish reading something and then try to figure out who was talking, plus what character (actor) I was viewing and in what character context.Also, with each scene of seeing the ransom money delivery guy stuck in traffic to meet the noon deadline, then another and another and ....yet another flashback ... and back to the traffic frustration. The flashbacks were too often and they were the kinds that had flash, flash, flash of this and that kind of ratatatat pictures, that my eyeballs became so weary from the strain I had to stop watching this film. It was hard enough to read the movie, but to have my eyes assaulted with flashing flashbacks was just too much. I got the idea, okay? that these were good buddies who drank together and so forth, but enough was enough. This movie lacked cohesiveness with a very limited storyline. As far as I was concerned I didn't care if the kidnap victim was rescued ... was about ready to side with the kidnappers! So, fly this Frisbee disc out the window and don't waste your time.