Existentialist horror film from director Brad Anderson ("Session 9") and writer Anthony Jaswinski exploits the all too understandable human fear of the dark. It stars Hayden Christensen as Luke (a reporter), Thandie Newton as Rosemary (a physical therapist), John Leguizamo as Paul (a movie theatre employee), and newcomer Jacob Latimore as James (a 12 year old son of a barmaid). They're brought together in a bar when mysterious forces overwhelm the city of Detroit, turning daytime into the night time. Also, dark spirits seem to be everywhere, and the human population of the city has mostly disappeared (leaving only piles of clothes behind). These four people must ponder such questions as why this has happened and why it's the four of them that are left, in addition to struggling to survive.Anderson creates such spooky atmosphere and tension that it's a shame that the film doesn't work better than it does. This viewer would agree with others that it does feel like an unfinished script, and it leaves people wanting to know what comes next. Obviously, Jaswinski and Anderson aren't about to really explain anything in this slim story, which in itself is not necessarily a bad thing, but then our four main characters are never fleshed out that much. Therefore, it's hard to maintain much rooting interest in them, despite the best efforts of this cast. Still, you do feel for Rosemary and James to some degree since they don't know the fates of their son and mother (respectively). The film is very well shot in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio by Uta Briesewitz, with the lighting never revealing more than it should, and the visual effects are generally well done. One of the main problems is that the set-up is just too familiar to be that engaging. For one thing, the piles of clothes left behind automatically calls to mind "Night of the Comet" from 26 years previous.Look for Andersons' filmmaking peer Larry Fessenden as a bike messenger.Six out of 10.

Great idea.Terrible film.I am a Sci-fi fan and open to all kind of experiments and ideas.This one is just a waste of 90 minutes.It is like a long long long nightmare without any creativity.The estimated $10,000,000 budget should be using in better place.Not making a film like this one.I feel sorry for the casts and crews.The horse is cute.Chewing apples like that.

This is a nice, simply made movie. It features some well known actors that give plausible, if not effective performances based on the limitations of the script.The movie explores spirituality and the supernatural, and shuns the corniness you find in your more typical slasher flicks. Because it requires thinking and reflection, most fans of the horror genre won't appreciate it. However, if you're looking for something that allows for contemplation of profound ideas and certain philosophies of life and the afterlife, then this is the movie for you.Basically, the movie is centered around this massive darkness that is slowly swallowing a Detroit neighborhood. Why is where the fun begins.Highly recommended for us thinkers out there.

The film is set in Detroit in modern times. Paul handles the technical end of a movie theatre. Luke had a nice job at a television studio. Young John was with his mom. Rosemary was a nurse. One day darkness falls, so to speak. People disappear, with their clothes left behind. The period that the sun shines decreases rapidly.Three days later, almost everyone is gone. The four have found each other, and are trying to save Paul. They have figured out that they need to stay in some sort of light. Batteries that work are getting harder and harder to find. Luke locates a truck that might still work.The darkness comes after them. Will any of them survive?------Scores------Cinematography: 6/10 It's a dark subject. The camera work is pretty good for the trying situation.Sound: 6/10 No particular problems, but the creepy music is not all that creepy.Acting: 5/10 Hayden Christenson, Thandie Newton, and John Leguizamo all gave reasonable performances, but I have seen each of them do better in better films. The script did not give them much interesting to do or to say.Screenplay: 4/10 Short on ideas, useless ending. The references to Roanoke Island did not seem to lead anywhere.