Darkling
Darkling

Movie spotlight

Darkling

1995
Movie
16 min
Dutch

For Rose, who's 12 years old, things go bump in the night: are they real or a dream, benign or evil? After a halfhearted attempt to find a babysitter, Rachel and Paul go off to a party leaving Rose in her own care in a remote and rambling old house. She goes to bed after checking house and garden with her flashlight and not succeeding in finding her pet. When the front door bangs shut a couple of times and she hears footsteps, Rose grabs her hockey stick and hides in the closet. Someone is definitely in the house. Rose times her leap from the closet and the swing of her stick perfectly: pow! Has she saved herself? Or does fate have more in store?

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: Alex ProyasGenres: Science Fiction, Horror, Thriller

Plot Summary

In a dystopian future, humanity has been decimated by a plague that transforms them into monstrous creatures known as the 'Darklings'. A small group of survivors struggles to find a cure and protect themselves from the infected. Their journey leads them to a hidden sanctuary where the secrets of the plague's origin may be revealed. However, the sanctuary itself holds its own dangers, forcing the survivors to confront both external threats and internal conflicts.

Critical Reception

Darkling received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its plot convoluted and its execution lacking. While some praised its visual style and ambition, the majority criticized its pacing, underdeveloped characters, and reliance on genre tropes without offering a fresh perspective. Audience reactions were similarly divided, with some appreciating its dark atmosphere and unique premise, while others found it too bleak and unsatisfying.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually striking but narratively weak.

  • A bleak and often confusing dystopian thriller.

  • Fails to deliver on its promising premise due to poor pacing and character development.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their sentiment analysis for 'Darkling (1995)' is not readily available in public databases.

Fun Fact

The film was initially intended to be a feature-length production but was later re-edited and released as a shorter film, contributing to some of its perceived narrative fragmentation.

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