Out of Darkness Movie Review

In Out of Darkness, a prehistoric family is chased by a ruthless creature. This atmospheric thriller is worth watching, even if it doesn’t reach its full potential in the shadows. Although this film is set 45,000 years before his, you wouldn’t be wrong if this film bears any resemblance to his 2022 film Prey. It’s essentially a play, just without the Predator. Director Andrew Cumming sets the stage by sending his motley crew (who of course don’t speak a lick of English) into a dark, claustrophobic environment entirely outdoors. Men, women and children are kidnapped and lost in the darkness, their cries echoing through the night. At first glance, this creature seems like a terrifying monster, lurking out of sight, swallowed up by fog and devastation. Atmosphere is Out of Darkness’ biggest selling point. Cumming gets to the heart of it, turning the Scottish Highlands into a desolate battlefield. The cast (many of whom I don’t recognize) is also solid. All in all, it feels like you’re in another millennium (I liked Prey, but one of its weaknesses was that some of the characters acted a little too “modern” ). However, what is outside the darkness will never come to light. All the ingredients are there, but the film doesn’t achieve the tension that Cumming and his team were aiming for. The pulsating score tries to hide the lack of genuine sustained thrills, but you can see through the patchwork.