Out of the Dark (2014)

Sick Product of a Sick System

Powerful

In truth, any opportunity to see the film on the big screen is welcome.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I think that some movie creators really believe that if they put the word "dark" in the title it'll automatically be scary.This was one very generic ghost story. Let's look at the typical ghost story formula (the rest MAY be considered a spoiler so avert thy eyes now if you don't want this movie to potentially be ruined).1.) someone killed in an unjust manner.2.) unjustly killed has a ghost that terrorizes.3.) character being terrorized finds out the history/true story behind the unjust death.4.) ghost is placated or subdued due to the discovery.The jump scares, spooky music and ominous setting is all there for setting the mood. If this is your first ghost movie go-round then maybe you were impressed; as for me, SMH.

Out of the Dark is a North American-Colombian-Spanish co- production with some moderately famous actors in order to make it more attractive for an international market. But in fact, it's an awful horror film made with a frustrating listlessness, hoping the beautiful natural settings and regional folklore to convince us we are watching something new-flanged, or at least, entertaining. Needless to say, it wasn't like that. The excessive number of clichés and bland characters are what mainly extinguish any tension the film could have generated, and induce to the boredom while we witness tedious supernatural manifestations such as dark silhouettes, ghostly prints and doors which are opened and closed by themselves. All that, of course, is accompanied by exaggerated musical stresses to simulate the fact that the story is advancing. The supernatural part of the screenplay includes the typical vindictive ghosts who want to rectify an offense from the past; and I don't think revealing that is a SPOILER, because it's shown to us during the first minutes in a prologue which already establishes the insipid tone of the film and the lameness of the "shocks" with which it pretends to horrify us. As for the actors, they do whatever they can in their badly written roles; they were obviously hired only for the poster to include some semi- famous names. On the other hand, I can't blame Julia Stiles, Scott Speedman and Stephen Rea for accepting a paid vacation in a beautiful Colombian region. In conclusion, Out of the Dark is a pathetic horror film and an authentic waste of time. The fact that this piece of junk was released on cinemas at my country truly made me angry. It's like the film industry has lost any interest in satisfying the audience. That's the only thing which scared me while I was watching Out of the Dark.

As a Horror fan, the ghost-story and haunting sub-genre has always been my favourite. As a general cinema fan, Julia Stiles has been one of my favourite actresses since 10 Things I hate About You. And then we have the privilege of a child actress taking her first steps in what might become a long and successful career! What could possibly go wrong? The answer is everything else.Yes, the acting is decent, though I would really like to see Stiles starring as a main character in a Horror film. When your favourite actors aren't usually taking part in films from your favourite genre, it's frustrating at times. Yes, little Pixie Davies is everything a passive child victim is cut out to be in such films - innocent, adorable and helpless. Here ends anything really positive I have to say.While I can't think of an example for this story being used before, it doesn't feel original or innovative, and doesn't really keep you on edge guessing till the end. The ghosts are simply not scary. The "jump scares" are predictable and ineffective, and that's really saying something, since as we all know well thought off and finely designed jump=scares work even when you're expecting them (how could a film mess up the cheapest horror trick of the 21st century?). I actually found myself bored towards the second half of the film. Me? Bored in a horror film? Never happens. Honestly. Never.I can't stress how much I wanted to be able to give a good review. Getting Julia Stiles in a ghost-story was a dream come true. But the dream turned into a nightmare, and not in a good horror kind of way. I'm painfully disappointed. Then again, my disappointment is probably due to my high expectations. If you watch this with no expectations whatsoever - you will probably enjoy it. It's good for a few scares, especially for people who aren't usual horror viewers. But personally and subjectively - ugh, what a let down...

Actually you are not so much in the dark during the movie (metaphorically speaking, literally there is quite some darkness here). But the clichés and the direction the movie takes is so obvious, that some might feel insulted by the movie. Still the acting is decent enough and the story flows in the right direction.Kids in danger/peril is always something that will get peoples attention, especially under the circumstances it happens here. The decisions people make are not always great, but we have seen characters behave worse in other horror movies. Plus the little girl is really sweet and it will be tough not to like her for people. A thing needed, otherwise the movie wouldn't work at all ...