Introduction
“Out of Darkness” is a movie having a survival horror theme which is set to premiere on the 2024, a date which is still a bit far off. Directed by Andrew Cumming and written by Ruth Greenberg, the movie explores the bleak and prehistoric narrative set 45,000 years back. It portrays the life of a small group of humans navigating through the hardships of early civilization while struggling to settle in a new land. The thrilling feature of the movie is that Out of Darkness is told entirely “in a fictional language”, adding to the uniqueness of the storyline.
Out of Darkness is a film that does not rely on the typical horror movie tropes of excessive blood, intense violence, or even jump scares. Instead, the film builds the horror component slowly while easing viewers into a deeply emotional and philosophical story. The story tackles the sense of fear we face, the trust we put in one another, and the human survival mechanism to do everything possible to stay alive.
Synopsis
The storyline of the film starts to unfold when the viewers set their eyes on six prehistoric humans arriving on the barren, windswept shoreline on a canoe. Along the group, they seek a new land. An untouched area in which they can live and thrive. Leading the group is a man named Adem who possess traits of a commanding and practical leader. Along with him is his partner Ave who is pregnant, his elder teenage son Heron, his younger brother Geirr, an outcast named Beyah, and an elderly tribal storyteller named Odal.
The group’s hope is rapidly dashed by the grim realities of their surroundings. Widespread famine, lack of shelter, and crushing loneliness is all that awaits them. Furthermore, something—or someone—begins stalking them the further they go into the land. They are also hostile. Along with the need to relieve fear of invisible spirits or monsters, the group’s shared belief is slowly driving them insane.
When Heron vanishes that night, anxiety is triggered. This impacts the group’s belief that they are being hunted by ghastly beings that dwell in the dark. Desperation causes them to turn on each other, leading to the rampant spread of superstition. Beyah is especially blamed as she is viewed as a curse by some and a possible leader by others.
The group shatters as the trust is destroyed and death is brought. This leads to the ultimate revelation of horror – not a supernatural beast, but a group of humans just like them. These attackers, disguised under masks and mud to fear to appear as beasts, are in fact survivors who have learned to fear the monsters they have become.
After a fierce battle, the last survivors, Beyah and Heron, are able to escape into the cave. But the message is clear: the true enemy was never a creature hiding and waiting to attack. It was the fear of the void and the human nature to obliterate anything that we deem unfamiliar.
Characters
Adem – The group’s leader. He is fit and persistent, but in a world where there is only chaos, his unyielding belief in order is a dangerously heavy yoke that’s bound to break. His leadership becomes a burden he cannot carry.
Ave – Adem’s pregnant partner. She brings kindness through her quiet strength and vulnerability to the group.
Heron – The son of Adem. He is curious and youthful, which, in the midst of violence, is able to embody innocence and the hint to the future.
Geirr – The brother of Adem. He is hothead, and his reckless nature is frighteningly dangerous when there is chaos.
Beyah – The group’s outsider. Resourceful, untrusted, and emotionally distant, she is the heart and hero of the story.
Odal – The group’s elder. He reminds the others of ancient fears and spiritual beliefs and embodies the myth and superstition.
Every character fulfills a role in the group’s dynamic while responding to fear, grief, and the impact of pressing circumstances.
Language and Its Style
An invented language called “Tola” serves as one of the unique features within the film as it is wholly used and performed by the characters. For the film itself, “Tola” serves as the constructed language. While there is modern translation provided, much of the communication is done through gestures, inflection, and emotion.
This sense of immersion adds a layer of modern survival horror. This helps strip away contemporary features, giving a sense of immersion through understanding in a world without dialogue.
The cinematography is striking—the cold, vast, and beautiful landscapes of the Scottish Highlands evoke both a sense of beauty and a visceral dread. The natural lighting in shadowy, fire-lit forests amplify the sense of dread, fear, and isolation.
The sound of the film is sparse and unsettling, with distant animal calls, whispered breaths, and the creaking of trees replacing the absence of music. Silence becomes one of the most powerful tools within the film’s horror arsenal.
Examined Themes
Fear of the Unknown
The film explores the primal nature of fear. The group panic is not derived from a monster or a tangible threat, rather, a deep sense of the unknown. The fear in question creates a catalyst that manifests itself through paranoia, violence, and self destruction.
Survival vs Morality
Characters confront life-or-death choices and must decide between helping each other or saving themselves. This struggle between morals and survival action is the crux of the story.
Humanity as the Real Villain
The shock is that the “monsters” pursuing the party are other people. This alters the narrative completely. It supports the idea that humanity is, was, and will always be its own greatest enemy. The real evil is not some fictional beast, but rather the primal urge to dominate and destroy.
Isolation and Relationships
Beyah, the odd one out, is the sole survivor. Isolation gives her strength. However, her tender care for Heron demonstrates that brief human connections, no matter how fleeting, are crucial.
Reception
The film has received critical acclaim for its originality, depth, atmosphere, and emotional components. Critics noted the film’s slow, methodical pacing along with its stark and minimalist style of horror was refreshing. The cast received praise for the raw emotion conveyed without dialogue, especially Safia Oakley-Green as Beyah.
Some viewers found the pacing and abstract horror approach off-putting, especially when compared to other horror films. However, for those that appreciate tone, theme, and character over action, Out of Darkness becomes a haunting and unforgettable watch.
Conclusion
Out of Darkness is a sickening and lyrical investigation of fear, survival, and horror’s very essence. The film strips away language, civilization, and modern comforts, exposing viewers to humanity’s primal core. It is a raw, haunting meditation on what happens when trust is obliterated and loss engulfs a world of civilization.
Alongside a haunting and unforgettable message, and strong performances, Out of Darkness boasts a powerful message that cements it as one of the most unique and intellectually sophisticated horror films of the year. It is a film that, for those who are willing to embrace the silence, reveals the profound reality of the human condition: a scream that reverberates from not the world around us, but from our very core.
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