Watch Alone in the Dark

The 2005 horror movie Alone in the Dark, directed by Uwe Boll, is a loose adaptation of a popular video game series of the same name. The film stars Christian Slater as Edward Carnby, a detective and paranormal investigator who is tasked with uncovering the secrets of an ancient civilization that may be linked to strange occurrences in modern-day New York City. The movie begins with a prologue that introduces the audience to the Abkani, the aforementioned ancient civilization that worshipped a powerful and malevolent supernatural force. The Abkani were eventually wiped out by their own creation, and their civilization became a legend. However, Carnby soon discovers that their legacy still lives on in the form of artifacts hidden beneath the city. Carnby is joined in his investigation by anthropologist Aline Cedrac (Tara Reid), who has been studying the Abkani culture and may hold the key to unlocking their secrets. They are also pursued by Commander Richard Burke (Stephen Dorff), a government agent who is determined to keep the true nature of the Abkani under wraps. As Carnby and Aline delve deeper into the mystery of the Abkani, they discover that the supernatural force they worshipped is very real, and very dangerous. They soon find themselves facing off against a horde of demonic creatures that are unleashed upon the city by an evil industrialist (played by veteran character actor Matthew Walker) who hopes to harness the power of the Abkani for his own nefarious purposes. The film takes its cues from classic horror movies like The Thing and The Evil Dead, with a mix of practical and digital effects creating a sense of visceral dread. The demons are suitably creepy and grotesque, and the movie doesn't skimp on gore or violence. However, the pacing can be a bit uneven, with long stretches of exposition and dialogue that drag down the action. Christian Slater delivers a solid performance as Carnby, bringing a wry sense of humor to the character that helps to lighten the mood. Tara Reid is less successful as Aline, with her stilted line readings and wooden expressions making it difficult to take her seriously as a scientist. Stephen Dorff fares better as the villainous Burke, injecting a welcome dose of menace into the proceedings. Overall, Alone in the Dark is a flawed but entertaining horror movie that will appeal to fans of the genre. Its mix of supernatural elements and sci-fi conspiracy theories creates an intriguing world that deserves to be explored further. However, its clunky dialogue and uneven pacing prevent it from being a true classic of the genre.