Watch Out of the Dark
- R
- 2007
- 1 hr 32 min
-
4.7 (4,578)
Out of the Dark is a horror movie from 2014 that stars Julia Stiles, Scott Speedman, and Stephen Rea in the lead roles. It is directed by Lluís Quílez and produced by Participant Media and Dynamo. The movie is set in Colombia and revolves around a family who moves into a haunted house. The movie begins with the Harriman family – Sarah (Julia Stiles), Paul (Scott Speedman) and their daughter, Hannah – relocating to Colombia. Paul is a corporate executive who has been sent to run a paper mill in the town of Santa Clara. They move into a large and lavish villa that was once home to a wealthy family who mysteriously disappeared without a trace. However, as soon as they arrive, strange things start happening around the house.
The Harrimans' daughter, Hannah, starts talking to someone who isn't there, and toys move on their own. Sarah, who is sensitive to paranormal activity, starts to feel a presence in the house. She tries to convince Paul that something is wrong, but he is skeptical and dismisses her fears. He is too busy with the demands of his job and trying to keep the company afloat amidst protests by locals about the hazardous waste generated by the paper mill.
Sarah reaches out to a local historian, Michael (Stephen Rea), who tells her about the dark history of the house. According to him, the villa was once inhabited by a group of monks who practiced black magic and human sacrifice to appease an evil entity. One day, the entity claimed the lives of all the residents and disappeared, leaving behind a curse on the house. Michael warns Sarah that they must leave the house before it's too late, but Paul refuses to listen.
As the story progresses, the supernatural events escalate, and the family starts to unravel. Hannah becomes more and more isolated, and Sarah's mental state deteriorates. Paul struggles to keep the family together while dealing with the mounting pressure at work. The house starts to take a toll on them, and they must confront the evil entity that resides there.
The movie has a distinctive atmosphere, with eerie visuals and sound design that creates a sense of dread. The setting in Colombia adds a unique flavor to the movie, with its colorful streets and local traditions. The performances by the lead actors are solid, with Julia Stiles delivering a compelling portrayal of a woman trapped in a haunted house.
The movie explores themes of family, grief, and the consequences of industrialization. It touches upon the impact of corporate greed on the environment and the communities that depend on it. However, the movie is not preachy and keeps the horror elements at the forefront.
The movie follows the classic haunted house formula, with a few twists and turns that keep the audience engaged. The pacing is slow, but it helps build tension and suspense. The climax of the movie is satisfying and leaves a sense of closure.
Overall, Out of the Dark is a competent horror movie that delivers a few scares and an engaging story. While it doesn't break any new ground in the genre, it succeeds in creating a creepy atmosphere and memorable characters. It's a movie recommended for fans of haunted house movies and those interested in exploring the darker aspects of industrialization.
Out of the Dark is a 2007 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7 and a MetaScore of 33.