Review of Dark Skies (2013) by Luke B — 21 Jun 2013

At times a terrifying and unnerving film with great set pieces, but ultimately let down by a number of stupid characters and obvious plot twists. Dark Skies sees a family steadily driven apart by paranormal activity in their home, only this isn't ghostly goings on, and this isn't spooks, it's aliens.

This is the main problem with the film. From the beginning, thanks to an Arthur C. Clarke quote, it is revealed that aliens are the cause of what's going on. However, the film itself seems to want to keep that a secret, as though tricking you into thinking you are watching yet another cliched haunted house picture.

My guess is that marketing and producers were scared people wouldn't flock to see yet another haunting picture, and so show their cards from the outset. This is a damn shame, as it would have been a shocking twist.

Some of the events are genuinely creepy. I'm terrified of the idea of aliens, but how they're presented here is really freakish. With the mystery of the film ruined from the outset, you just have to enjoy the spooky goings on, and there are a number of clever twists such as expected dream sequences turning out to be reality after all.

Still, it's hampered by annoying family members that live in denial despite the fact that all evidence points to the contrary. J.K. Simmons pops up in a thankless expository role, but Russell and the child actors do really well at capturing the idea of a fearful family.

Fills its running time nicely, but could have been so much more.