Review of Dark Skies (2013) by Orlando O — 29 May 2013

Dark Skies has proved itself by being different from the supernatural horror genre with a new different concept; it does succeed in being creepy except for having a very weak ending in this science fiction horror film.

Lacy Barrett (Keri Russell) and Daniel Barrett (Josh Hamilton) seemed to have it all with the family, living in a nice quiet suburban neighborhood, two kids Jesse (Dakota Goyo) and Sam (Kadan Rockett), and a financial problem with jobs.

Until strange events starts occurring with their family photos mysteriously disappearing, kitchen food and appliances drawing a strange symbol, three different migration of birds attacking their house, and each individual family member blacking out during certain times.

Could someone in the house be psychologically damaged? or could it be strange beings known as "aliens?" The plot this time around was a different take for the horror genre by having a concept of alien adductions theories placed in the movie, or mysterious events occurring to the family.

The movie also has some creepy moments with over the shoulder grabs, characters delusions involving disturbing images, and distinct behavior that tries to be shocking to the audience. Keri Russell plays a mother of two, struggling to keep her family safe, Josh Hamilton plays that realistic husband who tries to find a logical reasoning to every odd event.

Dakota Goyo does great playing a teenager going through a phase of being that annoying arrogant teen, and Kadan Rockett does well as the youngest kid who is vulnerable to these events. However, Scott Stewart does have a little suspense added into his film all thanks to a very slow moving picture as it focuses on a normal family who slowly loses it as one event triggers another.

It does have its slow paced moments that every horror movie follows until it builds up in the climax. The final thing that ruined the movie was having a weak ending as a cheap twist to the story came out of nowhere.

It did fitted well to the story but it really could have been more better as an ending. The script just felt lazy in the ending which could have been so more than having Keri Russell going through a box of one of her kids stuff to only make a shocking discovery on why the climax happened without giving spoilers.

Overall, Dark Skies was an okay film with a new concept, some creepy moments, and a very forgettable ending.