Out of Darkness (2022)

February 19, 2024 11:46 AM

[TRAILER] A small boat reaches the shores of a raw and desolate landscape. A group of six have struggled across the narrow sea to find a new home. They are starving, desperate, and living 45,000 years ago. First they must find shelter, and they strike out across the tundra wastes towards the distant mountains that promise the abundant caves they need to survive. But when night falls, anticipation turns to fear and doubt as they realize they are not alone.

Starring Safia Oakley-Green, Chuku Modu, Kit Young, Iola Evans, Luna Mwezi, Arno Luening.

Directed by Andrew Cumming. Screenplay by Ruth Greenberg. Produced by Oliver Kassman, Wendy Griffin. Cinematography by Ben Fordesman. Edited by Paolo Pandolpho. Music by Adam Janota Bzowski. The film is entirely in an artificial language named Tola, invented by Daniel Andersson and based on Arabic and Basque.

83% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes

Now playing in US theaters. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (3 comments total)

This went in a better and more interesting direction than I expected. It has a slow start and a capital "M" moral but it was well-made. Looks especially great.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:40 PM on February 19 [1 favorite]

An interesting bit from discussing this with my kid is that I noted it had a slow start but got markedly better when Beyah settled in as the lead. I said I would have been on board earlier if we'd had more clear hints that she was actually the most interesting and capable.

My kid pointed out that being plopped into the boat group's world on their terms and seeing it fall apart until Beyah was who remained would not have worked if we'd given her some cool moments early on to get us on her side, Save the Cat style.

And you know... He's 100% right.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:38 PM on February 19

The Conversation: I’m an expert on human origins – here’s how this stone age thriller surprised me
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:27 AM on February 23