The Dark Hour

You will find absolutely no plot-info in this short comment/praise of director/writer Elio Quiroga's debut feature film. Because one of the cool things about LA HORA FRÍA is when you enter it, you have no idea what kind of movie this is. You think it might be some sort of post-apocalyptic drama, set in an underground facility. Pretty down-to-earth and believable. But as it progresses, you still don't have a clue what it's actually going to turn into. There's a re-occurring, strange supernatural phenomenon. A bit later it feels like you've just entered Romero's DAY OF THE DEAD vs. Cameron's ALIENS, so to speak (more in vibe than actual subject matter). And the real nature of this films pretty much continues to be a question mark right up until the final, fascinating revelation at the end. And don't worry, it's not some twist along the lines of "Oh, it's all not real after all...". A solid film that went beyond my expectations. Try to not read anything else about it, and just watch it. One thing I'll add: It's not straight-up horror but a great mixture of things, that's for sure. Great things, including haunting cinematography and a script soaked with a bleak sense of hopelessness, all accomplished on a modest budget.

This is a great little Sci-fi film. The production isn't that lavish but every Euro was well spent. The acting is top notch; the lighting is excellent with none of that "shot in the car park around back" feel. Clever tools like interjected scenes shot from the camcorder (there aren't that many) and the constant propaganda on the TV help Immerse you in to the world very quickly. The characterisations are strong and develop rapidly.

There are bits of the plot that are unexplained and may or not make sense if you really thought about it, but if you like Sci-fi (real sci-fi not Star Trek) you can't go wrong. The film is dark in essence, but I didn't find it overly depressing or gory, think Screamers or Cube.

This is a survival zombie picture, a quite slow one, with some action only later on. Of course those who liked this picture will probably say to that, that it is a character driven movie, with emphasis on both known and unknown threats, simply showing day to day survival after a big war somewhere in the future. But if it is suppose not to be an action flick, then why did they put in it that one typical zombie extermination scene? Also: why do they talk so much about means of survival and take care in maintaining order in the group to the degree of keeping reports from scavenger expeditions, and yet they have such holes in their defenses that it just beyond logical comprehension? And how did that lonely survivor was able not only to live outside that group for so long, but also at the same time in such vicinity to them, while staying under their radar? Things like that just show in clear sight, how (unfortunately) bad this movie really is

And the big plot twist at the end that reveals "the truth", could be the attempt of trying to save the movie by giving also a sense to the whole situation (and specially that other threat that is not named in this short review). But that twist does exactly the opposite, adding more faulty ideas. Because in the end that other (aside zombies) physical threat just does not make any sense. Was that suppose to be a thriller or horror? Sci-fi or fantasy? Or just a waste of film resources and the time of viewers?

This is surely not a science fiction movie. Unfortunately that is the problem with IMDb genres system: it does not have a "dystopia" or "apocalyptic" category, and as such often shows as a s-f something that has very little or nothing to do with that genre

This is a European low budget picture that makes the mistakes of a Hollywood big budget B-class movies. It slowly but inevitably degrades to a boring disappointment

This is a great little movie, not perfect - the multiple threats are too improbable - but really atmospheric. The ending is a revelation, and makes a lot of sense given earlier details (though there remain unanswered, and probably unanswerable, questions).

I really enjoyed it, but it could be depressing and grim if you are not in the right frame of mind.

"The Dark Hour" deals with a group of people formed by eight survivors of an apocalyptical war , all of them are living into a rotten underground surrounded by strange creatures . They cannot leave the complex and they live in an usual state of vigilance . The misfit bunch is constantly in situation of control , as they are besieged by the contaminated mutants who spread a deadly virus and the Strangers , some invisible as well as menacing beings . The older people attempt the children learn about life by teaching them . They try to rehabilitate children who feel no pain or distress . But the food supplies are running out and they are physically suffering and urgently need medicines and weapons , so that they must leave the secure area . What lurks outside the small area they inhabit, however, is so threatening that they dare not even speak of it . Mankind's fate is sealed . There's a final quote during the end credits: "I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds," from the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, as said by J. Robert Oppenheimer after the first nuclear test detonation in Los Alamos.

Spanish Sci-Fi/horror film set in a dystopian world full of thrills , suspense , chills and creepy twists and turns . ¨La Hora Fria¨ or ¨The cold hour¨ weaves a fantastic story , about a group of eight people searching for whatever thing necessary for his survival . As they live isolated in crumbling installations , the group is finely performed by Silke , Julio Periñan , Omar Muñoz and special mention for veteran Pepo Oliva as a lonely old man . This scary , bizarre film contains tension , thriller drama , mystery , plot twists and shocks , including decent scares with tense terror sequences especially in its final part , in a creepy as well as amazing denouement . A low budget Spanish production with a timeline that spans through a few days , it is a thriller that begins introducing the varied characters and goes on through until a surprising final . ¨La Hora Fria¨ suffers from some sputtering about a quarter of the way in , the sputtering came from an unique scenario, away from spectacular set pieces and toward a very sad story line , one which suffers from some slow-moving scenes and claustrophobic atmosphere . Interesting screenplay by the same director revolving the mental disintegration of a diverse group and the various amazing surprises they find . The motion picture is pretty well , although sometimes deliberate pacing and packs a lot of turns ; however is entertaining for continuous suspense and intriguing as well as shady atmosphere . The picture is thrilling and some moment brilliant, and the players are quite reliable . Ghastly movie builds taut by showing virtually well staged set pieces , appropriately sinister settings , enjoyable soundtrack and gloomy cinematography . Few disagree that the film is professionally mounted , the performances solid , and that it respectfully carries on the tradition and borrowing several elements of Spanish "horror" films . Furthermore , ¨La Hora Fria¨ takes parts here and there from known films such as ¨Omega man¨, ¨Dark city¨ , ¨28 weeks later¨ , ¨day of the dead¨ , among others .

Rousing as well as disturbing musical score by Alfons Conde , a good composer expert on dark atmospheres such as he proved in "Blind Alley" or ¨El Callejon¨ , ¨Viento En Contra¨, ¨Abandoned¨, and ¨Nodo¨or "The Haunting", the latter also directed by Quiroga . Adequate cinematography by Angel Fernández who creates an unique atmosphere , he's Pedro Almodovar's regular cameraman , as he photographed "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" , ¨Matador¨, ¨La Ley Del Deseo¨ . This is a motion picture displaying genuine chills , suspense, mystery and dark atmosphere and twisted finale , being skillfully proceeded by Elio Quiroga and turned out to one of the most unusual Spanish thrilling movies of 2006 and certainly one of the most unsettling . Quiroga is a good director and writer, known for ¨Fotos¨ , ¨Nodo¨ and this his most successful film , ¨La Hora Fria¨ ; he also directed shorts and documentary .