The Strange Dark

Built on the back of a masterclass screenplay, every actor pulls their weight in bringing this adventure to life. At around 90 minutes, there's no fat on this movie at all and the rapid back-and-forth dialogue as well as the twists and turns in the plot will keep even the shortest attention span at the edge of their seat. Threading the needle between thriller, sci-fi, and comedy, this is a wild ride for all types of movie lovers. Watch it alone at 3am or with a big group of friends and don't forget to bring your shades for the bright future this movie surely has.

This story reads as science fiction but it would be more accurate to describe as suspense with a science fiction Macguffin. It is full of surprising characters and twists, all the more astonishing for taking place in an ordinary looking home.

Not surprisingly the best roles go to the villains played by a creepy Carmen Borla and and alternatively hilarious and scary Bates Wilder.

The Strange Dark is a rare blend of heart and imagination. It's an edgy, inventive take on sci-fi with a strong emotional core. At its heart, it's a story about a family that's flawed, funny, and deeply human. The narrative takes risks, yet always circles back to something warm and profoundly moving. By the end, what lingers is the tenderness of its resolution... a reminder that even in the strangest circumstances and with a key that unlocks mysteries of the universe, love and family remain paramount.

Tightly written, perfectly cast, beautifully shot thriller. I saw this at a film festival where most of the films could do with some heavy editing. You could not take one minute out of this piece. Heard from the director at the Q&A and I'm amazed how much he accomplished with a relatively small budget. "Sci Fi/Thriller" is not my usual cup of tea but this is a pretty perfect little film. In a time when "story" is almost non-existent, this film shows that there are still well-written movies out there.

Set in one house with seven characters, The Strange Dark makes the most of its 84-minute runtime with an action-packed, heartfelt sci-fi mystery that expertly unravels through its non-linear storytelling. All lead performances are fantastic, with Nili Bassman's Susan and Caleb Scott's Edgar at the heart of the story. The director, Chris Messineo, was a film school teacher for over a decade, and his directing here shows that although it's a feature-length debut, he is still an expert at controlling a scene and a set. Another aspect of The Strange Dark that shines is the comedy. While the film is a thriller first, it is still exceptionally funny due to its comic relief characters of Frank, The Kid, and Cole. The entire theater fell in love with these characters and quoted some of their lines on the way out. The film is paced perfectly between its tenseness, comedy, and touching moments involving Susan, Edgar, and their daughter Taylor. It is truly a feat of filmmaking, and I implore you to see The Strange Dark if it ever plays at a festival near you.