Film & TV

Blu-ray/DVD Review: Out of the Dark

A family move into a South American mansion only to find to group of disfigured children haunt their dreams, trapping them in a sinister embrace.

 

Out-of-the-DarkMoving to South America to take over her father’s paper factory, Sarah (Julia Stiles) looks forward to her new life.

Accompanied by husband Paul (Scott Speedman) and their daughter Hannah (Pixie Davies), they move into a beautiful old mansion. Little do they know of the dark secrets lying within as a group of disfigured children haunt their dreams.

Soon they discover a deadly familial connection ensuring their days are cursed. When Hannah goes missing, vengeance and horror soon envelop the family in a sinister embrace.

Directed with some flair by Lluis Quilez, Out of the Dark provides a decently horrific diversion. Generally free of bloody gore, it relies on creepy atmosphere to conjure suspense.

It does it well due to good acting and a reasonably diverting story. Whilst it isn’t the best horror movie made recently, it at least makes an effort to send chills down viewer’s spines. Stiles helps immeasurably in this regard with her determined heroine easy to empathise with. Speedman provides capable support even if perhaps more could have been done to flesh out other characters.

Making Out of the Dark interesting is the script’s back-story. Delving into South American legends regarding the ghostly children, it brings a sense of realism. Knowing something could be true only makes the ongoing scares more potent – a wise lesson Out of the Dark learns.

Quilez utilises the locales very well, bringing some colour and vitality amidst the gloomy proceedings. Although the short run-time hurts the film’s narrative, there’s enough to see some of the plot’s potential was effectively realised.

Fans of old dark house thrillers should find ghoulish enjoyment with Out of the Dark. It’s a little predictable but tries to generate genuine terror rather than descend into a garish bloodbath. Out of the Dark is a fine time-waster for those eager to delve into the evil that some people do.

Reviewed by Patrick Moore
Twitter: @PatrickMoore14

Rating out of 10: 6

Out of the Dark releases on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital on 24 June 2015

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