Dark Skies (2013)

As the Barrett family's peaceful suburban life is rocked by an escalating series of disturbing events, they come to learn that a terrifying and deadly force is after them, one which may have arrived from beyond the stars.

Director:

Scott Stewart

Writer:

Scott Stewart

Stars:

Keri Russell, Jake Brennan, Josh Hamilton

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Keri Russell	...	Lacy Barrett
Josh Hamilton	...	Daniel Barrett
Dakota Goyo	...	Jesse Barrett
Kadan Rockett	...	Sam Barrett
J.K. Simmons	...	Edwin Pollard
L.J. Benet	...	Kevin Ratner
Rich Hutchman	...	Mike Jessop
Myndy Crist	...	Karen Jessop
Annie Thurman	...	Shelly Jessop
Jake Brennan	...	Bobby Jessop (as Jake Washburn)
Ron Ostrow	...	Richard Klein
Tom Costello	...	Young Father
Marion Kerr	...	Young Mother
Alyvia Alyn Lind	...	Young Daughter
Josh Stamberg	...	Police Officer

Storyline

The Barrett family-mother Lacy, father Daniel, older son Jesse, and younger son Sammy-reside on a quiet suburban street in an unnamed American city. Daniel is currently unemployed, placing the burden of supporting the family on Lacy, who works as a real estate agent. Their two sons enjoy a happy relationship and communicate with each other from their beds via walk-talkie. A number of strange occurrences befall the family. During the night, the contents of the kitchen are rearranged in bizarre configurations. The house alarm is set off when it detects that all entry points were breached simultaneously. Sammy suffers a fit while playing soccer and Lacy is shocked when hundreds of birds suddenly crash into the house. One night, Lacy is awakened by a sound from Sammy's room. When she goes to check on him, through the darkness she sees a figure standing over his bed. She turns on the light to find an empty room. Sammy is found walking away from the house but cannot remember leaving. Lacy, ...

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Plot Keywords:

alien abduction | child's drawing | dead bird | bird flying into window | job interview | 

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Taglines:

Once you've been chosen, you belong to them.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

14A

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was originally pitched as a found footage film.

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Goofs

"A.C.E." is listed after cinematographer David Boyd's name in the opening credits. This stands for American Cinema Editors, of which he is not a member (he also isn't even a film editor). The correct letters to use would have been "A.S.C." for American Society of Cinematographers, of which he is a member.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: Two possibilities exist... Either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying. - Arthur C. Clarke

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Connections

Featured in Great MoVie Mistakes (2013)

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Soundtracks

Days
Written by Jonathan Pierce (as Jonny Pierce) and Connor Hanwick
Performed by The Drums

User Reviews

Effective despite its flaws

An interesting ride would pretty much sum up my experience of this film.

The director did a smart job in the beginning by introducing the subject slowly and gradually in the sense that although we knew something was not quite right with this suburban house, he did not rush to bombard us with any massive amounts of visuals or gory scenes thus leaving us both intrigued and in anticipation mode. That is a technique not commonly used and achieving that takes skill.

Following that, the story runs smoothly as our characters go from surprise, to shock, then disbelief and acceptance. Good choice of adult and children actors, in combination to the gradual built up made this an stimulating watch.

It was the climax that I found to be rather anticlimactic. Nothing innovative, or even new. Whilst it never ceased to be thrilling, let's be clear about that, somehow the overdoing of visuals and certain ambiguities concerning the unfolding of the final moments left me somewhat colder.

Still, it is a highly effective and watchable thriller.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 2013 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Ciel obscur

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,189,166, 24 February 2013

Gross USA:

$17,418,667

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,858,103

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Films, Automatik Entertainment, Blumhouse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1