The stone-age might be one of the most underutilized eras in film, and this goes all-out in its commitment to a level of authenticity. The look is unique with some absolutely fantastic design and production. Filming in the fog-shrouded atmosphere and forests of the Scottish highlands helping with the sense of scale, awe and disquiet. The attention to detail is astounding, from the costuming to the spoken ‘proto-language’ the characters use. The horror elements can be genuinely chilling, especially in the first half of the film. There is a decent amount of gore, and some very tense sequences throughout. The reveal is expected, and does raise some questions on how certain events played out, but overall well handled. The characters are well drawn and defined, even as archetypes, and their wants, needs and desires are empathetic and sympathetic. The struggles they endure are certainly nothing the modern world will ever know, but their motivations resonate quite strongly. The film even goes for a moral commentary about contrasting ideologies and frameworks, telling a very human tale that spans the ages. Overall, a fantastic effort uniquely told, and despite some questionable moments and a bit over-handedness in its coda, this film is certainly worth your watch.
Out of Darkness (2024)