Dark Skies

Name: Dark Skies
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror
Released: February 22, 2013
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 50
Cast: Annie Thurman, Dakota Goyo, J.K. Simmons, Jake Washburn, Josh Hamilton

2013

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 212 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 212 Ratings

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Dark Skies

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Movie Details & Credits

Dimension Films | Release Date: February 22, 2013 | PG-13

Starring: Annie Thurman, Dakota Goyo, J.K. Simmons, Jake Washburn, Josh Hamilton, Kadan Rockett, Keri Russell, L.J. Benet, Myndy Crist, Rich Hutchman

Summary: A thriller centered on an alien disguised as a human and a boy tagged for abduction.

Director: Scott Stewart

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

Film.com Stephanie Zacharek

Feb 26, 2013

Dark Skies is about the fragility of family, a muted meditation on how precious it is...it does affirm that genre filmmakers who work with their eyes, their hearts and their brains still walk among us. Read full review

Clark Collis

Feb 22, 2013

While there are some scares along the way, Stewart foolishly gives away the whole kit and caboodle plot-wise with an opening quotation from Arthur C. Clarke. Read full review

Ken McIntyre

Mar 25, 2013

As a shocker, Scott Stewart’s (Priest) film is solid, but it’s the thoroughly depressing backdrop that you’ll take away. Read full review

The Playlist Drew Taylor

Feb 22, 2013

Alien abductions are a truly terrifying idea, and building an alien abduction movie on the template of "Poltergeist" is a great idea. But "Poltergeist" had one thing Dark Skies is sorely in need of: follow-through. Read full review

Justin Lowe

Feb 26, 2013

Approaching the first half of the film fairly conventionally, Stewart then misses the opportunity to capitalize on shifting to more full-on genre mode. Read full review

Mark Olsen

Feb 22, 2013

Really the biggest problem with Dark Skies is that Stewart can never quite decide just what story he is telling — a slow-burn horror parable or paranoid invasion flick — or whether to focus on this character or that, instead struggling to string together scares regardless of how they fit together overall. Read full review

Adam Nayman

Feb 21, 2013

The characters are reluctant to believe in the face of overwhelming evidence, mostly because writer-director Scott Stewart doesn’t want to play his hand too early. By the time the movie is over, it’s easy to see why he kept his cards close to his chest. He’s not really holding anything. Read full review

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User Reviews

davidjden

Dec 15, 2014

You'll stumble upon this movie, on a cable movie channel. You'll think, "this looks silly," but you'll keep watching, and soon you can't stop watching because even though (you tell yourself) the plot is silly the acting is so earnest. The movie suddenly ends, and you think, ok, that wasYou'll stumble upon this movie, on a cable movie channel. You'll think, "this looks silly," but you'll keep watching, and soon you can't stop watching because even though (you tell yourself) the plot is silly the acting is so earnest. The movie suddenly ends, and you think, ok, that was mildly disturbing, but still, a silly premise. Yawn, time for bed. But this movie embeds itself into your subconscious. And in six months you realize, it is one of the most terrifying movies you've ever seen. This movie taps into something we can't describe but we know has something to do with why we are afraid of the dark and the abyss. It is literally chilling.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

C3realkillah

Mar 3, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie was awesome had a few good scares and a well acted plot. The aliens in the movie were mysterious and didnt really show much detail besides sithoulettes. The characters werent bad like most scary movie casts. Overall a great movie that people should watch atleast once. The only thing I have to complain about is the bizare ending that has a clever twist but seems rushed. All in all a great scifi psuedo horror flick.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

IRONK1979

Jan 30, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Really creepy atmosphere with solid acting and an interesting swerve as well.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

atabeyordekci

Aug 18, 2021

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. (6)

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This is a sci-fi thriler film, with horror elements and it covers themes including jobs interviews, abductions and blackouts. The film has a pretty obvious spooky, somewhat sinister, ghostly feel to it, with scenes (certainly after the first one or two) mostly in the dark and a chillyThis is a sci-fi thriler film, with horror elements and it covers themes including jobs interviews, abductions and blackouts. The film has a pretty obvious spooky, somewhat sinister, ghostly feel to it, with scenes (certainly after the first one or two) mostly in the dark and a chilly sounding music played in the background to unsettle viewers. However, the lack of a clear plot meant that I didn't really 'buy it', not being sure quite what was supposed to be going on, let alone why. As events slowly develop, it reminded me a bit of films such as Poltergeist or the Paranormal Activity films, as strange things happen within the house, as if targetting the family living there but there is little to see, visually, to scare us, as such, for the most part. There is a pretty strong sense of foreboding but (pardon the pun) I didn't especially like being in the dark as to the specifics of what may be around said next corner.

I did, however, feel a bit frustrated by the attitude shown by the police during the plot - I won't elaborate for fear of providing spoilers. I also found myself feeling suspicious about various family members due to their behaviour and some plot aspects, so I suppose it was relatively good at providing a mysterious and tense atmosphere.

Cast wise, the wife, Lacy Barrett, is played by Keri Russel and the husband, Daniel Barrett, is played by Josh Hamilton, while son Sam Barrett is played by Kadan Rockett and Jesse is played by Dakota Goyo. I don't think I'm familiar with their work - the film did have a bit of a 'b movie' feel to it but thats not to say it was awful, although I don't imagine it had an excessively high budget to play with. The only cast member I recognised from other film cast lists was J.K. Simmons, who plays Edwin Pollard.

Content wise, the film contains sex related content, moderate violence including gun related violence, fist fights and self inflicted injury and some moderately strong language. There are scenes indicating drug use happens but we're not shown in any detail it actually being consumed. Otherwise, as I've mentioned previously, the film has quite a lingering sinister or mysterious tone to it and there are some sudden events which happen, that could fairly easily frighten young, child viewers. This film is very much a supernatural type of horror/thriller - I wouldn't say its especially scary to/for adults but it could pretty easily unsettle young kids. The film has been given a 15 rating due to said content.

The main idea behind this film is far from original and while its decently spooky, its not an especially memorable film. I liked some aspects of it but wasn't impressed by others and I suppose overall I'd have to go for a middle of the road, 3 star rating. I also felt that the ending left the viewer with unanswered questions, which can be quite frustrating for some.

I wouldn't say this is one of the better examples of this type of film but it isn't awful either. Its not bad, its intriguing and is quite tense but it isn't as chilly or sinister as other similar films I've come across before. Its alright, worth a watch, yes but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to encourage people to pay money to see it, so think of this as a decent enough watch if it comes on TV but otherwise not especially worth shelling out much money for. Some people may enjoy this more than others, as it depends on if your keen on this style of film, very much along the lines of Paranormal Activity - indeed the film was made by producers of said Paranormal Activity films, so I believe. If it sounds right up your street then yes I would recommend it but otherwise not so much, so I guess ill opt for undecided as middle ground.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

oliver1h

May 7, 2013

Just boring. Offers nothing new to the genre. Some scenes had tension, but overall falls flat. I hope one day they will make something original in the genre, something that offers a new perspective to the subject. The acting was okay, but the whole movie was dragged out to 97 minutes, yetJust boring. Offers nothing new to the genre. Some scenes had tension, but overall falls flat. I hope one day they will make something original in the genre, something that offers a new perspective to the subject. The acting was okay, but the whole movie was dragged out to 97 minutes, yet everything could be told in 20 minutes. We only see the aliens 5 minutes, and their motivations are totally unclear (they are extraterrestrials so we are not supposed to understand it...but I think their actions should make at least some sense. They can build space ships to travel light years, yet they pranking and scaring humans...) Not recommended.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Hugi09

Aug 5, 2019

Encore un navet. ! Je n’aime pas de toute façon les films avec des aliènes / extraterrestre

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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