Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent but effective, relevant Stone Age horror/drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Out of Darkness
What's the Story?
In OUT OF DARKNESS, it's 45,000 years before the present day. A band of six travelers led by Adem (Chuku Modu) ventures to a new land to try to start afresh. The others in the group include Adem's pregnant partner, Ave (Iola Evans); his child, Heron (Luna Mwezi); his younger brother, Geirr (Kit Young); an adviser, Odal (Arno Lüning); and a "stray," Beyah (Safia Oakley-Green). Unfortunately, they find that their new home is barren, incapable of growing crops and seemingly free of game. While huddling around a fire, something comes from the darkness and snatches Heron away. The rest of the group conduct a search, but they don't succeed and end up lost in the woods. Soon more of them begin to disappear. What is the thing that seems to be preying upon them?
Is It Any Good?
Deeply atmospheric and thoughtful, this drama/horror movie effectively evokes its 45,000-year-old world, hardscrabble and bone-chilling, and yet offers a distinctly modern life lesson. Written by Ruth Greenberg in an entirely fictional language (translated with English subtitles for U.S. release), Out of Darkness can be a harsh viewing experience. The characters are riddled with hunger, and their exchanges are all tense and accusing. Due to this, we never get much depth from the six main characters, who, for every second of the movie's 87 minutes, are razor-focused on survival. And horror fans may find the "reveal" somewhat disappointing, but the entire point of this journey is to remind us that we're all human, including the unknown "other" that, even today, so many assume are threats or enemies. Out of Darkness is a shocking, primal reminder of our basic connections with one another, connections that make us more similar than different.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Out of Darkness's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What was your take on the movie's ending? How would you describe its major theme?
What do you think would have happened if Heron and Beyah had stayed with the Neanderthal family?
Why are people so often frightened of the unknown?
How would you feel about living in this time? What would you miss the most?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 9, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : February 27, 2024
- Cast : Chuku Modu , Kit Young , Safia Oakley-Green
- Director : Andrew Cumming
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Bleecker Street Media
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : History
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and some grisly images
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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