Out of the Dark

Out of the Dark. A 2024 psychological horror film directed by Lluís Quílez from a screenplay by Javier Gullón. The international co-production between Spain and the United States features an ensemble cast including Stephen Rea, Julia Stiles, Scott Speedman, and Pixie Davies. It premiered at the Sitges Film Festival before a wider release on the Shudder streaming service.

Plot summary

The narrative follows an American family who relocate to a remote village in the Colombian Amazon rainforest to take over a failing paper mill. The parents, portrayed by Scott Speedman and Julia Stiles, and their young daughter, played by Pixie Davies, soon encounter hostile local workers and a foreboding community led by the mill's former owner, Stephen Rea's character. The family's situation deteriorates as they experience terrifying supernatural phenomena tied to the surrounding jungle, forcing them to confront a primordial evil that exploits their deepest fears. The climax revolves around a desperate struggle for survival against both human and inhuman threats within the oppressive, labyrinthine facility.

Production and development

The project was developed by Barcelona-based Nostromo Pictures, with Adrián Guerra and Núria Valls serving as producers. Director Lluís Quílez, known for his work on the series The Head, collaborated with screenwriter Javier Gullón, whose previous credits include Enemy directed by Denis Villeneuve. Principal photography took place in Barcelona and surrounding areas of Catalonia, which were meticulously designed to double for the Amazon setting. The cinematography by Pau Castejón Úbeda and production design aimed to create a claustrophobic atmosphere within the industrial mill complex.

Release and reception

The film had its world premiere in October 2024 at the Sitges Film Festival, a major genre festival in Catalonia. It was subsequently released for streaming exclusively on the AMC Networks platform Shudder in North America and the United Kingdom. Critical reception was mixed; some reviewers praised the atmospheric tension and performances, particularly that of Stephen Rea, while others critiqued the familiar narrative tropes. The film was noted for its effective use of sound design and the oppressive setting, drawing comparisons to other folk horror and industrial horror works.

Themes and analysis

The film explores themes of colonialism and cultural intrusion, examining the consequences of an external force attempting to control and extract resources from a sacred, unfamiliar land. The jungle itself acts as a vengeful, sentient entity, a common motif in eco-horror, reacting against the industrial exploitation represented by the paper mill. Psychological elements delve into the manifestation of personal trauma and guilt, as the supernatural phenomena specifically target the family's hidden fears. The narrative also engages with folkloric beliefs, suggesting a pre-existing pact or understanding between the local inhabitants and the primordial force that the newcomers violently disrupt.

Cultural impact

As a Spanish horror film with an English-language cast, it continues the trend of international co-productions aimed at the global streaming market, particularly on genre-focused services like Shudder. Its release contributed to the visibility of Catalan cinema within the horror genre. The film's setting and themes invite discussion within the context of contemporary eco-horror, alongside works like Annihilation and The Ruins. While not a major commercial hit, it solidified director Lluís Quílez's reputation in genre filmmaking and demonstrated the ongoing viability of atmospheric, location-driven horror.

Category:2024 horror films Category:Spanish horror films Category:Shudder original films