The Strange Dark

One of the smartest and most original films I've ever seen! From the very first scene, it grips the audience and immerses them in a true cinematic experience.

The plot unfolds like a beautifully layered mystery, keeping you guessing until the final moments. With its charming characters, sharp comedic timing, and abundance of heart, this film strikes a perfect balance between intrigue and warmth.

Writer and director Chris Messineo has crafted a genuine masterpiece, drawing inspiration from classics like The Twilight Zone and Men in Black. These influences are seamlessly woven into a fresh, modern narrative that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

This is a film that will captivate audiences and stands as undeniable proof that original storytelling is alive and well!

Strange Dark is a gripping, time-bending thriller that starts with a simple knock at the door and spirals into a suspenseful, layered narrative. When a woman is told by two strangers that her husband has stolen secret information from his company, the fabric of trust within the family begins to unravel. What follows is a beautifully intricate story that dances back and forth in time, keeping you guessing while also offering unexpected, tender moments of comedy.

The direction is bold, and the screenplay crackles with nuance-full of sharp dialogue and emotional depth. The performances are stellar; the actors navigate the script's twists with a grounded intensity, balancing paranoia with moments of genuine warmth. The cinematography is especially worth mentioning-gorgeous, moody, and haunting in all the right ways.

A psychological puzzle with heart, Strange Dark is as entertaining as it is unsettling. A standout film that lingers long after the credits roll.

Set in one house with seven characters, The Strange Dark makes the most of its 84-minute runtime with an action-packed, heartfelt sci-fi mystery that expertly unravels through its non-linear storytelling. All lead performances are fantastic, with Nili Bassman's Susan and Caleb Scott's Edgar at the heart of the story. The director, Chris Messineo, was a film school teacher for over a decade, and his directing here shows that although it's a feature-length debut, he is still an expert at controlling a scene and a set. Another aspect of The Strange Dark that shines is the comedy. While the film is a thriller first, it is still exceptionally funny due to its comic relief characters of Frank, The Kid, and Cole. The entire theater fell in love with these characters and quoted some of their lines on the way out. The film is paced perfectly between its tenseness, comedy, and touching moments involving Susan, Edgar, and their daughter Taylor. It is truly a feat of filmmaking, and I implore you to see The Strange Dark if it ever plays at a festival near you.

What a wonderful treat it is to watch this film! It's so well-constructed, well-executed, well-written, well-edited, well-acted, and beautifully shot. Messineo is a skilled Writer/Director story-teller. This movie was the gem of this year's festival season! Can't wait for it to get a wider release.

Part thriller, part sci-fi, and at the same time a great story about a family in crisis -- it's like a really good episode of The Twilight Zone meets Knives Out. This movie is so much fun to watch -- the dialog is great! The actor's are wonderful and it has something to say. Can't recommend this film highly enough.

The script and the acting are the stars of this film. The story went in surprising directions and the acting kept me riveted and eager for a good outcome for the characters. Smart, funny, and thrilling. The fact that the story is set in one location makes the film that much more impressive. They say every story's already been told, and it's difficult nowadays to subvert an audience's expectations, but this film certainly does that. It was never predictable and I was delighted to be taken along on the journey of these characters. A truly original story with wonderful actors and solid direction. Highly recommend!