After the Dark

A bunch of kids who all seem to have arrived from the same toothpaste or shampoo commercial turn up for their last day at school ever. The teacher decides to run a philosophy role-play as a kind of review session. What follows are momentous life-and-death decisions with huge consequences for the fate of the human race.

Or not, as it turns out - because it is a classroom exercise. All the exotic settings, CGI explosions, and crisp cinematography cannot distract us from the fact that all that is at stake here is an A, B or C grade. There isn't even a mention that someone might FAIL the class - the stakes are that low! The teacher threatens the lead girl with losing her A+ in a manner that, if taken seriously, would see him fired for power harassment and incompetence. Are we meant to fear for her in this ludicrous moment? Unfortunately, that is as dramatic as this film gets.

The so-called philosophy is preachy and immature. The pupils all kind of blend into each other as characterisation is one-note. And absolutely nothing of value is tested or put at risk here. It's like The Breakfast Club was never made.

How this screenplay made it to the top of anyone's pile is a crime that should be investigated. Two stars - one for the cinematography, the other for the huge drinking game potential.

The idea behind it is great, but I do not think anyone can actually create a film from that idea that an educated audience or anyone who has taken a philosophy class would find acceptable. I will not go into details as there are far too many instances in every scene of the film that make you question the believability that these students have ever taken a single philosophy class.

To enjoy this film I feel you need to ignore the played out apocalyptic scenarios completely and only focus on the two lead characters and the teacher and take it for what it is. If you are expecting to watch a film that is intelligent and driven by strong performances you will be sadly let down. You could seriously watch this film with your television on mute and understand the story just as well.

Evolution has always favored self-interest. Collectivism only works when the self-interest of the majority is satisfied. That is all you have to know to survive the end of times, I mean, if you even want to survive the end of times...because, let's face it, it is pointless... just like this movie.

As I watched the movie it came to me that the guys who wrote, directed and produced this film were in a bar one night when they decided that this was a worthwhile film. You would have to be fall- down drunk to think this film had any depth or even answered the most shallow philosophical questions of existence.

The acting was bland, the lead actress was a desert of emotions. The other actors just stood there without expression. I don't suppose that the director or the films cutter had sobered up from their night of drinking yet and I do believe that the music was written for some other movie...maybe a cartoon.

Please do not watch this film or you might hurt your artistic soul...there, I have warned you.

John Huddles' "After the Dark" (2013) delivers an absolutely fascinating and intellectually stimulating sci-fi thriller, immersing viewers in a unique philosophical thought experiment about survival and morality. The film excels in its ambitious premise, challenging its characters and the audience to confront difficult ethical dilemmas in a post-apocalyptic scenario. The ensemble cast, featuring a group of philosophy students, delivers compelling performances, each embodying distinct viewpoints and vulnerabilities. Its strength lies in its intelligent script, which sparks genuine debate and introspection, and its willingness to explore complex questions without easy answers. Instead of a typical disaster movie, it offers a fresh, unforgettable, and endlessly rewatchable cinematic experience that prioritizes ideas over action.

Is it worth watching? Absolutely. "After the Dark" is a must-watch for those who appreciate intelligent sci-fi, philosophical discussions, and films that dare to be different. It's a truly unique and thought-provoking experience.

As other people have detailed more completely than I care to, this movie is mediocre at best if you're looking for a movie about philosophy. If you try to watch the movie from this point of view it's downright infuriating and deserves the single star that so many reviewers gave.

Watching the movie as a drama, it's passable. The teacher claims that they're doing a thought experiment but in actuality I would say they were playing a bad role playing game (think Dungeons and Dragons). Imagine a really nasty DM (the teacher) empowered to force others to play his game by use of his position of authority. He does most of the things that a bad DM does and for reasons consistent with most common role playing game drama. This doesn't really pull together to make a fantastic movie but it's decent.