“Dark Skies” does not take advantage of the plot’s creepy potential.
Lacy (Keri Russell) and Daniel (Josh Hamilton) live in a charming suburb where things could not be better, or so it seems. Daniel lost his job and the family is depending on Lacy’s income as a real state agent. The family’s finances turn out to be the least of their problems when bizarre and disturbing events begin happening.
The situation escalates and the family realizes that they are the target of a strong and potentially deadly force that may not be from this world.
“Dark Skies” has the potential to be intriguing and unique, but the film fails to take advantage of this potential. There are a few good scares and eerie moments that give the film hope.
These scares are unfortunately dead ends. Just when it seems like the weird and scary forces are finally coming into play there is an abrupt lull in the action. The film’s most impressive quality could be its ability to go from mildly terrifying to boring in a matter of a few seconds.
Russell’s performance as a mother shines at certain points, but only when she’s acting as the mother. Her interaction with potential buyers for a home she is doing a walk through for sticks out as particularly awkward. This scenes only redeeming quality is the major freakout Russell’s character has that results in her blacking out for six hours.
Hamilton’s performance is mediocre as well. The only part where he stands out is when he follows in Russell’s footsteps and has a breakdown in the middle of the night.
Dakota Goyo (‘Thor’) portrays the awkward angst of his 13-year-old character well, and Kaden Rockett knows how to use his age to bring additional scares as he plays the family’s youngest member.
J.K. Simmons plays the role of alien expert and offers one of the most solid performances of the entire film. Simmons is only in the film for a handful of scenes, but his character steals these few scenes.
The few disturbing scenes of “Dark Skies” are genuinely disturbing. From mysterious brands and odd seizures, the film explores some darker psychological aspects of thriller movies.
These scary moments never manage to get the ball rolling and set the film into motion. This makes it difficult to determine whether the film is about aliens or a broken family.
“Dark Skies” misses its chance to take the thrilling plot by the reigns and create a truly disturbing, fresh alien thriller.
Dark Skies” is rated PG-13 for violence, terror throughout, sexual material drug content and language.
