Dark Encounter (2019)

Please leave me a review if you like the show. Wherever you listen, preferably on Apple Podcasts. You're welcome for these pics of Laura Fraser (hubba hubba) MY FULL WRITTEN REVIEW IS ON HorrorNews.net/author/damien TO ENTER THE CREEPY SOUND CONTEST, SEND ME A MESSAGE SUCH AS ON TWITTER OR FACEBOOK or LEAVE A COMMENT. A posse of sorts sets out in this film to find the missing young girl. On their trek, we see light tricks and themes akin to those seen in previous alien abduction films. But this story has an angle we haven’t seen before and that makes it an above average film in my view. Among a cast of mostly no namers, we are treated to the lovely and talented Laura Fraser who plays the mother character “Olivia” quite well. She takes you in as you watch and keeps the film grounded from a grieving mother’s perspective. Whereas most films recycle the themes or alien abduction, this one leads the viewer on through a mystery that shows something never been attempted: the idea of innocent and benevolent aliens. When the Sheriff hugs the father to console him after his daughter disappears, the hug seemed awkward and poorly acted. Little did I know that was a hidden clue that would later tie in the aliens and everything else that’s part of the film’s conflict. There’s no way to know that until you’ve seen the movie though and that doesn’t qualify as a clue in my view. You won’t find gore or amazing alien latex costumery. You will find lights in the sky akin to “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” There is also a powerful musical score. Unfortunately though, the lack of horror visuals and concepts makes this much more of a sci fi. I am not sure I would recommend it to a die hard horror fan. I do watch a lot of independent films and this one is certainly well made with the foxy lead and the music. It is a film rooted in grief so it makes it hard to enjoy Ms. Laura but she’s a reassuring force throughout nonetheless. (Aye that little pink bow in the picture. If that lady needs a slightly older man to show her some pleasure, I'll have to get divorced first but send her my way). Let me reiterate though, this is a slow burn and not really a horror. As a sci fi, I give it 8/10 and as a horror I have to give it a 6/10. There are, after all, a few scary parts. Also, the concept of the daughter’s fate is indeed a horrifying thought. This film is on Amazon Prime at time of review.