Watch Coming Home in the Dark
- TV-MA
- 2021
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5.7 (7,935)
Coming Home in the Dark is a dark and gritty thriller movie that was released in 2021. Directed by James Ashcroft, and starring Daniel Gillies, Erik Thomson and Miriama McDowell, it tells a harrowing story of a family put through a nightmarish ordeal when they encounter two young men during a trek through the New Zealand countryside.
The movie opens in a picturesque setting, as a family of four set out on a day trip along a scenic highway. Alan (Thomson) and Jill (McDowell) are an experienced couple who love the outdoors, and they are out with their teenage son Maika (Billy Paratene) and his school friend Jordan (Gillies). Things seem to be going well until they make a brief stop to stretch their legs near a remote beach. It's here that they meet two young men with backpacks, who are sitting nearby on the rocks.
David (Matthias Luafutu) is a muscular and intense looking guy, who appears to intimidate the family right from the start. His friend Tubs (Charles Mesure) is more chatty and easy-going, but he also seems a bit odd. The family tries to enjoy their time on the beach, but the tension builds as David and Tubs begin to stalk them, seemingly at random. Eventually, they confront the family and force them to drive to an abandoned shack far away from civilization.
From here on in, the movie becomes a harrowing tale of survival. The family members are separated and subjected to mental and physical torture, as the two criminals reveal that they have a dark and shocking agenda. While the parents are held captive, Maika and Jordan must work together to try and find a way out of this nightmare. Along the way, they uncover secrets that deepen the horrifying nature of the situation.
Throughout the movie, the acting is outstanding. Each of the leads is convincing in their roles, creating a sense of real emotion and terror as their characters are pushed to their limits. In particular, Daniel Gillies delivers a powerful performance as Jordan, portraying an internal struggle that makes his character a standout. Erik Thomson and Miriama McDowell also put in strong performances, showing both the love and the panic that overwhelm them as they fight for their survival.
The direction is also impressive, with James Ashcroft pulling out all the stops to build up tension and create an eerie atmosphere that stays with you long after the credits roll. There are moments of extreme violence and terror, but they are used judiciously to create maximum impact without ever feeling gratuitous.
At its core, Coming Home in the Dark is a movie about evil and the devastating impact it can have on seemingly innocent people. It is a thought-provoking exploration of what happens when normal lives are shattered by unspeakable acts, and how far people will go to protect the ones they love. The movie raises difficult questions and offers no easy answers, making it a standout example of the best that the thriller genre has to offer.
Overall, Coming Home in the Dark is a well-crafted and intense thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a movie that will make you think, as well as get your heart pounding, and it's one that is sure to stay with you long after you've finished watching it. So if you're in the mood for a dark and atmospheric thriller that doesn't pull any punches, be sure to check out Coming Home in the Dark.
Coming Home in the Dark is a 2021 thriller. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 64.