OUT OF THE DARK is an entirely predictable US-financed ghost story that unfortunately gains little from being shot in Colombia with a Colombian crew and Spanish director. The story feels like the usual 'Americans abroad' type tale and indeed when the ghostly back story kicks in, although it's mildly inventive, it bears too much similarity to previous ghost films like THEY WAIT, a Canadian film in which almost exactly the same stuff happens to a family who move to China with their kid and are haunted by sweat-shop ghosts.

That's not to say that this film is particularly poor, because it's certainly adequate by genre standards and it refreshingly focuses on attempted chills rather than gore effects, but it's still a disappointment. Julia Stiles and Scott Speedman can do little with their predictable characters and the acting of the kid is little to write home about either. Stephen Rea stars in another 'pick up the pay cheque' type supporting role and as a whole the scary moments seem derived from the likes of SILENT HILL rather than being truly original. It's just about passable, but only if you're almost entirely unfamiliar with this entire genre of film.

The film opens in 1992 Santa Clara, Colombia. (Don't drink the water.) A doctor is burning files and leaving his home on a dark and stormy night. He has an accident and dies and it appears the ghosts of children are involved. We flash to the present. Paul (Scott Speedman) and Sarah (Julia Stiles) along with their daughter Hannah (Pixie Davies) become the new occupants. Sarah is going to become the general manager at her father's (Stephen Rea) local paper mill. The daughter becomes ill and then disappears as ghosts appear.

Nothing like a ghost story involving a little girl and Native Americans. However, in this tale there is no Zelda Rubinstein. The parents and grandfather are out looking for Hannah while uncovering dirty little secrets for which the script writer was kind enough to give us ample clues. This is a fairly decent ghost story that runs with the pact. It is good while you watch it, but one you will soon forget.

Will make a good rental.

Guide: No f-bombs, sex, or nudity.

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Out of the Dark" (2014) is more of a mystery thriller with some horror elements rather then a horror movie. It's not scary, yet it has some jump scare moments, which are kinda generic and predictable. If you will start watching this movie in hope to see a great horror movie, you will end up disappointed.

That said, "Out of the Dark" is more of a mystery movie. Plot is simple, yet not that bad. The best parts of this movie in my opinion was solid cinematography, gorgeous locations (shoot at location in Columbia),nice acting by J.Stiles (unfortunately Scott Speedman was miscast here) and some very nice pacing of this movie. Director did kinda nice job, but script in here should have been improved.

Overall, "Out of the Dark" is not a bad movie, it's just not a horror as it's advertisement says. It's nice to see some scenery change once in a while, and this movie has one. Good pacing, nice acting by lead actress, solid cinematography and some mystery story with horror elements makes this movie a worth seeing once.