The reason for me watching DARK PLACES is Charlize Theron and the little description I read on Netflix. Honestly, I never heard of this movie, until I saw it on Netflix, so it was kind of refreshing without much expectation. This movie is also available on multiple streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime, and if you are looking for a good drama, it’s indeed a good watch.
DARK PLACES is an engaging suspense-thriller based on the bestselling by Gillian Flynn (Sharp Objects, Dark Places, and Gone Girl). The film follows a woman, Libby Day, played by Charlize Theron, who investigates a 28-year-old murder case in which three members of her family were killed for which her brother Ben is now serving sentence.
Almost three decades after surviving the brutal crime as a child, Libby has been surviving from the donations she receives from unknown good-hearted people. Falling short of donation, she now must come out from her reclusive life, as she gets approached by a guy named Lyle from a secret society that is obsessed with solving infamous crime cases.
As Libby gets in touch with the secret society members, she now comes to believe that her brother may be innocent. Even though at first she was only attracted to receiving money, Libby shows genuine interest and starts revisiting her past, joining the dots in her quest to understand what really happened that unfortunate night.
She now must think and ponder over her past and try to figure out whether or not Ben, who was only a shy and serious boy, could actually commit such a crime. Libby must think of the possibilities of anyone else’s involvement. DARK PLACES is a film about searching for the truth by coming out of the troubled past – those ‘dark places’ where both Libby and her brother Ben have been imprisoned for a long.
Watch the Movie Trailer for Dark Places
I have not read the book, but the narration has been amazing with the help of an incredible cast. The story flashes back and forth and gives us clues to understand the crime. As the movie progresses, we are introduced to other characters who could possibly be involved in the crime. This makes DARK PLACES even more interesting and engaging.
Certainly, the USP of the film is its story – so, it would not be wise to reveal that any further. However, if you are interested in suspense dramas, and even a film with some great characters – this is one of those movies. As the name suggests, this is not an all-happy story. The story is a bit sad but compelling enough, as it keeps the suspense on hold until the last part of the film.
Flynn’s book Gone Girl and its adaptation to the film is also another movie to watch. That was a smash hit. However, we kind of wonder – how come this movie never got any good response? Probably because of the lack of buzzwords, preference for VOD, and scattered international releases. Also, the fact that it came after Gone Girl, kind of raised unreasonable expectations.
Besides, being an indie film, the French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner has also faced numerous challenges in production. As per reports, the film falls short of the actual vision of the director. Nonetheless, DARK PLACES will for sure amuse you with its great story and characterization.
Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Gilles Paquet-Brenner
Starring: Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christina Hendricks, Corey Stoll, Tye Sheridan
Release Date: August 7, 2015
Where to watch Dark Places (2015)
