Out of Darkness
Directed byAndrew Cumming
Screenplay byRuth Greenberg
Produced by
  • Oliver Kassman
  • Wendy Griffin
Starring
CinematographyBen Fordesman
Edited byPaolo Pandolpho
Music byAdam Janota Bzowski
Production
companies
  • Animal Kingdom
  • Escape Plan
  • Selkie Productions
Distributed bySignature Entertainment
Release dates
  • 6 October 2022 (2022-10-06) (London)
  • 9 February 2024 (2024-02-09) (United Kingdom)
Running time
87 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Out of Darkness (previously titled The Origin) is a 2022 British horror thriller film directed by Andrew Cumming in his feature length debut and starring Safia Oakley-Green and Chuku Modu. The film was nominated for five awards at the 2023 British Independent Film Awards, winning best breakthrough performance for Oakley-Green. The film had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 6 October 2022.

Synopsis

45,000 years ago, a stone-age community tries to defend itself against a mysterious enemy.[2]

Cast

Production

Speaking to Screen Daily in 2021, Cumming called the project "a paleolithic horror film". He had first discussed the idea for the film with producer Oliver Kassman in 2015 and the pair invited Ruth Greenberg on board to script the project.[3]

The film was produced by Kassman for Escape Plan and executive produced by David Kaplan and Sam Intili on behalf of Animal Kingdom. It was co-produced by Wendy Griffin of Selkie Productions. Financing came from Screen Scotland and the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.[4]

Principal photography took place during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in November 2020 around Gairloch in Scotland. The production company hired out the Gairloch Hotel and all filming took place within a mile of the venue.[5]

Release

Out of Darkness (then titled The Origin) had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.[6] The film had its Scotland premiere on 5 March 2023 as part of the 2023 Glasgow Film Festival.[7] It was screened at Dundead in May 2023.[8]

In May 2023, it was reported that Bleecker Street had acquired North American rights from Stage 6 Films.[9] Shortly after, Signature Entertainment bought United Kingdom and Irish rights, and planned to release it later that year.[10] In October 2023, Bleecker Street scheduled a theatrical release for 9 February 2024.[11]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10.[12]

Accolades

The film received multiple nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, including best debut director for Cumming, best breakthrough for Oakley-Green, best music for Adam Janota Bzowski, best hair and make up for Niamh Morrison, and best debut screenplay for Ruth Greenberg.[13] Oakley-Green won the British Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performance on the night.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Out of Darkness (15)". BBFC. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  2. ↑ Ravindran, Manori (6 October 2022). "Buzzy Stone Age Horror 'The Origin' Tells Timeless Tale of Human Brutality, Unveils First Clip (Exclusive)". variety.com. Variety. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  3. ↑ Mitchell, Wendy (4 October 2021). "Stars of Tomorrow 2021: Andrew Cumming (director)". screendaily.com. Screen Daily. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "Andrew Cumming feature debut The Origin wraps shoot in Scottish Highlands". screen.scot. Screen Scotland. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Harkness, Alistair (13 February 2023). "Andrew Cumming on his Highlands-set horror film The Origin: 'You get one chance to have a big swing'". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  6. ↑ Wise, Damon (8 October 2022). "London Film Festival Review: Andrew Cumming's The Origin". deadline.com. Deadline. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "Full programme announced for the 2023 Glasgow Film Festival". screen.scot. Screen Scotland. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  8. ↑ Pollock, David (5 May 2023). "Dead Ringers, 'Mad Max in the snow' and Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer – a slice of Dundead's 2023 offering". The Courier. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  9. ↑ Ravindran, Manori (15 May 2023). "Bleecker Street Buys Stone Age Thriller The Origin (Exclusive)". variety.com. Variety. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  10. ↑ Tabbara, Mona (19 May 2023). "Survival horror 'The Origin' sells to Signature for UK-Ireland". screendaily.com. Screen International. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  11. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (31 October 2023). "Bleecker Street Stone-Age Horror Thriller 'The Origin' Renamed 'Out Of Darkness', Sets Theatrical Release Date". deadline.com. Deadline. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Out of Darkness". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  13. ↑ Szalai, Georg (4 November 2022). "British Independent Film Awards: Debut Movies 'Aftersun,' 'Blue Jean' Lead Nominations". hollywoodreporter.com. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  14. ↑ Tabbara, Mona (4 December 2022). "'Aftersun' shines as big winner of 2022 Bifas". screendaily.com. Screen Daily. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
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