AFTER DARK

Cinemavixion Review

Rico Johnson's "After Dark" plunges viewers into a quintessential spring break nightmare, where a single wrong turn transforms a festive getaway into a harrowing ordeal. The film masterfully builds tension as seven college students find themselves stranded on a deserted road after dark, their hope for rescue dwindling with the setting sun. The arrival of a drifter, portrayed with an unsettling ambiguity by Sonny Bermudez, introduces a complex dynamic of potential aid versus imminent threat. Johnson expertly uses the isolation of the setting to amplify the characters' vulnerability, making every rustle in the trees and every shadow a source of dread. While the plot description hints at a classic slasher setup, the true strength of "After Dark" lies in its exploration of trust and paranoia when faced with the unknown, leaving audiences to question the true intentions lurking just beyond the campfire's glow.