Dark Skiestells the story of a family which seems to be going mad. Strange things are happening to and around them, and their neighbors start to worry that some crazy people are about. As they investigate, they find that there is a malevolent force from space which has chosen one of their children to be abducted, and that someone they know may be working for the other side.
The movie was produced mostly in the dark, perhaps to keep some of the plot from getting spoiled, but this trailer finally makes clear that the film will certainly have the tone of a horror thriller.
It feels almost like a poltergeist film from the trailer, but the synopsis clarifies the family is indeed dealing with extra-terrestrials:
Dark Skies a psychological thriller about a suburban couple whose lives become a nightmare when a terrifying alien presence enters their home each night to prey upon their children. Increasingly isolated from skeptical friends and neighbors, the couple is forced to take matters into their own hands to save their family.
It’s unclear what, if any, connection the film has the the Dark Skies TV series from the 1990’s. None of the character names match, but that doesn’t mean that this isn’t intended to take place in the same story-world.
If you’re unfamiliar, Dark Skies was essentially a paranormal investigation show, focusing on space-aliens, which was marketed to capitalize on the popularity of The X-Files. The show took place in the 1960’s, and was presented like it was a dramatization of government records which had recently been unsealed.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you never heard of it, as the show only ran for 19 episodes. If nothing else, you might remember it as the show that gave Jeri Ryan her first recurring role, and provide her with the attention that landed her the Star Trek: Voyager role that ultimately made her famous.
Dark Skies, which stars Keri Russell and Josh Hamilton, hits theaters on February 22, 2012.
