Darkness By Day

Darkness By Day, a 2013 film directed by Martin Desalvo, is an Argentine thriller that uses the backdrop of a mysterious and isolated setting to weave its captivating narrative. Featuring actors like Pablo Caramelo, Marta Lubos, and Romina Paula, the film beautifully blurs the lines between reality and imagination to leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

Set in the enveloping forests of an isolated village in Argentina, Darkness By Day explores the life of Virginia, played by Romina Paula. Virginia is a young woman leading a simple life, with a largely uneventful and straightforward existence. She lives with her elderly aunt Rita, portrayed by Marta Lubos, spending her days immersed in the tranquillity that comes with life set against the backdrop of the vast expanse of the wilds. However, cracks soon begin to appear in this tranquil existence.

One day, Virginia's cousin, Anabel, disappears without a trace. Virginia’s old childhood friend, played by Pablo Caramelo, comes to inform her about this shocking disappearance. The sudden disappearance of her cousin shocks Virginia and brings up feelings of fear and suspense within her, given the quiet, predictable life she is accustomed to.

As the search for Anabel intensifies, unsettling rumours start to spread around the village. Stories of a mysterious and deadly virus that has overrun the nearby rural areas escalate the sense of impending doom. Virginia, left alone in her house with only her old aunt for company, now finds herself trapped in a situation that is rapidly spiralling towards dread and chaos. The whisperings of an insidious disease, combined with the sudden disappearance of her cousin, casts a terrifying shadow over her life, making her question the very fabric of her reality.

Darkness By Day ingeniously delivers a tense, atmospheric experience by leveraging bare-bones storytelling, focusing deeply on its main character, Virginia. The movie excels by emphasizing character development and making the most of its moody, ominous setting. The looming trees, the constant fog, the brooding weather, all contribute towards evoking a gloomy, unsettling atmosphere that keeps the viewers engaged throughout.

Portrayed by Romina Paula, Virginia stands as the heartbeat of the film. Paula's performance, which is tense, nuanced, and incredibly compelling, takes the audience along in her journey through vague fears, mounting suspicions and the desperate pursuit of the truth. Through the lens of Virginia, the audience experiences the ambience of dread that permeates the village, and her reaction to the circumstances lends an element of raw human emotion to the movie.

In supporting roles, Marta Lubos as Aunt Rita, and Pablo Caramelo as the childhood friend, put forth exceptional performances that enhance the overall narrative. The cast’s excellent character portrayal, coupled with their dynamics, allows the audience to invest in their journey, evoking a deep sense of empathy.

The director, Martin Desalvo, employs a hauntingly unique perspective on the mystery thriller genre by introducing elements of horror, fantasy, and drama. Under his visionary guidance, Darkness By Day grows into a suspenseful narrative that beautifully intertwines fear, anticipation, humanity, and instinct.

While the movie provides plenty of chills and thrills, it also subtly delves into the exploration of human emotions and relationships when faced with adversity. It touches upon themes of love, comfort, solace, loneliness, insecurity, and the intrinsic human capacity to hope amidst despair.

On the technical front, the movie impresses with its meticulous cinematography that perfectly encapsulates the eerie and sombre mood of the narrative. The grim colour palette and the sparing use of music further contribute to the film's atmospheric tension.

To sum it up, Darkness By Day (2013) is an intriguing cinematic feat that employs elements of suspense and anxiety to serve up a thrilling experience. Subtle and slow-burning, this chilling tale of unexpected horrors is punctuated by strong performances, skilful direction, and an unnerving atmosphere that pervades the movie from start to finish. It is a film that will leave viewers contemplating its intricate narrative long after the credits roll.