Into the Night

Into the Night, available on Netflix since 2020, is an intriguing and gripping post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller series. This unique series, a superb production from Belgium, is Netflix's first-ever Belgian original series. The creator, Jason George, was inspired by the science fiction novel “The Old Axolotl” by Polish author Jacek Dukaj, and the show has been hailed as a magnificent mix of drama, adventure, and suspense that seamlessly blends the line between the unfamiliar and known territories of human endurance.

The premise of Into the Night is a catastrophic global event, but unlike typical apocalypse shows where humans are the architects of their undoing due to nuclear warfare, rogue AI, or bioengineered viruses, this show charts a different course. The cataclysm here stems from the most essential catalyst of life on Earth – the sun. An inexplicable solar event turns one of Earth’s most reliable celestial bodies into humanity's doom, and as the sun rises across the globe, it brings death instead of life.

At the heart of Into the Night is a diverse group of airline passengers who escape the initial disaster because they are on a red-eye flight from Brussels heading into the dark side of the Earth. This ragtag group includes a NATO soldier, a co-pilot with a troubled past, a Turkey-based security officer, a Russian mobster, a social media influencer, a climate scientist, a grief-stricken wife, and an overbearing corporate boss, among others. This range of personalities heightens the plot's drama, tension, and emotional peaks, as the characters' backstories eventually unravel against the chaotic and fear-filled backdrop of the series, making for some outstanding inter-character dynamics and intense drama.

The crew, led by the commanding yet compassionate former NATO officer, must navigate numerous challenges. The group's survival depends on their ability to outrun the sun by continuously flying west into the night. However, their predicament isn't as simple, for they are constantly marred by the need for fuel, food, medicine, dealing with international airspace rules, and the tricky task of finding a safe landing spot in a world that's completely in disarray.

Into the Night shines in its portrayal of the characters' fear and desperation, where the lurking danger is always coupled with hope, determination, and extraordinary acts of bravery. The narrative explores the extremes that people may go to preserve their lives and those of others, offering a critique of the human condition that is often harsh, emotional, and layered. And through this, it brings out the basic question: How far are you willing to go to stay alive?

The storytelling is taut, and the pace is swift, with each episode often ending on a cliffhanger note, making it an intense binge-worthy watch. The creators have taken great care to build suspense and create plot twists, always keeping the viewer on edge. The isolation in the sky coupled with the regular ground-touches paints an arresting contrast, contributing to the unique, eerie aura of the show.

In terms of aesthetics, the show delivers a pleasing visual palette that aptly suits its grim theme. The eerie scenes illuminated by twilight, dusk, or artificial lights create a sense of imminent peril. Besides, the attention to technical details, accurate depiction of aerodynamics and aviation technology, result in a realistic portrayal of the frantic mid-air and ground events.

The acting performances in Into the Night are strong and compelling. There is no single lead, and every character gets a chance to shine, pitching in their strengths at a time when humanity itself is at stake. The dialogue is sharp and persuasive and effectively localizes the universal terror.

In the end, what primarily distinguishes Into the Night from other post-apocalyptic dramas is its departure from the cliche representation of the disaster genre—no zombies or alien invasions. Instead, it taps into the unnerving concept of solar destruction, providing a fresh impetus to apocalyptic storytelling.

So, if you are looking for a thrilling sci-fi series that's not just about special effects but also focuses intensely on human drama, relationships, and survival, Into the Night should be on your watchlist. It offers an engaging narrative that will leave you pondering the fragility and tenacity that together form the human existence.