After Dark (Mørkeblind) [2024]

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

On his way home Kristian (Simen Bostad) encounters a young woman, Mia (Billie Barker). She’s panicked and frantic, begging for help getting to the nearest train station. After Dark some strange individuals come out, and Kristian begins to question the validity of Mia’s story. 

After Dark has no happy ending. As a matter of fact, the film has no true conclusion, leaving everything about it open to interpretation. The film ends very suddenly, just as suddenly as it begins, just as suddenly as Kristian’s world is turned upside down. The abrupt nature of Director Iain Forbes’ storytelling continues to subvert viewers’ expectations, keeping them on their toes throughout the entire short film. I love an open ending (when it’s done correctly). Forbes effectively concludes After Dark in this fashion. He gives very little away, forces viewers’ minds to wander, and provides enough subtle context throughout the short film to give viewers something to chew on.

After Dark takes place primarily on the streets of Denmark, and while there is a sense of familiarity in terms of what cities around the world often look like, there is a separation between the aesthetic present in the film and what I’m familiar with in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, or New Orleans. That lack of familiarity is important to the success of After Dark, as the mystery surrounding Kristian and Mia feels as if it’s expanding as a result. Viewers, too, are lost in this unfamiliar place. That allows the darkness that permeates this set to creep in and consume viewers throughout. As the intensity heightens and becomes more prominent, the narrative becomes more compelling and more complete. 

Forbes does a spectacular job of containing a massive story in an incredibly short film. There is plenty of character development, the narrative is paced and structured beautifully, and the tone of the film remains steady and honest throughout. As a result of the open ending, it’s fair to say that the possibilities of what Forbes has created are boundless—nothing is outside the realm of possibility. After Dark isn’t overzealous in its presentation, however, exercising restraint and ensuring that it never takes things too far or provides viewers with too much information. 

In short, Forbes tells us nothing—and After Dark is brilliantly accessible and elusive as a result. 

Directed by Iain Forbes. 

Written by Andreas Lübker. 

Starring Simen Bostad, Billie Barker, Håkon Ramstad, Catherine Pedersen, Andreas Lübker, etc. 

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING