Available: December 28, 2010
Director: Marcos Efron
Screenplay: Jennifer Derwingson and Marcos Efron
Based on the 1970 film by Brian Clemens and Terry Nation
Cast: Amber Heard, Odette Yustman, Karl Urban, Gia Mantegna, Adriana Barraza

Rating: R
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Running Time: 91 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen - 1.77:1
DVD Extras: Commentary by Director Marcos Efron, Cinematography Gabriel Beristain, and Editor Todd Miller; Director Marcos Efron video diary; Deleted Scenes.
Official Site: /www.andsoonthedarkness.com
Synopsis: Stephanie (AMBER HEARD) and Ellie’s (ODETTE YUSTMAN) vacation to an exotic village in Argentina is a perfect ‘girl’s getaway’ to bask in the sun, shop and flirt with the handsome locals. After a long night of bar-hopping, the girls get into an argument, and Stephanie heads out alone in the morning to cool off. But when she returns, Ellie has disappeared. Finding signs of a struggle, Stephanie fears the worst, and turns to the police for help. But the local authorities have their hands full already - with a string of unsolved kidnappings targeting young female tourists. Skeptical of the sheriff’s competency, she enlists help from Michael (KARL URBAN), an American ex-pat staying at their hotel. Together they go on a frantic search for Ellie, but Stephanie soon realizes that trusting his seemingly good intentions may drag her farther from the truth. With danger mounting, and time running out, Stephanie must find her friend before darkness falls.

Review: In yet another in the emerging subgenre of “vacations gone deadly wrong” under horror, director Marcos Efron’s AND SOON THE DARKNESS has a lot in common with its predecessors such as “Turistas” and “A Perfect Getaway.” In fact the artwork looks very much like that of a “A Perfect Getaway.”

The story is a tad slow to get going and it is overly convoluted in order to keep you guessing until the bitter end. It’s beautifully shot and there are some great locations. The performances are a tad above average. Overall it will probably be embraced more by the less seasoned genre fans.

The deleted scenes were interesting. The director’s video diary was a tad more interesting then the commentary. The banter among the three principles contained in the commentary has a few interesting tidbits of information but has little to offer the aspiring filmmaker or cinema buff.

Not a great film, but after watching AND SOON THE DARKNESS peaked my interest in tracking down the 1970 film of the same title.