The Darkness 2016

The movie opens with a family of four enjoying a vacation and hosting a cookout with friends. As the parents reminisce about life and relish the food, Andrew (played by David Mazouz), the teenage son of their friends, decides to venture into the canyon alongside Stephanie and Mikey — the teenage daughter and young son of the main family, respectively. The parents briefly chat about Bear Grylls, reminding their kids to stay cautious during their exploration.

As the trio delves into the woods, Andrew shares a spooky tale about the Grand Canyon, claiming it’s haunted by legendary guardians of the spirit world, sparking both intrigue and fear in Mikey. To alleviate his brother’s anxiety, Andrew hands over his watch just before Mikey stumbles and falls into the Canyon. Remarkably uninjured, Mikey discovers several black rocks etched with symbols, pocketing them without a second thought.

When both families return home, a series of unsettling events unfold. Mikey’s parents, Kevin Bacon and Radha Mitchell, attempt to share an intimate moment, only to be interrupted by strange noises around the house. Mikey claims these disturbances are due to an imaginary friend named “Jenny” who resides within the walls. Tension rises when Stephanie confronts their mother over perceived invasions of privacy, causing friction in the household. Meanwhile, Mikey’s behavior grows increasingly erratic, and during a routine moment of play, he manages to unnerve his mother by startling her under a blanket.

As days pass, the eerie occurrences multiply. Mikey finds himself drawn to strange sounds coming from the attic, attributing it to Jenny’s influence. His father, Peter, grapples with the weight of his son’s autism, becoming exasperated by Mikey’s unpredictable behavior. He senses a creeping danger lurking just out of sight, indicated by ominous occurrences, including sinister markings appearing in various places around their home, particularly surrounding Stephanie’s personal space.

In an emotionally charged confrontation, Stephanie’s struggle with anorexia is revealed, urging their father to seek professional help for her. Mikey becomes increasingly unsettled, rattling his grandmother during a visit, which leads to concerns over his mental state and establishes an underlying tension threading through the family dynamics.

Mikey’s fixation on the mysterious rocks leads to disastrous consequences, including a devastating fire in his room. As his mother discovers these haunting transformations, she becomes increasingly desperate to protect him while searching for answers. A revelation about the Anasazi Indians hints at a curse tied to the rocks — suggesting they must return them to dispel the darkness that’s enveloping their family.

In a series of movement shifts, they pursue help from a spiritual healer, Teresa, and her translator, Gloria, embarking on a journey to cleanse their home. However, supernatural forces retaliate, throwing them into chaos and endangering their family unity. Amidst the havoc, Peter and Mikey confront the demons, with a fierce battle that tests the bond every family member shares.

> “I’m not afraid,” Mikey declares, stepping up to reclaim his family’s safety. Surrounded by temptation from the darkness, he becomes their beacon of hope, allowing them all to escape the horrors they faced. The climax evolves as the family unites, confronting their fears and ultimately cleansing their home from the sinister spirit.

The film concludes with a serene picnic, contrasting the previously chaotic atmosphere, as they finally embrace their renewed sense of togetherness — a tale woven with the threads of mystery, struggle, and profound familial love.