Directed by
Colin Strause
Made by
Universal Pictures
As the film begins, we are greeted by a mesmerizing sight: blue lights, resembling flares, cascade down upon Los Angeles at night, illuminating the terrain below. We focus on a young couple, Jarrod and Elaine, who are abruptly stirred awake by the eerie glow outside their window. Initially mistaking it for morning, Elaine rushes to the bathroom, feeling nauseous. Upon her return, the room trembles violently, prompting Jarrod to investigate the commotion. He is halted by the anguished cries of Denise, who reveals that the lights have taken Ray. As Jarrod gazes into the light, a horrifying transformation begins, with blue/black veins creeping across his skin, leaving his eyes clouded and opaque. Soon after, Terry and Candice, his girlfriend, awake and join the fray, as Jarrod’s instinct draws him towards the ominous light.
Flashback to 15 hours earlier: Jarrod and Elaine arrive in Los Angeles from New York, ready to celebrate Terry’s birthday. Terry, once a childhood companion, has flourished in his career with a special effects company. He greets them at the airport in style, and the duo is soon introduced to Candice and Denise. They indulge in a lavish pool party, oblivious to the approaching danger above, despite Homeland Security helicopters surveilling the area. A celebratory atmosphere soon shifts when revelations come to light: Terry’s unscrupulous affair with his assistant Denise casts a dark shadow over the festivities.
Day 1, 4:27 a.m.: The chaos resumes as blue lights begin to fall, with a shocking encounter when Ray is taken right before their eyes. A desperate fight for survival unfolds as Jarrod grapples with the fear of losing control after the blue light’s touch. With panic rising, Terry and Jarrod venture to the building’s rooftop to assess the situation. Armed only with a camera and a revolver, they encounter immense alien ships descending upon the city, mercilessly vacuuming up crowds of terrified civilians.
Back in the apartment, the others find the TV stations eerily inactive, failing to explain the bizarre occurrences. Jarrod’s journey deepens into horror when flying drones attack, and their attempts to escape lead to catastrophic losses, including the heartbreaking demise of Denise. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of alien-infested Los Angeles, alliances are tested, and lives are forever altered.
When the crew attempts to escape to the marina, they quickly find themselves cornered, forcing them back into the safety of the apartment. Frustration mounts as Jarrod’s desire to leave clashes with the group’s unanimous agreement to hunker down. The situation escalates with alien drones launching an aerial battle against military forces, resulting in a devastating loss for the humans.
As the story progresses, the alien threat becomes undeniable when even the military’s counter-attack fails. A moment of hope is obliterated as an inexplicable blast from the alien mothership revitalizes the collective menace. With no safe haven left, Oliver’s tragic end signals the gravity of their situation.
Amidst the climax, Jarrod and Elaine’s resolve to confront their adversaries results in a desperate struggle against a squid alien. With life and love intertwined, they confront the overwhelming power of the aliens and their looming defeat escalates the emotional stakes. Clinging to each other, they face the final onslaught as the city falls under alien control.
In the concluding scenes, Elaine awakens in a gruesome alien realm, while Jarrod’s consciousness survives within an alien body. The narrative culminates with a heartfelt reunion when Jarrod, in his alien form, rescues Elaine, leading to a touching moment that underscores their enduring bond.
The film leaves viewers on a poignant cliffhanger as the two confront their new reality together, embodying resilience against the impending darkness lurking in the alien ship. The haunting journey culminates in an evocative exploration of love, survival, and transformation amidst chaos.
Mysterious Blue Lights
The film opens with a breathtaking view of blue lights cascading down over Los Angeles at night. This striking illumination stirs a young couple, Jarrod and Elaine, from their sleep, creating an immediate sense of foreboding.
Panic Strikes
Elaine feels nauseous and rushes to the bathroom, mistaking the lights for morning. Upon returning, a violent tremor shakes their room, alarming Jarrod into action as they discover Denise grieving over Ray's abduction by the lights.
Jarrod's Transformation
While gazing into the ominous light, Jarrod experiences a horrifying transformation marked by blue and black veins spreading across his skin. This shocking change signals the beginning of an unimaginable nightmare for the group.
Flashback to Arrival
Fifteen hours earlier, Jarrod and Elaine arrive in Los Angeles to celebrate Terry's birthday. They meet Candice and Denise at a lavish pool party, where Terry's affair with Denise casts a damning shadow on the festivities.
The First Attack
At 4:27 a.m. on Day 1, the chaos escalates as the blue lights descend with terrifying power. While witnessing Ray’s abduction, Jarrod and Terry struggle against fear, aiming to confront the looming dangers.
Rooftop Encounter
Terry and Jarrod climb to the rooftop to assess the surreal pandemonium. With a camera and a revolver, they confront the sight of alien ships extracting crowds of terrified civilians, solidifying the reality of their perilous situation.
Information Blackout
Back in the apartment, the group discovers that television stations are eerily silent, failing to explain the crises unfolding around them. This lack of information heightens their sense of isolation and fear.
Drones Attack
Jarrod's nightmare deepens as drones launch an attack, and they face devastating losses within their group. The heartbreaking death of Denise weighs heavily on them as they navigate this new, hostile world.
Cornered at the Marina
Desperate to escape, the group attempts to reach the marina but is quickly surrounded by alien forces, forcing them back into the apartment. As tensions rise, Jarrod advocates for escape while the group decides to bunker down.
Military Counterattack Fails
As military forces engage in a counterattack, the alien threat becomes undeniable when their efforts steadily fail. Hope fades as one horrific event after another assures them of their worsening plight.
The Tragic Loss
The group faces a dire moment when Oliver's tragic end underscores the gravity of the alien threat. Losses mount, and the remaining group members struggle to maintain their resolve amidst the terror.
Final Confrontation
In a climactic turn, Jarrod and Elaine decide to confront their fears head-on, resulting in a gruesome battle against a squid-like alien. Their fight epitomizes the union of life, love, and survival as they face overwhelming forces.
Alien Realm Awakening
As the story nears its end, Elaine awakens in a grotesque alien realm, highlighting the disorientation and despair of their situation. Meanwhile, Jarrod's consciousness adapts within an alien body, creating a complex emotional terrain.
A Touching Reunion
In a poignant climax, Jarrod, now in his alien form, manages to rescue Elaine. This moment encapsulates their deep and enduring bond, resonating with themes of love and resilience amidst chaos.
Facing a New Reality
The film concludes on a cliffhanger as Jarrod and Elaine confront their stark new reality, uniting against the impending darkness aboard the alien ship. Their journey leaves viewers contemplating the true nature of survival and human connection.
Jarrod
Jarrod is portrayed as a protective and loving partner, whose instincts to shield those he loves are prominently displayed as chaos unfolds. His character navigates themes of fear and desperation as he attempts to rally his friends amidst an alien invasion. As he faces the horrifying changes brought by the blue light, his journey reflects the struggle for identity and control in dire circumstances.
Elaine
Elaine is depicted as a strong yet vulnerable character, whose relationship with Jarrod is central to the narrative. She experiences profound turmoil as the events unravel, showcasing resilience and courage under pressure. Her journey through alien-infested landscapes highlights her determination to survive and protect her bond with Jarrod.
Terry
Terry serves as a friend and catalyst for the group’s ordeal, initially exhibiting charm and confidence but later revealing deeper vulnerabilities. As he confronts the consequences of his actions, his character development adds complexity to the story, making him relatable amidst the chaos. His leadership during the crisis highlights his transformation from a carefree party-goer to a desperate survivor.
Time period
The events unfold over a single chaotic night, starting with a seemingly normal evening and swiftly degenerating into complete turmoil. The distinct shift from celebration to survival highlights a dramatic turn that showcases the fragility of peace when faced with an existential threat.
Location
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a vibrant city known for its entertainment industry and sprawling urban landscape. In this movie, it transforms into a battleground against alien forces, captured in a state of chaos and panic. The familiar environments of the city become a surreal backdrop for an alien invasion, intensifying the sense of dread.
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Love
Amid the chaos and terror, the theme of love remains central, depicting Jarrod and Elaine's bond as they confront imminent dangers. Their relationship serves as a source of strength, enhancing the emotional stakes as they fight for survival. This love is tested against the odds, portraying resilience in the face of overwhelming fear.
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Transformation
The movie explores the theme of transformation, both physically and emotionally. Characters undergo significant changes as they grapple with alien influences and the loss of their former selves. This transformation raises questions about identity and humanity amidst an overwhelming threat, culminating in a poignant connection between love and metamorphosis.
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Survival
Survival is the driving force behind the characters' actions throughout the film. The urgency to escape the alien threat propels the narrative as they navigate treacherous situations. This theme emphasizes the instinctual nature of self-preservation while revealing the complexities of human relationships when faced with existential dangers.
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