The Dark

GENRE: Hard Sci-Fi. Thriller. Drama.

SUMMARY: In the near future, Dr. Hannah Walker’s gravity research earns her a post as “Acting Medical Officer” on a secret DARPA lab hidden deep inside the Aitken Crater at the moon’s south pole.

When a strong quake damages the lab, a weaponized virus goes airborne. Soon the crew fall ill, and Admiral John Billings, fearing his illegal biological weapons program will be exposed, cuts power to the base.

Hannah races a ticking clock to expose the conspiracy and defeat a virus that will wipe out millions if it escapes the quarantine.

As fellow crew members including her lover die agonizing deaths, Hannah discovers a virus capable of targeting specific genetics, in this case, Korean people. To defeat it, she must outsmart a brilliant, corrupt scientist, an undercover spy, and a team of North Korean soldiers on a rival, hidden base who are determined to save themselves after exposure.

Hannah’s final test comes when she is face-to-face with Admiral Billings who arrives hell-bent on personally pulling the trigger that kills her and completes his cover-up.

“The Dark” is a tale of moral choices and conflict among a small group of characters in a confined setting who are placed under great duress.

Backstories and relationships between crew members drive their decision making, and reflect on issues of: genocide, racial prejudice, and the perils of any arms race.

Production requires studio sets, some CGI, a few scenes in miniature and purchased footage.  A modest budget will yield high production value in a project featuring a female hero, a diverse cast, and a plot set in the near-future with strong relevance to today’s political headlines.

COVERAGE:

“A captivating sci-fi screenplay.”

“The script has a solid first act. The characters…have a defined goal with high stakes, a lot of obstacles, and a ticking clock.”

“In the second act, the plot continues to develop with a smooth flow. The characters take definitive actions to deal with their problem. At every turn, they run into obstacles, complications, and even failures. This keeps the conflict escalating and the plot advancing steadily.”

“A solid premise and focused structure suggest the script could deliver a true crowd-pleaser.”

“This is an enjoyable, professional and confidently written Science Fiction script with some really truthful elements and a strong action storyline.”

“It feels well structured and nails all the traditional story beats right on cue. Readers will want to know what happens in the end. Technical information is kept to a minimum. We know just enough to follow the story, which cleverly emphasizes character and human drama to create tension.”

“Without laying it on too thick or patronizing the reader, the story explores the senselessness of many international conflicts and the personal enrichment and corporate greed that actually ignites so many of them. The monster in this movie is Big Pharma, and as most working people today can’t afford adequate healthcare largely due to profiteering, this is a great thematic hook, and a buzz-worthy concept driving the plot. The message is well-integrated into the story.”

“We really come to care about and root for Hannah, who is a likable protagonist.”

“This futuristic concept had a compelling theme.”

“This writer has a clear ability to write dialogue that gives the characters unique personalities while also moving the plot forward and revealing exposition naturally all at the same time.”

 

— Awards and Laurels for “The Dark” —

Finalist, Hamilton Film Festival, 2018