Towards Darkness

Told in the fast-paced style and disjointed storytelling of 24, this bilingual thriller follows the kidnapping of a photographer (Roberto Urbina) and the rescue mission initiated by his parents (Tony Plana, Alejandra Borrero) to find him. Towards Darkness offers some exciting car chase scenes and a dramatic conclusion with a somewhat surprising twist, but because the film moves so quickly, viewers don’t have a chance to become emotionally invested in the characters. Thus, the events that transpire aren’t especially affecting, and the film’s dramatics seem to take away from the overall message of the film, which is to spotlight the issue of kidnapping in Colombia.

Shelf Talk: Following the real-life rescue of 15 hostages from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Towards Darkness will benefit from the increased interest in the issue of South American kidnappings. The film also will garner attention from its TV-friendly cast, including Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera and Plana, who both play characters vastly different from those in the ABC comedy, as well as David Sutcliff, who will be recognizable from his roles on CSI and Gilmore Girls.