Unique updating of vampire myth

Rating: 8/10 (25 April 2008)

Every year Barrow, Alaska is subjected to 30 days of night. As this causes severe ice and cold, there is an exodus of its population to warmer climes on the final day. Sheriff Eben Oleson is troubled by his recent marriage split with Stella, who is one of those leaving town, but a strange accumulation of events prevents her going. Odd things begin to happen as the sun plummets below the horizon for a final time, all the pack dogs in town are found mutilated, the power station is shut down, the phone lines are cut, computers are down, could the troublesome stranger in the local jail be responsible, he taunts Eben, that they don't know what is happening and that THEY are coming. Based on a graphic novel, the sleeves blurb states that this is "the best vampire movie in decades" is a lot to live up to. The film starts slowly, as we are introduced to all the main characters, but once the sun goes down all hell is released in Barrow and the film picks up plenty of pace. The mysterious horde of vampires are not explained, nor is their presence there, they move with Matrixlike speed and look more like fast moving zombies than the usual Gothic fare you might be used to, it's a refreshing look, their speed adds to the doom, as escape from their clutches seems nigh on impossible as within minutes of the sheriff's warning to stay indoors, dozens of inhabitants are slaughtered in the street and feasted upon in an apocalyptic frenzy. The snowy setting is also splendidly atmospheric and rather beautiful and fitting of such a claustrophobic film. The ending leaves the possibility open for a sequel, for once I'm very interested in that.