The story begins with two young American entrepreneurs, Sean (Emile Hirsch) and Ben (Max Minghella), traveling to Moscow to pitch their business idea. However, they discover that a Russian competitor has stolen their idea. Disheartened, they decide to drown their sorrows at a nightclub.
While at the nightclub, a sudden power outage occurs, and the patrons rush outside to investigate. They witness strange auroras in the sky, which turn out to be an extraterrestrial invasion. Invisible and lethal alien beings start attacking and disintegrating people on contact.
Sean, Ben, and two women they meet, Natalie (Olivia Thirlby) and Anne (Rachael Taylor), survive the initial attack and seek refuge in Moscow. The survivors discover that the aliens are sensitive to electricity and can be temporarily revealed using electronic devices.
As the group navigates the abandoned city, they encounter other survivors, including Skyler (Joel Kinnaman). Together, they devise a plan to escape Moscow and potentially find safety elsewhere. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, including alien encounters and the harsh Russian winter.
The survivors discover a hidden bunker that holds a potential solution to the alien threat. They work to implement a plan to fight back against the extraterrestrial invaders. The climax of the film involves a confrontation with the aliens and the implementation of their plan to turn the tide.
In the end, the survivors succeed in repelling the aliens, but the film concludes on a somewhat open note, leaving room for interpretation regarding the broader global situation and the fate of humanity.
“The Darkest Hour” received mixed reviews, with praise for its unique concept and visual effects but criticism for its character development and plot execution. The film explores the theme of survival in the face of an otherworldly threat and showcases the characters’ resourcefulness in adapting to the alien invasion.