30 Days of Night 2007

In the isolated town of Barrow, Alaska, situated on the Arctic Circle, residents are bracing themselves for the annual “30 Days of Night,” a dark winter period where the sun will not rise. As this unique time approaches, many choose to leave for the sunnier Fairbanks or other southern locales. Amidst the preparations, a mysterious figure known as The Stranger, portrayed by Ben Foster, arrives by boat and begins a sinister campaign to wreak havoc on the town.

With the local sheriff, Eben Oleson, played by Josh Hartnett, keenly investigating sabotage, he soon discovers that his estranged wife, Stella, played by Melissa George, has missed the last flight out. This unexpected reunion brings tension as they both confront the looming danger that comes with the darkness. After an intense encounter with The Stranger in a diner, they manage to subdue him and take him to the station house, but not before he taunts them about the impending doom.

Just as the town begins to comprehend the magnitude of their situation, vampires launch a horrific assault on the telecommunications center, plunging Barrow into total darkness and isolation from the outside world. Within this grim context, Eben discovers a gruesome sight—an operator’s head mounted on a pike, igniting a determination in him and Stella to uncover the source of the terror beleaguering their home.

Led by the ancient and malevolent Marlow, skillfully acted by Danny Huston, the vampires wreak havoc, killing nearly indiscriminately and revealing their monstrous nature, as they require beheading to be truly killed. In a desperate attempt to survive, the townsfolk gather in the local diner, where strategies for safety are weighed heavily against the visceral fear of the undead encroaching on their shelter.

As days pass, Eben, Stella, and their small band of survivors find refuge in a hidden attic of a former resident’s house. They wrestle with their choices under growing tension, as they face the reality of dwindling hope and increasing casualties among their ranks. Eben learns that creative solutions, such as utilizing the blizzard for cover, may provide a route to safety, yet the fight becomes increasingly dire with each passing moment.

In a pivotal scene, Eben risks everything to reach his grandmother’s house filled with hazardous plants, using antibiotics to combat the vampires’ threat. His heroic efforts ultimately attract the malevolent attention of the vampires, culminating in explosive confrontations with Marlow, leading to further tragedies that test the limits of survival.

With the dawn nearing, the remaining survivors, including Stella and a young girl, find themselves cornered by flames set by the vampires to eliminate evidence of their rampage. In a moment of desperation, Eben makes the ultimate sacrifice, injecting himself with the blood of his fallen companion, transforming him into something that can face the vampires. A climactic battle ensues between him and Marlow, forcing the others to witness the horrific reality that humans can endure.

In the final moments, as light breaks over the horizon, Stella cradles Eben, grappling with the loss of humanity as he perishes in the sunlight, leaving behind a poignant reminder of their struggle against darkness, both within and outside.