What Is In Darkness About?
The premise of In Darkness in 275 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a muted London flat, a solitary world of nocturnal concerts and quiet routines centers on a gifted pianist who has lived without sight since a childhood tragedy. The apartment’s modest walls hold the echo of a life carefully ordered, yet a lingering sense of loss colors every keystroke, hinting at secrets that have never been spoken aloud.
Below her door lives a young woman whose family name is tangled in the shadowy history of a distant conflict. Veronique moves through the same hallway, her presence a reminder of a past that stretches beyond the city’s soot‑soaked streets. Her father, a charismatic philanthropist with a reputation that blurs the line between benefactor and power broker, casts a long, unsettling influence over those who cross his path.
When a sudden, shocking murder pierces the quiet of the building, the pianist is thrust from her insulated existence into a murky investigation. Detective Mills arrives, probing the incident with a mix of professional curiosity and personal intrigue. As questions mount, the pianist finds herself drawn deeper into the tangled web surrounding Veronique’s family, where whispers of war‑time atrocities and organized crime linger in every conversation.
The film swims in a tone of restrained tension, where the muted notes of a piano become a metaphor for the protagonist’s concealed perception of the world. Subtle alliances form, and fragile trust glimmers amidst an atmosphere thick with danger and unanswered questions. In this grey‑toned London, the line between victim and participant blurs, leaving the audience to wonder how far the pursuit of truth will carry a woman whose greatest strength has always been her ability to hear what others cannot see.
What Happens in In Darkness?
The complete story of In Darkness, from the first scene to the last, in 794 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Sofia McKendrick, Natalie Dormer, is a blind pianist living in a small London apartment, and her days are shaped by a trauma she hasn’t fully processed—the massacre of her family at the hands of Serbian paramilitaries. She moves through her world with quiet precision, relying on memory, sound, and routine to navigate a city that feels both intimate and perilous.
Her next‑door neighbor, Veronique, Emily Ratajkowski, is the daughter of the Serbian philanthropist Zoran Radic, a man suspected of running criminal networks. Despite the danger that surrounds Veronique’s lineage, the two women maintain a seemingly cordial if uneasy friendship. In a brief elevator exchange, Veronique slips Sofia a USB drive and murmurs something about a perfume that she calls “Liquid Gold.”
Liquid Gold
Soon after, Sofia witnesses Veronique fall to her death during a struggle in Veronique’s room. She does not tell the police detective Oscar Mills what she saw, and she hides the USB drive as the investigation begins to circle around Radic and his associates.
At a public event hosted by Zoran Radic, Sofia overhears a tense exchange between Radic, his head of security Alexandra Gordon Kim Adis and her brother Marc Ed Skrein. They acknowledge Veronique’s pregnancy and reveal that Marc was sent to kill her; the tension hints at a deeper network of motives and loyalties behind Veronique’s death. Radic’s world feels increasingly close to Sofia, and she finds herself dodging both investigators and the eyes of Radic’s men as they probe Veronique’s apartment.
Marc rescues Sofia from an attempted assault and kidnapping, and the two form a complicated bond that blossoms into an affair. Through Marc, Sofia learns that Veronique’s death may have been driven by a mix of paranoia and fear rather than a clear‑cut suicide. As their relationship deepens, Sofia discovers a path toward striking back at Radic—but she does so in collaboration with her adopted father, Niall, a former soldier who once rescued her as a child. She entrusts Niall with the USB drive and uses the password “Liquid Gold” to unlock a trove of Radic’s assets and operations, a discovery that reframes Sofia’s own past and what she might become.
Sofia’s memories begin to intertwine with Balma Lexi Benbow-Hart, her sister who could see yet pretended to be blind for Sofia’s sake. Long‑hidden family histories surface: the two sisters grew up among Radic’s circles in Bosnia, where Radic betrayed them and unleashed the paramilitary massacre that shaped Sofia’s life. Veronique had planned to expose her father’s crimes and had given Sofia the drive to do so.
As the USB contents draw Alexandra into a dangerous calculus—seeking to seize Radic’s operations for herself—Sofia trades a copy of the drive to Alexandra in exchange for a photo that identifies Alexandra and for a private audience with Radic at Veronique’s funeral. The exchange is tense, and Alexandra delivers a copy of the photo to Radic at the ceremony, setting in motion a confrontation that may topple them both. Sofia confronts Radic, who confronts her with a confession: he had loved Sofia’s mother and, in a brutal act, raped her, believing Sofia might be his daughter. The revelation devastates Sofia, leaving her to face a complicated matrix of guilt, revenge, and a blood bond she cannot ignore.
Detective Mills investigates Sofia’s past more deeply and uncovers that the name “Sofia” is an alias—an identity forged from Niall’s own history and the memory of his biological daughter who died in infancy. The truth ripples outward, and Niall himself soon dies in a hospital bed, his death tightening the noose around Radic and his operatives.
Radic learns of Alexandra’s treachery and orders her death; Marc, torn between loyalty and guilt, abandons Alexandra for her role in a child’s death. Radic arrives at Sofia’s apartment intent on killing her, but Marc rushes in to defend her. Mills, watching from a distance, realizes Sofia had carefully studied Marc’s wanted poster and races toward the apartment to intervene. In the ensuing struggle, Marc decimates Radic’s guards, but Radic overpowers Sofia and closes in for a fatal strike. As Sofia fights to stab Radic, Marc arrives at the last moment, shoving Radic out of the window and leaving him impaled on a spiked fence below.
In the final, shocking twist, it’s revealed that Sofia was never blind after all—Balma was the one who lived Sofia’s life, while the real Sofia was killed during the Bosnian massacre. Balma had assumed Sofia’s identity for years, feigning blindness to protect the truth she carried. With Radic’s death and the truth uncovered, Marc urges Balma to run, taking the fall for Radic’s death himself, and Balma flees the scene as police arrive, leaving Sofia’s past and present forever tangled in the consequences of a single, devastating act of violence.
In Darkness Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Sofia's traumatic life in London” to “Climax: the apartment confrontation and Balma's reveal”. 9 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Sofia's traumatic life in London
Sofia McKendrick lives as a blind pianist in a London apartment, haunted by the massacre of her family by Serbian paramilitaries. The trauma shapes her perception of safety and trust, even as she pursues music. Her everyday life is quiet but tense, underscored by a dangerous past she keeps to herself.
Where:London apartment
- 2
The elevator exchange and the USB
In a tense elevator conversation, Veronique discreetly slips Sofia a USB drive and mentions a clue called 'Liquid Gold'. The moment plants the seeds of a dangerous connection between Sofia and Veronique’s hidden world. Sofia only partially grasps the implications as she pockets the drive.
Where:Elevator
- 3
Veronique's death and Sofia's denial
Sofia witnesses Veronique fall to her death after a struggle in Veronique's room. She denies witnessing anything to Detective Mills and keeps the USB drive hidden, wary of implicating herself. The room and the mystery around Veronique's fate begin to draw Sofia deeper into Radic's orbit.
Where:Veronique's room
- 4
Radic's scheme overheard at a hosted event
While performing at an event hosted by Zoran Radic, Sofia overhears Radic and his associates discussing Veronique's death and imply his involvement. The overheard conversation reveals a larger network and raises the stakes for Sofia's safety. The performance becomes a backdrop to dangerous intrigue.
When:during performance Where:Radic-hosted event
- 5
Alexandra and Marc reveal Veronique's pregnancy and motive
In Veronique's apartment, Alexandra Gordon and her brother Marc discuss Veronique's pregnancy and imply Marc was sent to kill Veronique. The conversation hints at paternity and a hidden threat behind Veronique's death. The complex web of loyalties tightens around Sofia.
Where:Veronique's apartment
- 6
Sofia dodges pursuit by police and Radic's men
Radic becomes fixated on Sofia as a link to Veronique, and Sofia finds herself dodging police inquiries and Radic's men combing Veronique's apartment. The chase pushes Sofia to move carefully and leverage the USB drive's secret to stay ahead. Trust becomes a precious commodity.
- 7
Marc rescues Sofia and they form a dangerous bond
Marc rescues Sofia from an attempted assault and kidnapping, and the two form a tense, impulsive bond. As their relationship deepens, Sofia learns that Veronique may have committed suicide out of paranoia rather than being murdered. The connection with Marc reveals a personal and dangerous alliance.
- 8
Sofia partners with Niall to expose Radic
Sofia aligns with her adopted father Niall, a former soldier who rescued her as a child. She hands him the USB drive, with 'Liquid Gold' as the password, hoping to uncover Radic's assets and operations. The plan pivots on turning the drive into leverage against Radic's criminal empire.
- 9
Balma's tragic Bosnia backstory
Sofia recounts Balma, her sister who could see but pretended blindness for Sofia's sake. The family had been friends with Radic in Bosnia, but Radic betrayed them, leading to a massacre. Balma's memories and identity play a crucial role in understanding Sofia's true lineage.
When:flashback Where:Bosnia
- 10
Veronique's plan to expose Radic
Veronique reveals she planned to expose her father's crimes and believes Sofia can carry out the disclosure with the USB drive. The plan ties Veronique's fate to Sofia's, adding a personal stake to the pursuit of justice. The motive for Sofia's actions becomes clearer as history intertwines with the present.
Show the other 5 events of In Darkness Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Funeral negotiations and the photo leverage
At Veronique's funeral, Sofia negotiates with Alexandra, trading a copy of a revealing photo for a private audience with Radic. She uses the threat of releasing USB information to pressure Alexandra, who in turn passes a copy to Radic. The funeral becomes a stage for shifting loyalties and dangerous bargains.
Where:Veronique's funeral
- 12
Radic's reckoning and Mills' inquiry begins
Radic realizes the depth of Sofia's past as she confronts him, claiming to know the truth about her mother. He asserts a painful, violent past and suggests Sofia might be his daughter. Detective Mills intensifies his inquiry into Sofia's history, uncovering that 'Sofia' is an alias named after Niall's deceased daughter, deepening the mystery.
- 13
Mills learns the alias; Niall dies
Mills traces Sofia's true identity and discovers the alias rooted in Niall's late daughter. Parallel to the mounting revelations, Niall dies in the hospital, removing Sofia's strongest confidant and complicating her planned reveal against Radic. The investigation closes in on Sofia's hidden past.
Where:Hospital
- 14
Radic eliminates Alexandra; Marc makes a choice
Radic unmasks Alexandra's treachery and orders her death, while Marc sides with Sofia by abandoning Alexandra for involvement in her unborn child's fate. The shifting loyalties signal an irreversible fracture within Radic's inner circle. The stakes escalate as chaos surrounds those who crossed Radic.
- 15
Climax: the apartment confrontation and Balma's reveal
Radic arrives to kill Sofia, but Marc intervenes and a violent struggle erupts. In the aftermath, Mills' surveillance reveals previous moves, and Marc shoves Radic out a window, killing him. A final twist reveals that Sofia was never blind—Balma, not Sofia, survived the massacre and stole her identity. Marc urges Balma to run, and Sofia flees into the night before the police arrive.
Where:Sofia's apartment
Who Are the Main Characters in In Darkness?
8 characters, among them Sofia McKendrick (Natalie Dormer), Veronique (Emily Ratajkowski) and Marc (Ed Skrein): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 7 of them link to the actor’s page.
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Sofia McKendrick (Natalie Dormer)
Played by Natalie Dormer
A blind pianist residing in London, Sofia is traumatized by her family’s murder but harbors a secret past that fuels her vendetta against Radic. Her interactions reveal a web of manipulation, secrecy, and a relentless pursuit of truth. The twist that she is Balma reframes her motives and exposes a deeper family history.
- 🔎 Truth
- 💔 Identity
- 🧭 Revenge
-
Veronique (Emily Ratajkowski)
Played by Emily Ratajkowski
Veronique is Zoran Radic’s daughter and a pregnant insider who plans to expose her father’s crimes. She provides Sofia with the USB drive, hinting at a larger conspiracy. Her death triggers Sofia’s quest and unravels the dangerous web surrounding Radic.
- 🔎 Truth
- 💔 Family
- 💼 Wealth
-
Marc (Ed Skrein)
Played by Ed Skrein
Radic’s head of security, torn between loyalty and self-preservation. He has an affair with Veronique and is connected to her death, initially assigned to kill her but later becomes entangled in Sofia’s plan, rescuing her at a key moment. He ultimately bears responsibility for Radic’s death when push comes to shove.
- ⚔️ Loyalty
- 💔 Infidelity
- 🕵️ Crime
-
Zoran Radic (Jan Bijvoet)
Played by Jan Bijvoet
A Bosnian War-era war criminal turned powerful crime lord whose wealth and influence drive a brutal empire. He claims a dark history with Sofia’s mother and suspects Sofia as his daughter, manipulating events to protect his interests. His confrontation with Sofia culminates in a violent downfall.
- 💼 Power
- 🗡️ Crime
- 🕰️ War-crime
-
Niall (James Cosmo)
Played by James Cosmo
Sofia’s adoptive father, a veteran soldier who rescued her as a child. He collaborates with Sofia to uncover Radic’s assets and operations and dies in the hospital, leaving a legacy that fuels Sofia’s resolve.
- 🛡️ Guardian
- 💔 Father
- 🏥 War-veteran
- DO
DI Oscar Mills (Neil Maskell)
Played by Neil Maskell
A detective investigating Sofia’s past, Mills uncovers that ‘Sofia’ is an alias linked to Niall’s lost daughter. He follows the clues through surveillance and police procedure, gradually tying together the truth behind the family betrayals.
- 🕵️ Detective
- 🔎 Investigation
- 🏛️ Police
- AG
Alexandra Gordon
Radic’s head of security, Alexandra is involved in Veronique’s pregnancy revelation and schemes to leverage the USB drive for Radic’s benefit. Her treachery is ultimately exposed, and Radic orders her death.
- 🕵️ Security
- 💔 Betrayal
- ⚖️ Power
- OP
Orthodox Priest
Played by Olegar Fedoro
A minor character who appears in funeral or church scenes, providing ritual silence amid violence and deception.
- 🙏 Religion
- 🕊️ Ritual
Where and When Is In Darkness Set?
In Darkness is set in London and United Kingdom (Present-day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present-day
The events unfold in contemporary London, anchored in today’s urban crime dynamics. A USB drive acts as a catalyst for truth, linking past crimes to current danger. The era is defined by modern technology, investigations, and personal vendettas.
Where
London, United Kingdom
Set in modern London, the story centers on Sofia’s apartment life and the shadowy links between crime networks and elites. The city’s venues and social circles provide a claustrophobic backdrop for secrets and lies as Veronique’s death unfolds. The urban environment amplifies tension through surveillance, betrayal, and a vendetta that crosses social borders.
- 🏙️ Urban London
- 🕵️ Crime
- 🎭 Drama
What Are the Themes of In Darkness?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity, Power and Trauma.
-
01
Identity
Identity lies at the heart of the plot, as Sofia's supposed blindness masks a buried past. The revelation that she is Balma reframes her motives and relationships. The film uses memory and disguise to explore how personal truth can be constructed or concealed.
-
02
Power
Power and corruption drive the narrative, with Radic’s wealth shaping violence and control. The security network, family betrayals, and political influence reveal how the powerful manipulate systems. The pursuit of justice becomes a personal vendetta as characters fight for survival.
-
03
Trauma
Trauma threads through every choice, from family massacres to intimate betrayals. The past leaks into the present as memories resurface and shape loyalties. The film uses emotional strain to motivate risk-taking and survival.
What Kind of Film Is In Darkness?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and emotionally heavy thriller where a pianist feigning blindness uncovers devastating wartime secrets, leading to a suspenseful quest for revenge in a world of corruption and danger.
- tense
- suspenseful
- melancholic
- paranoid
- gritty
- revenge-driven
- revenge
- war crimes
- criminal investigation
- hidden identity
Content notes: murder, sexual assault, war crimes, suicide, family death, kidnapping.
Quiz
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