Synopsis For Monsters: Dark Continent

Gareth Edwards 2010, low-budget debut Monsters is a beautifully told romance set within a sci-fi setting. The film is set six years after an alien invasion and parts of America and Mexico are now ‘Infected Zones’. The focus is on the story of a man and woman, played by real-life couple Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able, who must travel through the zone to make it to safety.

The film was made with practically no money and the special effects were done by Edwards on his home computer using programmes he bought off the shelf. Needless to say the film is something quite special.

Well, it’s sequel time and here is the official synopsis for Monsters: Dark Continent. 

Seven years on from the events of Monsters, and the ‘Infected Zones’ have spread worldwide. Humans have been knocked off the top of the food chain, with disparate communities struggling for survival. American soldiers are being sent abroad to protect US interests from the Monsters, but the war is far from being won.

Noah, a haunted soldier with several tours under his belt, is sent on a mission: an American soldier has gone rogue deep in the Infected Zone, and Noah must reach him and take him out. But when Noah’s unit and transport are destroyed, he finds himself with only a young and inexperienced cadet for company – the brother of the man Noah has been sent to kill.

The two soldiers must go on a life-altering journey through the dark heart of monster territory, accompanied by a young local woman to guide them. By the time the three of them reach their goal, they will have been forced to confront the fear that the true monsters on the planet may not be alien after all.

Sounds pretty different to the subtle, low-dialogue, independent-feel of the first film. Dark Continent has some obvious parallels with Apocalypse Now and some elements that sound somewhat cliché, most notably the brother of his target being his accomplice.

Still, the world set up by the first film has a lot of potential for storytelling and I look forward to seeing what this sequel can bring to the alien invasion table.

The film is set for release next year.