Pitch Black

Critics Consensus

Despite an interesting premise (and a starmaking turn from Vin Diesel), Pitch Black is too derivative and formulaic to fully recommend to sci-fi or action fans.

59%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 111

77%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 278,646

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Movie Info

When their ship crashes on an unexplored planet, the survivors of the crash soon discover that this planet that is normally always day is going to soon be in a state of eclipse that will bring out deadly nocturnal creatures. Will a prison convict (Vin Diesel) being transported on the ship end up being the one man who can lead the survivors off the planet?
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Gore|Sci-Fi Violence)
  • Genre:
    sci fi, horror
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    David Twohy
  • Producer:
    Tom Engelman
  • Writer:
    Jim Wheat, Ken Wheat, David Twohy
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $39.2M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Gramercy Pictures, Intrepid Pictures, Interscope Communications
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Radha Mitchell
Fry
Vin Diesel
Riddick
Cole Hauser
Johns
Keith David
Imam
Lewis Fitz-Gerald
Paris
Claudia Black
Shazza
Rhiana Griffith
Jack, Jackie
John Moore
John "Zeke" Ezekiel
Simon Burke
Owens
Les Chantery
Suleiman
Graeme Revell
Original Music
David Twohy
Director
Jim Wheat
Writer (Story)
Ken Wheat
Writer (Story)
Jim Wheat
Screenwriter
Ken Wheat
Screenwriter
David Twohy
Screenwriter
Tom Engelman
Producer
Ted Field
Executive Producer
Scott Kroopf
Executive Producer
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News & Interviews for Pitch Black

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Weekly Ketchup: Vin Diesel to Star in Big Screen Version of Kojak
A Third Installment for The Chronicles of Riddick?
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Critic Reviews for Pitch Black

All Critics (111) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (45)

  • Pitch Black falters a bit in its last half-hour-the film's darkest moment reduces Diesel to delivering a pithy one-liner-but for the most part, it's terrific.

    October 17, 2018 | Full Review…

    Nathan Rabin

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • David Twohy's film undoubtedly has something interesting about it, and that something can be summarised in two words: Vin Diesel.

    October 17, 2018 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • A smart, suspenseful sci-fi movie from director Twohy, whose underrated 1996 film, The Arrival, also brought visual imagination and intelligence to the genre.

    June 24, 2006 | Full Review…

    Derek Adams

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The script is a compendium of science-fiction clichs, familiar in Hollywood movies since the early fifties.

    March 22, 2002 | Rating: 2/4

    Liam Lacey

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • It is an entertainment and quite a good one too.

    April 17, 2001 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Anwar Brett

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • Made to please those who can't get enough rote, cheesy sci-fi, Pitch Black promises to make us long for the glory days of Species 2 and Deepstar Six.

    January 1, 2000

    Chris Vognar

    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (111)

Audience Reviews for Pitch Black

  • 20h ago
    The movie that put Vin Diesel on the map as Riddick, the crooked anti-hero wanted by bounty hunters. This is another movie that benefits from knowing very little before watching the film.
    Mark B Super Reviewer
  • Feb 23, 2016
    Not as good as I was hoping for, I did enjoy the story, But the acting wasn't great and it was poorly edited, The effects were very dated but it did have some ok action but apart from that there's nothing really to remember.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Apr 15, 2015
    One of those few movies that most people don't care for, but I personally think is CRIMINALLY underrated.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 05, 2013
    Average action film starring Vin Diesel, that being said, I didn't expect much from Pitch Black, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although lacking in effective storytelling, this film boasts enough action to keep you interested from start to finish. The film is good for what it tries to accomplish, but if you're looking for a well structured film with a great story, you'll sadly be disappointed. The plot is decent at best, but it never is anything memorable. The film succeeds at being an action extravaganza and it is a fun and entertaining one at that. Diesel is good in the role, but I'll be honest, he's just not a good actor, but here he's more suited for these types of roles and he manages to have a good on-screen presence here. Pitch Black has its flaws, but is worth seeing if you enjoy mindless action Sci Fi films. The other performances are good, but not great, and the film relies on array of effects to really set the tone of the film. Pitch Black is good, mindless entertainment; however it could have been much better. With a few script rewrites, this film really could have stood, and be a memorable action film. In the end, it falls short of its potential, and never realizes what it should have been. This picture could really have a highly memorable movie, but due to a lacking script, a cast of average actors, it's a movie leaves a lot to be desired. In other words, Pitch Black is a film from a specific audience. I love action films, but I feel that despite its premise, it should have been a much better movie than what we got. As it is, it's mindless popcorn entertainment. Nonetheless despite its imperfections, I liked the film, and I didn't expect to really enjoy it. Vin Diesel fans will surely enjoy this movie, and the action is good despite everything else.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
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