Greetings again from the darkness. Director Gore Verbinski has a diverse oeuvre of films dating back almost thirty years. His work includes the first three “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, the horror film THE RING (2002), the animated Oscar-winning RANGO (2011), THE LONE RANGER (2013), and the eerie A CURE FOR WELLNESS (2016). This is his first film in almost a decade. It’s written by Matthew Robinson (LOVE AND MONSTERS, 2020), and it’s bonkers.
The patrons of late-night diner Norm’s in Los Angeles are interrupted by a rumpled man who claims to be the from the future (Oscar winner Sam Rockwell). His stated mission is to assemble a group of seven diners to help him save the world by stopping a young boy who is programming AI to destroy the world. If you don’t believe him, he has a bomb strapped to his body … are you paying attention now? The man from the future claims he’s been in this same diner more than 100 times and the mission has failed each time, yet he’s back and this time his chosen team includes teachers Zazie Beetz and Michael Pena, Asim Chaudhry, grieving mother Juno Temple, and depressed Haley Lu Richardson who happens to be wearing a tattered princess costume.
Flashbacks are used to provide backstories on some of these characters, and mostly they face crazy and dangerous obstacles as they proceed through the night under future-man’s leadership. Along the way, the film harps on our current obsession with smart phones and technology, while also acknowledging the overwhelming emotions of the political landscape. The dark comedy and frenetic action are a bit exhausting to watch, but the cast is so talented and loaded that we stick with it.
Verbinski delivers a film that is busy and chaotic fun, except when it’s serious – then it’s just busy and chaotic. Rockwell carries much of the film and his blend of energy, wisecracks, and sincerity are a perfect fit for someone looking to stop the AI apocalypse. You may or may not love the film, but it’s doubtful anyone will label it as boring.
In theaters beginning February 13, 2026
Movie Reviews from the Dark 