30 Days of Night (Exclusive Series) (Hulu)

Initial release date: October 19, 2007

Studios: Sony-Columbia/Dark Horse Entertainment/Ghost House Pictures

Plot: In the far Northern Hemisphere, the small town of Barrow, Alaska experiences a solid month of darkness every year. Though most of the residents head south for the winter, some townspeople remain behind. However, those that stay regret their decision when, one year, hungry vampires descend on Barrow to feed. Sheriff Eben, his wife and a dwindling band of survivors must try to last until dawn breaks over Barrow’s month-long twilight.

Cast

Josh Hartnett (Wrath of Man) - Eben Oleson

Melissa George (Apple’s The Mosquito Coast) - Stella

Danny Huston (Angel Has Fallen) - Marlow

Ben Foster (Leave No Trace) - The Stranger

Mark Boone Junior - Beau Brower

Mark Rendall (Peacock’s Departure) - Jake Oleson

Amber Sainsbury - Denise

Manu Bennett (Hobbit trilogy) - Billy Kitka

Megan Franich (Judy Moody …) - Iris

Joel Tobeck (Mortal Engines) - Doug Hertz

Elizabeth Hawthorne (Adrift) - Lucy Ikos

Nathaniel Lees (Moral Engines) - Carter Davies

Craig Hall (Hobbit Desolation of Smaug) - Wilson

Writer(s): Steve Niles (30 Days of Night: Dark Days)

Stuart Beattie (I, Frankenstein)

Brian Nelson (Devil)

Director: David Slade (Twilight Saga: Eclipse)

Rated R for strong horror violence and language (113 minutes)

‘30 Days of Night’ is a suspense-filled, scary vampire flick that will easily entertain you. The vampire make up and effects are really awesome and act like actual vampires - NOT the “vampires” that sparkle from ‘Twilight.’

Throughout most of the 2007 vampire flick, there are quite a few gripping thrills, and, yes, some bloody moments. Granted, there are a few parts that slow the movie down a bit. But, all of the vampire action makes up for it.

So, if you’re looking for a dark, vampire flick make sure to check out this underrated gem on Hulu and Peacock. You can also rent it online through various online rental services.

Here are some interesting tidbits about ‘30 Days of Night’:

• The vampires speak a completely original language. It was created for the film with the help of a linguistics professor at a New Zealand university.

• Steve Niles originally conceived the story as a film. After years of rejection by studios, it was reworked into a comic book. Eventually, a studio that rejected the original screenplay went for the comic version.

• Shot in New Zealand. Nearly half of the cast is Kiwi or Australian.

• According to David Slade, veteran director Sam Raimi was slated to direct the film when the script was in its early stages; then Raimi opted to produce instead.

• In reality, Barrow (now Utqiagvik) doesn’t see the sun for roughly 67 days, not 30 days.

• Following the publication of the ‘30 Days of Night’ comic book miniseries in 2002, studios DreamWorks, MGM and Senator International, bid in the $1 million range for the rights to a potential vampire film based on the story.

• In July 2002, Senator International (AKA Mandate Pictures) acquired the rights in a seven figure deal with Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert attached as producers.

• In February 2003, Columbia Pictures partnered with Senator International to work on the film, which was being developed under the newly established production company Ghost House Pictures.

• ‘30 Days of Night’ was released in 2,855 theaters in the US and Canada on October 19, 2007. In its opening weekend, the film grossed $15,951,902, placing first in the box office. The film grossed $39,568,996 domestic and $35,735,361 overseas - $75.3 million worldwide.

• A prequel mini series (Blood Trails) and a sequel mini series (Dust to Dust) was released in 2007 and 2008 on FEARnet.com and FEARnet OnDemand. A DVD sequel entitled ‘Dark Days’ was released on October 5, 2010.