7.5
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Dark Skies
1996·Show
Where to watch
No stream option in US yet.
What's your score?
Dark Skies fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, no humor.
Energy
Nerve-racking
- Tension9
- Adrenaline6
- Fast Pace5
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Melancholy6
- Wonder5
- Pathos4
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Satire & Parody1
- Dark Humor1
World
Politics, history, and mystery
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Novelty7
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
- Intrigue9
- Complexity8
- Direction7
Style
Functional look and sound
- Sound Centrality7
- Cinematography6
- Editing6
All energy traits
- Tension9Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline6High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence5Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare4Frightening moments and scares.
- Spectacle4Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Related traits
- Uncanny7Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Warfare5Battles, strategy, and conflict.
Heart
LowEmotionally reserved
It keeps its emotions at a distance.
All heart traits
- Melancholy6Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Wonder5Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Pathos4Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Romance3Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness3Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis3Emotional release and payoff.
- Family Dynamics3Relationships and generational ties.
- Nostalgia2Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Coming of Age2Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Related traits
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
NoneA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor1Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
World
MediumPolitics, history, and mystery
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around politics, history, and mystery. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity6Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Politics9Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Historical8Period settings and real events.
- Mystery8Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Psychological7Inner worlds and mind games.
- Tech & Humanity7Human stories in a tech world.
Craft
HighSolid, not remarkable
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
All craft traits
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity8Layered plots and ideas.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Homage & Reference5Allusions to other works.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
All style traits
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
- Cinematography6Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization5Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking
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Episode ratings
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About
History as we know it is a lie.
Dark Skies is an American UFO conspiracy theory-based sci-fi television series that aired from the 1996 to 1997 season for 18 episodes, plus a two-hour pilot episode. The success of The X-Files on Fox proved there was an audience for science fiction shows, resulting in NBC commissioning this proposed competitor following a pitch from producers Bryce Zabel and Brent Friedman. The series debuted September 21, 1996 on NBC, and was later rerun by the Sci-Fi Channel. Its tagline was "History as we know it is a lie."
UFO Conspiracy ThrillerRevisionist HistoryCold War EspionageParanoid AtmosphereSci-Fi MysteryGovernment Cover-upAlien InvasionIntriguing PremisePolitical Thriller
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Shows
Movies
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Dark Skies
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Dark Skies worth watching?
70
GoodGoodWatch scoreMostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7.5 and Rotten Tomatoes 67%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Dark Skies rated?
ViolenceDisturbing imagery
Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.
How many seasons does Dark Skies have?
1 season
It has 1 season with 19 episodes of about 60 minutes each.
Do critics and audiences agree on Dark Skies?
Critics67
Audiences75
Not quite. Audiences rate Dark Skies higher (75) than critics (67). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.
When did Dark Skies air?
S1
It ran from 1996 to 1997 and has ended.
What language is Dark Skies in?
English
It was made in English.
What tropes does Dark Skies use?
CliffhangerBad BossExposed ExtraterrestrialsBeethoven Was an Alien SpyGovernment ConspiracyReal Event, Fictional CauseAll Theories Are TrueRoswell That Ends WellFake Guest StarAll There in the ManualThe VirusHistorical Domain Characterand 10 more
TV Tropes lists 22 storytelling tropes for Dark Skies, including Cliffhanger, Bad Boss, Exposed Extraterrestrials.