The Darkest Hour (2011) presents a unique alien invasion premise where extraterrestrial beings arrive on Earth as invisible energy-based entities, attacking humanity through the global power supply. Directed by Chris Gorak, this Russian-American co-production follows five young tourists in Moscow who find themselves among the few survivors after the mysterious attack. As they navigate the deserted streets of the Russian capital, they must use their wits and scavenged technology to fight back against an enemy they can barely perceive.

The film's strongest element is its inventive visual concept of invisible aliens revealed only through electrical interference and special goggles. While the plot follows familiar survival horror beats, the Moscow setting provides fresh scenery compared to typical American-centric invasion stories. The young cast, including Emile Hirsch and Olivia Thirlby, deliver committed performances as ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, though character development sometimes takes a backseat to action sequences.

Despite its modest IMDb rating of 4.9, The Darkest Hour offers solid entertainment for fans of sci-fi horror looking for something different from standard alien invasion fare. The film's practical effects and atmospheric tension create several genuinely suspenseful moments, particularly when characters must navigate dark spaces where the invisible threat could be anywhere. While not without flaws in pacing and dialogue, the movie's creative premise and international perspective make it worth watching for genre enthusiasts seeking B-movie thrills with an interesting conceptual twist.