The Darklings (1999)
A bedridden teen, a vanishing body, and a neighborhood full of secrets — The Darklings is a gripping TV mystery thriller from 1999.
The Darklings - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Jeffrey Reiner
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller, Mystery, TV Movie
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 14, 1999 (United States)
- Production Companies: Fox Family Channel, Shavick Entertainment
- Production Countries: Canada, United States of America
The Darklings - Plot
A bed-ridden teen believes he has witnessed the murder of a neighbor by another neighbor. He then recruits friends to attempt to prove the death when no body is found.
Where to Watch The Darklings
Looking for where to watch The Darklings?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Darklings - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jeffrey Reiner
Main Cast
- Suzanne Somers
- Timothy Busfield
- Ryan DeBoer
- Meghan Ory
- Ben Johnson
- Tippi Hedren
- Martin Sheen
- Tania Saulnier
- Juliana Wimbles
- Jarrod Thalheimer
Writers
- Sean Hood
- Brendan Hood
Producers
- Shawn Williamson
- James Shavick
The Darklings - FAQs
What is The Darklings about?
The Darklings follows a bedridden teenager who becomes convinced he has witnessed a neighbor commit murder — only for the body to vanish without a trace. Determined to uncover the truth, he enlists his friends to investigate, setting off a tense suburban mystery with a strong ensemble cast.
Does The Darklings have a twist ending?
The Darklings builds its suspense around the central mystery of whether a murder actually occurred. The film keeps viewers guessing as the teen protagonist and his friends dig deeper, with the resolution delivering a satisfying payoff that reframes much of what came before.
Who are the main actors in The Darklings?
The Darklings boasts a notable TV-movie cast. Suzanne Somers and Martin Sheen headline alongside Tippi Hedren and Timothy Busfield. Ryan DeBoer plays the bedridden teen at the center of the mystery, with Meghan Ory among the friends he recruits to help uncover the truth.
Is The Darklings based on a true story?
The Darklings is not based on a true story. The screenplay was written by Sean Hood and Brendan Hood as an original work of fiction. The premise — a confined teen witnessing a possible crime — draws on classic thriller conventions rather than any specific real-world event.
Who directed The Darklings?
Jeffrey Reiner directed The Darklings. Reiner is a television director with credits spanning drama and thriller productions. The film was produced by Shavick Entertainment for the Fox Family Channel and aired in February 1999.
What genre is The Darklings?
The Darklings blends several genres — Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller, and Mystery — into a single TV movie package. It leans most heavily on its mystery-thriller core, following a young protagonist's amateur investigation, while touches of horror add an unsettling edge to the suburban setting.
What are some movies similar to The Darklings?
If you enjoyed The Darklings, you might like other mystery TV movies such as Dead Man's Folly (1986), Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006), or the Aurora Teagarden Mystery series. Miss Marple adaptations and the Emma Fielding Mystery films also share that same cozy-yet-suspenseful investigative spirit.
When was The Darklings released?
The Darklings premiered on February 14, 1999, in the United States on the Fox Family Channel. The Valentine's Day release gave the film a notable air date, pairing a romantic holiday with a suspenseful murder mystery — an intriguing contrast that helped it stand out in the TV movie landscape.
More About The Darklings
Explore further details about The Darklings on these trusted resources.