In The Dark is a short film located within the social realism genre. The first scene is with Hannah, the protagonist, in a classroom looking glum and unobservant. We see her throughout the day, her poor concentration continues to decrease with three separate teachers having to repeat themselves for her attention. In the school bathroom, Hannah’s depression climaxes and she reaches into her denim jacket pocket and takes out a clear bag . Inside the clear bag, we see one pill which Hannah subsequently takes.

The audience start to realise that Hannah is taking drugs regularly. As the film progresses, we learn that Hannah’s mum is suffering from cancer leading to her emotional dependency as her father abandoned the family when she was at a young age. The drug taking has a detrimental effect on Hannah’s life, with her reckless and unconsidered behaviour resulting in her losing friends. At first; her friends were lenient with moods, putting it down to her tragic loss. However one year on, her friends are unable to deal with her constantly changing moods. Only one of Hannah’s friends, Sophie is able to deal with Hannah’s negativity, and therefore continues to support Hannah.

One Saturday night in November, Sophie manages to convince Hannah to come to a party with her. Hannah makes a deal which states if she goes to the party, Sophie has to try the drugs that she takes. Sophie reluctantly agrees, due to the fact that she wants to see Hannah happy again. Hannah and Sophie are at the party, with all of Hannah’s old friends being present as well. As they see Hannah enjoying herself, they feel inclined to speak to her and Hannah starts to feel she is back to normality. Yet, towards the end of the party Hannah gives one of her drugs to Sophie, which Sophie, in her drunken state, quickly swallows. Around 15 minutes after, while all the girls are dancing, Sophie suddenly collapses. Hannah bursts into tears, panics and reaches for her phone to ring 999. The ambulance crew arrive 10 minutes later, stating that Hannah is unconscious after taking a Class A drug. Police arrive soon after and start asking where the drug came from. Hannah stays quiet, but feels so guilty that she has done this to her loyal friend.

 

Hannah decides to visit Sophie in hospital the next day, where she realises that her friend is in intensive care, in a critical condition. The guilt overwhelms Hannah, resulting in her debating suicide. Hannah arrives home, to find nobody is in. Being alone and not knowing what to do, Hannah sees a rope slung over the kitchen chair and she knew immediately what she wanted to do…