2021 Into the Darkness
GENRE
ADVENTURE APOCALYPTIC FANTASY ACTION
Core Theme
GOOD VS. EVIL
TIME PERIOD
Contemporary
COMPARABLE TITLES
I AM LEGEND, THE WALKING DEAD
CHARACTER LIST
CARL: 50S, LEAD, LONER, MILITARY MAN, DETERMINED, BRAVE, LIGHT BEARER
JACK: 10, POWERFUL, NAÏVE, YOUNG LIGHT BEARER, CARL’S CHARGE
HAILEY: 20S, THE MOST POWERFUL LIGHT BEARER
DAVE/PETE: 20S, STRONG MORAL CODE, LIGHT BEARERS
HATAI: 1000, WRAITH, CRUEL, AMBITIOUS, LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF HIS POWERFUL FATHER
BOB: 40S, COWARDLY, CRUEL, MILITIA MAN
Logline
2021…The year the Earth was banished into the darkness. Dark wraiths swarm the surface, owning the hours of darkness, feasting on the very souls of the humans that they hunt without mercy. One man, an army veteran, possesses the power of light, the ability to fight back. Drawn to fulfill his destiny, he searches for those along his path like himself to join in the fight. His dream to gather an army of lightbearers to save those precious few souls that cling to life the hope that drives him forward.
Target Audiences
Age: 13-17,18-34,35-54,55+
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
United States
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Publisher: Self Published
Year Published: 2017
Starting Description
In the year 2021 the world goes dark, all electronics and machinery quit working, leaving humans without any of their technology. It soon becomes apparent what caused the breakdown as wraiths (grim reapers with fangs) come up from the underworld to steal the souls of the humans at night.
Ending Description
Main character and team of light bearer's travel to the final battle location and fight back against the wraiths to save humanity.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
Yes
ISBN
1976175674
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending, Meaningful Message
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Main Character Details
Name: Carl
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring, Underdog, Desperate, Empathetic, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Faithful, Honorable, Leader, Perseverance, Strong Moral Code,Selfless,Religious,Masculine,Honorable,Leader,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Hatai
Age: 1000
Gender: Male
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Confident, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Manipulative, Power-hungry, Unapologetic, Villainous, Aggressive,Villainous,Narcisstic,Secretive,Manipulative,Power Hungry
Additional Character Details
Name: Hailey
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Role: protagonist
Key Traits: Desperate, Educated, Adventurous, Aspiring, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Honorable, Leader, Modest, Beautiful, Complex,Lone Wolf,Sarcastic,Modest,Educated,Selfless,Heroic,Badass
Additional Character Details
Name: David
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Complex, Desperate, Educated, Heroic, Modest, Obedient, Adventurous, Empathetic, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Masculine, Selfless, Strong Moral Code,Honorable,Heroic,Strong Moral Code
Genre
ACTION, THRILLER, DRAMA
Brief
The power has gone out all over Earth and wraiths have come up from Hell to harvest the souls of the living. A group of survivors who possess magic light that can kill the wraiths, must find each other and prepare for an epic showdown.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: EXCELLENT
Franchise Potential: EXCELLENT
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
The profile accurately reflects the book.
Draw of Story
The apocalyptic story setting is immediately interesting to the reader.
Possible Drawbacks
The disjointed quest the characters take to get together is arduous. By the time they are all finally gathered for battle, the story wraps up so quickly and predictably that it is anti-climatic.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
Wraiths coming up from Hell to steal the souls of human survivors and a strong hook.
Fanbase Potential
This might be able to bring in a relatively large given the style and genre. It would work well as a summer popcorn movie.
Awards Potential
This would most likely not have awards potential since it lacks a real message. It is strictly escapism and entertainment value.
Envisioned Budget
LARGE BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
I AM LEGEND, THE WALKING DEAD
What’s New About the Story
Wraiths are kind of a unique choice for the villain of the story. Having mythology about the gift the light bearers possess and the lead up to the world going dark would be a way to make the story more original.
Lead Characters
Only one of the characters actually has much development. The only thing the reader really discovers about him is that he is a loner and a former military man. Characterization is certainly not the focus of the story.
Uniqueness of Story
This could be improved by speeding up the journey and allowing the group of characters to gel together into a cohesive unit before the final confrontation. Explaining what the magical light is and how the characters came to have it would also be a welcome addition.
Possible Formats
Film - Indie, Film - Studio, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
It is worth considering given that it is an incredibly marketable concept.
Brief
With the earth plunged into darkness, wraiths come up from Hell to harvest human souls. Only the few given the gift of magic light stand a chance against the wraiths. Drawn together by their magic, the light bearers engage in an epic battle with the wraiths to save humanity.
What We Liked
Wraiths take the place of vampires or zombies which makes this a refreshing take on the genre. The age old story of good versus evil makes this relatable and appealing.
Film: A feature adaptation of the story would need the pace adjusted to allow the characters to come together more quickly and prepare to go up against the wraiths as a more coherent and cooperative group. There is also franchise potential.
TV: This could be adapted for a television series style format as it follows the travels of the lead character in his fight against the wraiths from Hell.
Key points: Universal theme of good vs. evil; Magic; Special effects; Potential franchise opportunity; Battle sequences
Synopsis
In the year 2021, Earth has been thrown into darkness. Shrieking wraiths have emerged from Hell to steal human souls.Humans are only safe from the wraiths in daylight and many have already been killed. Survivors must hide in the darkness, but some of them have been given the power to manifest magical light that can kill the wraiths. Carl, a loner and military veteran, bears such light. He decides to venture out into danger to fulfill his destiny of destroying the wraiths. He knows that there must be others like him so he sets out to find them. As he follows his instincts, he leaves behind clues along the way, hoping that the others will find him. He takes refuge in a barn where he meets Ted and his son, Jack. Ted is suspicious of Carl, even though Jack possesses the magical light too and can benefit from Carl’s guidance. Ted sends Carl on his way the next day, but when Carl sees that wraiths are on their way to kill Ted and Jack, he doubles back in an effort to save them. It is too late for Ted, but Carl is able to save Jack. He takes him under his wing and they travel together.
Other light bears, Dave and Pete, sense Carl. They follow his clues as they make their way towards him. Meanwhile, Hailey, a very powerful light bearer, is also traveling with a group and trying to fight off wraiths. When she begins to sense Carl as well, she starts to lead her group in her direction. News of Hailey’s immense power has spread. Bob and his militiamen hold her and her friends hostage and plan to use them to begin repairing all that has been lost on Earth. Hatai, the leader of the wraiths, has ambitions to take over the power of Heaven, Earth and Hell. As he creates a fog that allows him and the wraiths to hunt in the daylight. He believes if he can lure all the light bearers to a battle, he will be able to defeat them and take their magic.
Finally all three groups of light bearers manage to unite with each other. They defeat Bob and the militiamen, but sadly lose some of Hailey’s group in the process. Carl, Jack and Hailey work together with the others to prepare for a final battle with Hatai and the wraiths. The wraiths all file into a large stadium to do battle. The light bearers merge their magic together and are able to defeat the wraiths, vaporizing them and sending the rest back to Hell. The victorious light bearers have saved the world and can now look forward to a bright future as a newly formed family.