Dark Country

Dark Country

Year: 2009

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

ThrillerHorrorCrimeHorror the undead and monster classicsTwisted dark psychological thriller

Two newlyweds taking a honeymoon drive stray into the desert, find a mangled car and a wounded survivor. They bring him back, but his presence quickly turns hostile, leading the couple into a deadly struggle where they are forced to take drastic, unimaginable actions to survive.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Dark Country (2009)

Trace every key event in Dark Country (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Honeymoon trip begins at night

Newlyweds Dick and Gina set out for their desert honeymoon, driving through the night to beat the heat. A roadside stranger warns them to avoid getting lost and to stick to the Interstate, casting a wary tone over the journey.

Night Nevada desert highway
2

Wrong turn and a private moment

They realize they’re heading the wrong way and move off the highway onto a secluded desert road. Dick switches off the headlights to drive by starlight, while Gina experiences a private intimate moment in the isolation.

Night Desert back road
3

Discovery of an injured stranger

Dick turns the car back on and swerves to avoid a figure in the road. They discover a man severely injured in a car crash and, unable to get a signal, decide to drive him toward a hospital despite the remote route.

Night Desert road
4

The stranger's instability

During the drive, the injured man awakens and becomes increasingly erratic, asking for a cigarette and muttering threats. He tries to strangle Dick, sparking a violent struggle that spills out of the car.

Night Desert road
5

Murder and burial

Dick defeats the man with a rock and both spouses decide to dispose of the body. They bury him in a shallow grave, and Gina fills the hole while Dick discovers a revolver in her handbag, hinting at danger in their relationship.

Night Desert burial site
6

Rest area stop and missing watch

The couple arrives at a rest area with several parked cars and clean themselves up while arguing. Dick discovers his watch is missing from the burial, and Gina waits with a gun, refusing to go back.

Night Rest area, desert
7

Grave site mystery and disappearances

Dick returns to the burial site only to find the grave empty and hear gunshots as Gina vanishes. He notices a nearby grave and sees that the other cars around the area are rusted and abandoned.

Night Desert burial site near rest area
8

Pursued by the law

In a panic he flees and nearly collides with a deputy sheriff. He ends up in the back of a patrol car as police drive him to a crime scene where authorities are excavating murder victims from a mass grave.

Night Desert road to police scene
9

The rest area past revealed

The deputy explains this is the rest area from 30 years ago, and Dick realizes this is the spot where he buried the stranger. Gina’s body is exhumed, and the deputy finds Dick’s watch, linking past and present.

Night Mass grave site
10

Escape and desert chase

Dick kicks his way out of the patrol car and escapes, joining a chase across the desert with the pursuing police. He drives off into the night, trying to outrun his pursuers.

Night Desert roads
11

Desert crash and collapse

With the lights off, he loses the pursuing squad and encounters a swarm of insects that cause him to lose control. The car rolls, he is thrown clear, and nearly gets hit by another oncoming vehicle.

Night Desert road
12

The twist: the stranger was him

Some time later, Dick wakes up in the back of his own car, listening to a fight between him and Gina and realizes he was the mysterious stranger he fought and killed earlier, completing the night’s eerie loop.

Some time later Inside the car, desert

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:51

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Dark Country Summary

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Dark Country Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Dark Country

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More About Dark Country

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