Dawning

When Chris and Aurora Benton travel north to visit their father and step-mother, they expect a normal weekend of boredom and small talk. What the siblings don't know is that a creature has been wreaking havoc on the local wildlife and farm animals, creating a volatile situation for all parties involved. When their parents do not come home after their first night in the cabin, Chris and Aurora's minds begin to break down and tension builds. As the night draws nearer and unseen responsibilities mount, hope becomes harder and harder to come by...if only they can hold out until the dawn. Shot in the style of an observational documentary, slowly morphs into a gritty, stylized suspense picture.

Directed by Gregg Holtgrewe, Tim Holtgrewe, Dawning leans on a strong ensemble — Paul Cram, Matthew Feeney, Bill Gorman — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about horror titles of 2009.