a review of 超级黑暗时代

Let's first get it over with: Super Dark Times is an obvious tribute to Donnie Darko, although it doesn't reach the sublimity of that cult classic. Now that we've got that out of the way, I must say I found Super Dark Times a fascinating watch, and a promising directorial debut for Kevin Phillips. The imagery, timing, music, acting, 1990s atmosphere, it all fits together very well. I found the plot to be the weak spot. I can't elaborate on it without spoiling Super Dark Times, but amidst the credible and intense emotions of the involved adolescents, there are a few unconvincing scenario decisions and especially character development decisions that slightly ruin an otherwise gripping story. Since I first saw Charlie Tahan in the enjoyable Ozark series, I've developed a soft spot for his oddball characters. I'd like to crown him as the new Crispin Glover. Lastly, I didn't really comprehend the meaning of the final scenes with the seemingly carefree girl, despite everything that happened. Did the scenes reflect her near future, showing that she had managed to leave the traumatic experience behind her? Fragments of her carefree past, before she met the others? Or was it supposed to be an alternate reality, maybe a dream? If you think you know the meaning of those final scenes, please enlighten me.