Vin Diesel’s ‘Pitch Black’ Returns: Why You Need to Stream This Underrated Sci-Fi Gem!

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In my humble opinion as a movie critic, the controversial sci-fi film that catapulted Vin Diesel into action stardom has found its latest streaming haven. Originally premiering in 2000, this groundbreaking movie showcases a breakout performance by Diesel, and kickstarted the beloved Riddick series, where he plays the enigmatic Richard B. Riddick – a former soldier-turned-mercenary-turned-felon who ends up crash landing on an alien planet teeming with terrifying creatures that flourish in darkness. To make matters worse, a total eclipse is imminent.

Under the direction of David Twohy, who also collaborated with brothers Ken and Jim Wheat on the script, the movie titled Pitch Black showcases Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Claudia Black, and Keith David among other crew members who eventually come to depend on Diesel’s enigmatic character for their survival off the planet. With his unique ability to see in the dark thanks to his “shine jobbed” eyes, he may just manage to save them all. Currently, you can stream Pitch Black in the U.S., and for more details, take a look at the official synopsis.

Upon crashing on an unusual planet perpetually bathed in daylight, the crash survivors find themselves facing an imminent eclipse that will unleash lethal night-dwellers. Could a convict (Vin Diesel) aboard the ship ultimately emerge as the one individual who can guide the survivors to safety before their escape from this dangerous planet?

Surprisingly, ‘Pitch Black’ Holds a Rotten Score of 59% on Rotten Tomatoes

Despite currently being celebrated as a modern sci-fi action classic due to its standalone narrative and Vin Diesel’s captivating performance, “Pitch Black” received mixed reviews from critics initially. Intriguingly, this film is rated “rotten” with a score of 59% on Rotten Tomatoes. Conversely, audiences appreciated the brilliance in this solitary tale, giving “Pitch Black” a rating of 77% on the Popcornmeter.

Indeed, the world of “Pitch Black” is no longer a one-man show, as it has been enriched by sequels like “The Chronicles of Riddick” in 2004 and “Riddick” in 2013, which delved deeper into the backstory of the protagonist, Richard B. Riddick, and his universe. The long-anticipated return of Vin Diesel as Riddick is underway, with the fourth film, titled “Riddick: Furya“, currently in production.

David Twohy, along with creators Jim and Ken Wheat, will pen and direct the sci-fi action sequel once more. Vin Diesel is not only reprising his role as the lead but also serving as a producer for this project. Although we haven’t been given a specific release date yet, details about the sequel have surfaced. Titled Riddick: Furya, this installment offers an in-depth look into the character and his enigmatic past.

After a long absence, Riddick sets foot on his native planet once more, a place shrouded in mystery and potential destruction. Yet, he discovers fellow Furyans waging a battle for survival against a fresh menace. Remarkably, some of these Furyans bear a striking resemblance to Riddick that he never fathomed.

It appears that the Riddick saga might not be concluding as Vin Diesel hints at an expansion of the series, expressing excitement by saying, “The world of Riddick is growing… it’s awesome. Inspiring.” With the Fast and Furious series preparing to conclude with Fast XI, Diesel is now focusing on transforming Riddick into his next significant franchise.

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2025-02-18 17:32