Danika (2006)

Director:

Ariel Vromen

Writer:

Joshua Leibner (writer)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Her visions are beyond your worst fears...

Plot:

The story follows Danika, a woman whose fears for her children are manifested in premonitions of death and disaster. Bierko plays Tomei's husband, while Hall is her psychiatrist and confidant.

Plot Keywords:

Children | Psychiatrist | Premonition | Nightmare | Nanny

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Marisa Tomei	...	Danika Merrick
Hannah Marks	...	Lizzie Geralds
Guy Camilleri	...	Man
Akuyoe Graham	...	Patricia Guilford
Ori Pfeffer	...	Bank Robber #1
Jeffrey Nicholas Brown	...	Bank Robber #2 (as Jeffrey Brown)
Craig Bierko	...	Randy Merrick
Kyle Gallner	...	Kurt Merrick
Nicki Prian	...	Lauren (as Nicky Prian)
Ridge Canipe	...	Brian Merrick
Regina Hall	...	Evelyn Harris
Jacqueline Piñol	...	Nanny
James Avery	...	Teddy Johnson
Tanya Linette Smith	...	Sales Lady
John Ducey	...	TV Anchorman

Also Known As:

Danika (Greece) (DVD title) [el]
Visions - Die dunkle Gabe (Germany) (DVD title) [de]

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language, some sexual content and a scene of drug use.

Runtime:

USA:79 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Blue Omega Entertainment

Trivia:

Craig Bierko joined the cast the day before shooting began, replacing the original actor cast as Randy.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The movie is set in Baltimore, but in several scenes Los Angeles signage can be seen, including a billboard with an 818 area code.

Movie Connections:

References Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Soundtrack:

Black Dirt

Disturbingly Brilliant

I watched quite a few films last year, and "Danika" made it to the top of my list for intellectual quality and brilliance. It's hard to comment on it without giving away details and spoilers, so let me just say, this movie takes your full attention (don't cook dinner and try to keep up!) Tomei is NEVER a disappointment. It's a wonder she isn't in more films these days. She is a little older than her fresh-faced "Only You" days, but time has settled kindly on her, giving her more character instead of so-called 'flaws.' The ending will leave you in somewhat of a stunned silence, and then you will sit there and watch all of the loose ends tie themselves neatly together. You will not walk away from this movie confused or wondering what it was all about - unless you weren't paying close attention all along. I admit, there will be boo-hooers who dislike it because they haven't the patience or the depth to grasp the true meaning behind this film, but this is why Danika is a work of art and it's star a true artist. If it were neat and pat like any good mainstream film, it wouldn't be the hidden jewel that it is. Many will pass it by, others will scoff and tear it apart. Let them. Those who grasp it will be those who tend to think a bit deeper than the first layer of the onion. Danika is a piece of abstract art - viewing it from different angles, you will see details that aren't visible to the casual onlooker.

Not for the squeamish, pick it up sometime and give it the credit it deserves!