Star Trek Into Darkness
Captain Kirk pursues a devastating terrorist across the stars while defending his crew, his command, and the principles of the Federation.
Overview
An unstoppable force threatens the very fabric of space exploration, forcing a crew to confront their deepest fears and loyalties.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- tense
- earnest
- blockbuster night
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as visually spectacular and action-packed, though less fresh and more formulaic than its predecessor.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kirk must pursue a terrorist threat while confronting the consequences of institutional violence and command authority.
The film uses the alternate continuity established by the 2009 Star Trek reboot while revisiting familiar characters and lore.
The Enterprise, alien worlds, fleet destruction, and effects-driven confrontations provide the film's defining visual scale.
Kirk's relationship with Spock and the Enterprise crew makes loyalty, friendship, and sacrifice central to the conflict.
Films like Star Trek Into Darkness, and why
Star Trek
shared space opera scale, ensemble crew dynamics, fast-paced science fiction adventure, and conflict with a terrorist threat
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
shared blockbuster space adventure, futuristic technology, moral tension, and visually spectacular action
Guardians of the Galaxy
shared science fiction action, militarized space setting, ensemble camaraderie, and high-stakes alien conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
- Release Date
- 2013-05-05
- Runtime
- 132 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (9893)
Cast
- Chris Pine
- Zachary Quinto
- Zoe Saldaña
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Karl Urban
- Simon Pegg
- Bruce Greenwood
- Peter Weller
- Alice Eve
- Anton Yelchin
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Star Trek Into Darkness about?
- Captain Kirk pursues a devastating terrorist across the stars while defending his crew, his command, and the principles of the Federation.
- What is Star Trek Into Darkness like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Star Trek Into Darkness as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Star Trek Into Darkness violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Star Trek Into Darkness as moderate.
- What did critics think of Star Trek Into Darkness?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as visually spectacular and action-packed, though less fresh and more formulaic than its predecessor.
- Which films are like Star Trek Into Darkness?
- Films with a similar feel include Star Trek, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
- How long is Star Trek Into Darkness?
- Star Trek Into Darkness runs 132 minutes.
- Where can I watch Star Trek Into Darkness?
- In United States, Star Trek Into Darkness streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Peacock Premium Plus.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Star Trek Into Darkness
- Star Trek: First Contact1996
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens2015
- Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol2011
- Star Trek: Nemesis2002
- Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...2014
- Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One2023
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock1984
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home1986
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 32023
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country1991
