Riddick Sees the Light in “Pitch Black”- Spoiler!

It’s ironic that the beginning of “Pitch Black” starts with a spaceship marooned on a planet with 3 suns. Stuck in a place with a seemingly endless day, the survivors must figure out how to escape, and deal with hardened murderer Riddick. This might have made an interesting film all in itself, but when the suns do set, creatures emerge who are more bloodthirsty than our anti-hero who can see in the dark, and the dynamic changes. Suddenly, a man who has survived the harshest of conditions is pitted against the harshest of predators.

Riddick, motivated by the promise of freedom, does what he can to help the survivors escape the planet. Of course, he’s not without his agenda of getting rid of the bounty hunter Johns that had captured him and who was transporting him to “the slam.” After Johns is taken care of, Riddick heroically brings the few remaining survivors and fuel cells to the ship that was left by previous settlers. The ending scene of the film transforms Riddick’s life forever.

The pilot Fry has just gone back out into the dark to rescue Riddick after he has been fighting for his life. Bloodied, Riddick can hardly stand. Fry supports him and starts taking him back to the ship. She tells him that, “I said I’d die for them, not you.” Moments later she’s taken by one of the creatures. She dies to save Riddick, a man seemingly unworthy of such a sacrifice to everyone who’s ever met him as well as himself. His cries of, “Not for me!” are met by the pitch black of the cold, wet night. He understands the cost that was paid for his life, and it’s a cost he never asked for or expected. She didn’t have to go back for him. She could have left him there to die.

When they are safe in space, the child Jackie asks what they plan to say about him when they are found. Riddick replies with the most truthful answer that he can.

“Tell them Riddick’s dead. He died somewhere on that planet.”