Before Dark

Before Dark wrestles with the moral implications of cochlear implants on the deaf community. The story follows a young couple hiking the Appalachian Trail when they get into an argument over their unborn child.

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Both are deaf, Rebecca was born deaf while Joshua lost his hearing as a child. They argue over if their child should be given a cochlear implant if the child is born deaf. Both have opposing views on whether their child should be given the ability to hear or the gift of being deaf.

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Joshua, who has a faint memory of sound, wants to provide their child with the ability to hear. Rebecca, opposes this by insisting that being deaf is not a disability, but rather a culture. There is no disadvantage for the child if born deaf in her opinion.

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The film examines both point of views and challenges the viewers on who is right and if there is a morally correct answer.