dark-places-poster-charlize-theron
Charlize Theron on an international poster for the upcoming Gillian Flynn adaptation, "Dark Places." Mandalay Vision

The popular author behind last fall’s adult hit “Gone Girl” has another film adaptation on the way. Gillian Flynn’s “Dark Places” is already headed to theaters in France next month, and the trailer makes it look like the film could be as devastating as “Gone Girl.”

Although Flynn wasn’t as involved as closely in the "Dark Places" production as she was with David Fincher’s "Gone Girl," the trailer suggests the film is equally gloomy. Here are some highlights from the trailer:

1. A chilling past: Charlize Theron (“Prometheus”) plays Libby, a woman still tormented after 30 years by the grisly murder of her family. But new revelations will force her to look at her past in a different light.

2. An underworld waiting to be discovered: The club Libby is introduced to at the 36-second mark is no ordinary club. Enthusiasts known as the Kill Club dedicate their activities to solving old crimes. The group alleges they have uncovered new information about Libby’s family’s case, and that leads her to their doorstep.

3. "Dark Places" is a woman's world: From the looks of the trailer and cast, female characters are going to feature much more prominently than they did in “Gone Girl.” Between Theron and cast members like Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Chloë Grace Moretz ("Kick-Ass") and Drea de Matteo (“Sons of Anarchy”), expect some powerful confrontations.

4. There will be tears: It's doubtful the split-second shot of Libby crying at 1:50 is the only time things are going to get really dark in a movie called “Dark Places.” Libby is no Amy from “Gone Girl”; she looks much more vulnerable as the story’s damaged protagonist.

"Dark Places," which also stars Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”), will open in the U.S. later this year.