It's beginning to look a lot like "Darkness," as a brand new trailer for director J.J. Abrams' upcoming "Star Trek" sequel has sailed online just in time to spread some holiday fear.

[article id="1698000"]Franchise newcomer Benedict Cumberbatch[/article] is front and center in the trailer, all but twirling his mustache as his still-unnamed villain monologues about the pain and suffering he's about to bring down upon the heads of Starfleet and their allies.

"You think your world is safe. It is an illusion," Cumberbatch's voice coolly threatens. "A comforting lie told to protect you. Enjoy these final moments of peace. For I have returned to have my vengeance."

Cut to a series of ominous, menacing shots: Spock exploring a volcanic planet, a starship emerging from the water, the Enterprise getting knocked around, Bones McCoy sprinting through the street, a new cadet played by Alice Eve screaming for her life, and James T. Kirk himself doing battle with his newest nemesis.

"So," Cumberbatch calls to Kirk as the Enterprise's captain approaches. "Shall we begin?"

Using Cumberbatch's challenge as a cue, the trailer closes out with a starship skidding across the water towards a city, bringing those "final moments of peace" to an end for all the unfortunate souls in the ship's general vicinity.

Though comparisons have been made between "Star Trek Into Darness" and "The Dark Knight," the new trailer more closely resembles the [article id="1672307"]first "Avengers" trailer[/article] (from Cumberbatch's Loki-esque monologue to a trailer-closing catastrophe) mixed with the deep musical groans that have grown so popular since "Inception." That's not a complaint, mind you; if the next "Star Trek" film has shades of "Avengers" and "Inception" to it, consider us firmly aboard.

Starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, "Star Trek Into Darkness" sets forth on May 17, 2013.

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Check out everything we've got on "Star Trek Into Darkness."