Review of "The Mist"

The Mist is yet another adaptation of Stephen King. This time it is a short story from "The Skeleton Crew." Frank Darabont helms his third screen adaptation of King material; the first two were very successful; "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile." This time the material is quite different; essentially The Mist is not much more than a spooky horror story.

The story of the film has a group of people in a small town's grocery store being trapped in due to the sudden arrival of an omious mist. The characters are warned early on that there is something in the mist. Essentially, the characters attempt to survive and different factions begin to develop. In fact, one of the highlights of the film is the insight it gives on human nature under stress. As the fear and uncertainty grows; some of the people are drawn towards David Drayton, well played by Thomas Jane who is logical and attempts to deal with the mist in the best way for the people; he accepts the danger of the mist and finds himself confronting the religious fanatic Mrs.Carmody, played by Marcia Gay Harden. As the fear intensifies the people are drawn towards Mrs. Carmody; who proclaims the mist to be the judgement of God. Tension grows and the people learn that there is something in the mist.

The Mist is a look at the conundrum in regards to having too much faith or not enough. The film starts quickly and the tension slowly builds from there; when we see our first attack it offers a frightening glimpse of the tentacles of an unseen and gigantic creature beyond the thin doors of the loading bay. I loved the tension that slowly built; eventually the true horror was found inside the grocery store; the unchecked fanaticism of Mrs. Carmody was perhaps the most terrifying thing in the movie; undoubtedly there have been many such people as Mrs. Carmody throughout history; their illogical passion and over abundant, blind faith are more terrifying than anything the mist could have in store.

The film was shot in such a way that it felt real and visceral; no fancy camerawork or editing; we always were close to the characters and were immersed in their world; we were just as trapped in that store as they were. When the characters decide to go out into the mist it left me tense; the climax was thought-provoking and was accompanied by a haunting musical score. For those who haven't seen the film I will not say much more other than the ending is not your typical Hollywood ending. It is dark and surprising and left me speechless as the credits began to roll. It was just supposed to be a horror flick; yet it left quite an impression on me.

My Grade: B+