An All-Genre Modern Horror Classic

Rating: 7/10 (7 February 2008)

After suffering though a bad horror movie ("One Missed Call"), finally I get to watch a great one. The pedigree is there as this is derived from a Stephen King novella, and directed by Frank Darabont. One of my favorite movies of all time is "The Shawshank Redemption", which came with similar credentials.
A severe storm causes a mist to form around a Maine township. The main characters are trapped in a supermarket as this mist carries with it abominable monsters that seek to devour the populace. I know what you are thinking, that sounds like the plot a lame B-movie. However, in the hands of the director, writers and actors, this was translated into a chilling and disturbing morality play that transcends the baseness of the plot.
The movie follows main character David Drayton (played by Thomas Jane) as he brings his young son to the local supermarket to buy supplies after the storm. While they were inside, strange mist envelopes everything in town around them. Later it becomes obvious that the mist is not as innocent as it seems. There are blood-thirsty monsters that dwell in it, so no one could get out.
As expected, the longer they stayed trapped inside the supermarket, tensions began to rise as Drayton begins to have conflicts among the other townspeople with strong personalities . There was a lawyer Mr. Norton (Andre Braugher) who did not believe the monsters exist. And above all, there was Mrs. Carmody (sinisterly played by Marcia Gay Harden, in full camp), an unstable fire-and-brimstone religious fanatic. The tumultuous and violent interactions of these characters are so realistically palpable, that the audience is drawn into their difficult situation, fantastic as it maybe.
The tension is held throughout the two hours of screen time until the unbelievable climax. The ending is one that will disturb and haunt you. You will never forget it. (Not that I necessarily agree with what they decided to do...)
"This Mist" is an all-genre film. Aside from the blood and gore, there were scenes of heart-pounding action, drama, sci-fi, and even philosophical discussions, as well as religious ranting and persecution. This certainly lifts it beyond the run of the mill horror flick, and I would consider this a modern classic of the genre, together with "The Sixth Sense" and "The Others". Well recommended for lovers of horror films, like me.