Enter The Mist

Rating: 7/10 (11 March 2008)

Okay, I'm about to suggest something that is a complete oxymoron here, but what Frank Darabont delivers with "The Mist" is an intelligent horror movie adapted from a Stephen King novel. If anyone knows how to adapt the King, it's Darabont. The man always tells an awesome tale when he uses King's stories as his templates (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) and this here, their fourth collaboration together, continues the love affair to the exemplary standard we have grown accustomed.
Darabont is one of those master filmmakers who expertly crafts character and story to completely draw you in to the magic of cinematic atmosphere. What he accomplishes here is reminiscent of classic Hollywood horror, when it was more about the people reacting to the horror and less about the spectacle pf the horror itself. "The Mist" refuses to be your basic creature feature, or gory monster hack 'n' slash. It keeps its head throughout the mounting crisis' while remaining unpredictable (for the most part) and keeping things on the slow burn flame of tension. What's more is that the cast is exceptionally good. And I don't just mean simply in terms of a fine ensemble of quality support actors filling out the roles of the besieged townsfolk, I mean every performance is mannered and refined to the degree where you believe in them whole heartedly. There is not one bad egg amongst them. How very rare. Thomas Jane proves playing an everyman lead can be more than simply a thankless task as he keeps the balance of believability of a normal guy thrust into an extraordinary battle for survival. No out-of-the-blue shotgun heroics here. He simply reacts as many Fathers would under similar circumstances. Very controlled and very impressive. But the real plaudits must go to Marcia Gay Harden as the crazed religious zealot who rallies in the name of a most disturbing God for a sacrifice to prove they are worthy of entry into the pearly white gates of oblivion. She pretty much steals the show. Andre Braugher, with shorter screen time, also nabs a "why isn't he in bigger roles" award, demonstrating some brilliant thesping abilities during the early chaotic scramble to understand just what lies outside in the mist. But as I said, this is an ensemble piece and Jeffery DeMunn, Bill Sadler and Toby Jones are just as good.
What struck me beyond the performances was the remarkable thought put into the situation that unfolds. This story is about human fear and weakness. It's about what happens when we're all alone, in the dark, with no hope of rescue and what effect that has on different types of people. The best scene in the film takes place as a conversation between some of the core group that reflects these themes about what people will resort to when they are afraid and desperate to be saved. The subtext is subtle but still dominant enough for the story to be considered allegorical of modern day America with The Mist symbolic for not just the unknown, but fear itself. The script splinters characters into separate, opposing camps, each vying for leadership and control. Again this sparks to life the idea that there are underlying messages and metaphors within "The Mist" that comment on contemporary American culture, ranging from religion to social class.
Darabont's non-showy, almost laidback direction allows a fluid camera to drift quite elegantly through the scenes, slowly conjuring the foreboding without ramming it in anyone's face. The subtleties in the music score compliment the visuals, so no blaring orchestral emphasis every time something frightening is about to happen. It all blends efficiently to make this seem less like a horror and more like a character piece. The CGI is admittedly less impressive than the rest of it but thankfully the special effects are sparingly used. The set-pieces themselves occasionally stumble because of such a wide character canvas to cover but for the majority of the film it all pays-off the slow building tension nicely. Plus, lack of explicit gore makes for a welcome change from all these inane torture porn fests we keep on getting. Finally a horror movie the grandparents might enjoy too. Don't let that put you off it though.
If you have read anything on "The Mist" then you may know that the ending has been widely criticised. The reason? I ain't telling, except to say it is quite possibly the bleakest Hollywood ending in years. Frank Darabont's anti-Shawshank resolution but with the same message: Never give up hope. This is an elegantly produced supernatural horror that is about people rather than monsters, reminiscent of "The Birds" and "Night of the Living Dead." "The Mist" is a remarkable entry into the modern Hollywood horror cannon. As in; it's actually a good movie. Sincerely recommended.